Self-Directed IRAs: Seeking Best Practices and Recommendations

[Dave Mason]

I'm looking to transfer my current ROTH IRA to be self-directed in order to be able to invest in real estate and other similar deals.

In order to do this, I'll need to transfer all or part of it away from TDAmeritrade. I'm looking for recommendations of the best place to transfer the money into in order to do these deals. I prefer using bigger national companies to a small or local bank. 

I'm wondering: which institution will give me the most control and the easiest time managing the IRA?

Also, are there some best practices that I need to follow or avoid in order to go down this path?

I've seen some previous posts on this that were a few years old, but I know things change, so I wanted to get some updated information.

Thanks,

Dave