SDIRA with LLC vs No LLC /close to retirement

[Kiki Helland]

Hello BP community, I hope this is the best discussion on BP to post my questions!

I am diversifying my investments using a SDIRA that I intent to transfer my various traditional retirement accounts to.  My current plan is to take most of my retirement funds which will be more than $50K, so I believe it wouldn't work to set up a Solo 401K.  I plan to purchase either one, maybe two SFRs or MF in Washington or Oregon, and fund the rest with a non-recourse loan(s) to hold and rent with a PM. 

My dilemma is whether it makes sense to create an LLC to reduce fees for transactions. I have found some SDIRA custodians that charge $0 fees for ACH transactions, for example to receive PM disbursements, pay for maintenance, etc. Of course there are other fees to set up SDIRA, review/send documents, purchase investment, etc... I also see that in California, I need to pay a yearly LLC fee of about $800. So, moving forward that $800 is likely more than fees I would be paying to a custodian, especially if I plan to buy and hold for at least 5 years.

Does my thought process make sense? 

Also, are there other ways to purchase investment property that may be better suited to my situation?

Additional considerations:  

1. I am about 10 years away from retirement. Considering best way to grow passive income with less tax liability. 

2. My husband has other investment accounts that we will not use for real estate investment. He is almost reaching retirement age, but plans to continue to work. 

3. I work for employer that sponsors a 457K plan - no matching though. 

4. All my retirement accounts are free to transfer to a SDIRA..

5. We own other real estate investment properties in California and Oregon.

I'd appreciate any feedback!  And of course, we will do our due diligence with any investment opportunity we consider or are presented. 

Thanks to all