Self-Directed IRAs and Conversion of Hard Assets (Gold)

I love creative financing...attended a FREE webinar and learned that a Gold IRA is a self directed IRA. I always wondered if one can convert hard assets into "paper" Well the proof is in the pudding

A self-directed IRA allows account holders to buy the full range of allowable assets, including real estate, precious metals, private equity, stocks and more with their IRAs. Investors can turn any plan type (Traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SEP IRA, SIMPLE IRA, HSA) into a self-directed IRA as long as the account is held by a self-directed IRA custodian. Self-directed IRA plans have the same tax advantages as non self-directed IRAs.

What Does Self-Directed Mean?

"Self-directed" is a descriptive term, not an IRS term or legal distinction. Self-directed is most often used to indicate an IRA that can buy alternative or hard assets like real estate, gold, private equity, notes, etc.

People often use descriptive terms like "gold IRA" or "real estate IRA" to refer to a self-directed IRA that holds those particular assets.

Self-directed IRAs have existed since the inception of the Traditional IRA in the mid-1970s. The IRS has always allowed IRAs to purchase any asset except life insurance and ...

Has anyone used this approach to funding a real estate transaction? I would interested to get their perspective...