And any property you purchase with an IRA you have to keep at "arms length", meaning you can't change a freaking light bulb if one burns out; EVERYthing needs to be done by 3rd parties.

I don't mean to go against the grain of those who are selling that idea - all I can say is that it did not work for me.So.......... back to taking seminars, buying cassette tapes and books - I wanted to learn everything I could about investing in real estate ---- so--I had to get money, working capital, and I needed to go on the cheap - A friend told me about cheap properties you could buy in Baltimore - houses for only $2-3,000 and many of them could be found at public auctions.After borrowing some money and getting some credit cards and a new job - one in sales - I was ready - ready to invest in cheap- junk properties in the City.And wouldn't you know it - I got lucky at my first auction and purchased a cheap house that was boarded up - Because of all those expensive seminars I enrolled in I WAS READY - prepared with my pry-bar, flash light, level, marble and probe - I decided to go to this building that was being auctioned the next day - I sort of removed some plywood and crawled through a window to take a look -Boy was I surprised - this place looked great - I later found out that the estate boarded it to keep squatters out.The next day - I was ready with my deposit and waiting for the auctioneer to start his melodious hypnotic chant - 5 bidders appeared but did not bid because they could not get it - I was the only bidder and got the house real cheap.Today as an auctioneer, investor and developer of commercial properties - if someone would ask my opinion on how to get started I would suggest ---Continue to study but learn how to cut through the BSGet a credit line Learn 20 creative financing techniques - no money down systems (that is none of your own money)Hang with a few successful investors and pick - pick - pick their brain*** Look at 50 houses in the area you intend to invest (not expensive, blue collar, mixed rental and home owner neighborhoods)When you are finished looking at 50 properties - you will be armed with knowledge that most agents and other investors don't have - knowledge of values -Keep a journal, put listings in it, write down everything the agent or owner says, keep a record of the cost per square foot - this will help determine values -Have agents send you expired listings - go knock on the door or send a letter to ask if they are still accepting offers on the property - Remember an expired listed is a property that failed to sell - the seller should still be motivated to sell. 

You can also refinance an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) into a fixed rate mortgage"Let me know if this helps at all!

Lots of new good paying jobs have moved to the area, and they are experiencing double digit real estate growth year over year.  

Title companies do not cast judgments on these types of deals as long as they are arms length.. your risks are the bank gets wind of the transfer and calls the note.. as long as you have the ability to refi or pay it off.. to protect the 15k or so you going to put into it.I don't know about UTAH but there are some very tough rules in OR and WA when dealing with someone in foreclosure.. is this their primary resi or investment? 

Each will probably need to stand alone "at arm's length".

If it is a short sale the transaction would need to be arms length.

You show the property's value through a variety of methods but two of the most common and successful approaches are 1) testimony from a licensed appraiser, or 2) showing that you purchased the property recently in an arms length transaction.

Each transaction will need to stand alone and be "at arm's length".You may need transactional funding on the A -> B transaction and you'll need to watch out for title seasoning requirements on the B -> C transaction.Whatever you put together, do your homework and vet it with your attorney and the title company agents.

That is what I do with my SD IRA, I also am a managing partner of a fund which invests in notes and allows sophisticated and accredited investors to make double digit returns in a passive position.