They allow retirement account owners to invest money in assets that your traditional IRA or 401k would not.

Hi Jasmine,Mynd is a traditional full-service brokerage.

If you’re short on down payments, here are a few strategies to consider:Leverage Equity: If you own any properties with equity, consider tapping into that through a cash-out refinance or HELOC to fund your down payments.Seek Joint Ventures: Partner with other investors who can provide the down payment while you manage the property or contribute in other ways.Explore Creative Financing: Look into options like seller financing or lease options, which might require less upfront capital and can be structured to fit your needs.Consider Private/Hard Money Lenders: These lenders can offer flexible terms and quicker approval compared to traditional banks.

We use OwnerRez + PriceLabs for a traditional STR we own which I've been very happy with. 

Buy your next deal using a traditional mortgage and your own name.

If those home is paid off and the equity is only needed for a short time, taking out a more traditional HELOC might make more sense.

What factors do you consider when deciding between traditional financing and private money lending for real estate deals? 

Hard money loans can facilitate faster closing times compared to traditional financing, allowing you to secure and renovate properties quickly.

As far as loan differences, I'd connect with an investor friendly lender to go over the pros & cons of FHA (3.5%) & Conventional (5%) if you want to go traditional financing route. 

If your network likes the pure equity play, you should offer that.With the "debt" financing, are you planning on using this as your mortgage, with no "traditional" mortgage ahead of it?