Self-directed retirement account investing does enable investors to have the cake and it too - but not all at once.Best of luck!   

@Travis Timmons he said it all.You're wanting your cake and to eat it too.

Cannot have your cake and eat it too (take the payments but then say invalid contract)If it’s a contract for deed (which sucks in Missouri as it would have been faster to have a traditional deed of trust and note), it may state they are responsible for upkeep of the propertyBut if there are no violations and they are making payments you will have a difficult argument to take property backAs mentioned get an attorney

Hey @Ian Skjervem - lots of good questions - the reality is there is no one way to slice this cake. 

However, If you were to be "paid out" for your equity, there would be a tax consequence to you - whether it be a direct sale or disguised sale.Basically, you can't have your cake and eat it, too.

Cash flow is icing on the cake but does not compare to equity growth.

The below does not account for tax benefit's, depreciation and mortgage pay-down, that is a separate page coined "icing on the cake" and with aggregate returns.     

If you think building and flipping is going to be a piece of cake, it will not, You need to find land, and all that is associated with building, 6-month process or longer. 

Appreciation will just be the icing on the cake!

Taking bookings is cake really and I vet each and every guest.