On the lending side, we see a lot of private individuals that try to lend out of their IRA just because the borrower is a "good guy".

When an IRA borrows money, it needs to use a Non-Recourse loan.

Initially I was planning to withdraw Roth IRA $ to invest. 

IRA funds can be used to make investments only; they can't be used to buy a residence.

In 2017 I had zero debt, a good job and was leveraging my 401k… I have traded that philosophy to acquire large amounts of debt, no 401k or IRA contributions and now have the freedom to control my own financial destiny.Below are the steps I took to remove myself from my W-2 (and 30 years of working for someone else) and obtain a career as a real estate investor:Step 1 (Education): Read and listen to as many books and podcasts as possible.

Holding EXEMPT (from bankruptcy forfeiture) assets, holding assets in exempt entities (retirement accounts, pensions, IRAs, in some states insurance and annuities), homestead exemption, remote entity protection (LLC, Serial LLC, Corporations, Limited Partnerships,) Asset Protection Trusts, using separation of assets for married individuals (in certain states) charitable remainder trust, etc. can be very effective though can be costly. 

IRA annual max 7k vs 401k $69k.  

Of course the co-signer should be significantly stronger in ALL areas as compared to the applicant...usually this is a parent or relative, and they should be well established, with ownership of real estate for years; long and stable employment; no, or very distant, criminal and traffic court records; well funded SAVINGS/IRA's or stock market accounts.

Hi Audris, I use Equity Trust as my SD IRA custodian.

In a few years, if I do decide to leave the United States and work in another country, how would my Roth IRA and High Yield Savings account be affected?