Forbes has a habit of putting something like this out every few years.The "bad" thing about investing your IRA in real estate is that the main Wall Street players do not have control over your funds and the means to earn commissions selling financial instruments.His arguments are entirely tilted towards to negative and not providing any context or perspective.I could just as easily pick 3 or 4 historically bad stock investments (Enron) or high fee annuities, and make it sound like that was all that you could expect if you went to a conventional brokerage - which is clearly not the case.For someone who understands real estate as an asset class, there is the potential to have your IRA produce consistent returns and have true diversification away from the news-cycle volatility of conventional financial products.

They had the use of another sink while their kitchen sink was out of commission, yes?

But, if I can't create those 3 sentences and make them compelling, I'm not gonna spend the time to look at it deeper.Of course, most properties don't (arguably) have compelling theses, so people have to result in hand waving and distraction to make the seller feel like the commission is adding value.  

If the landlords are willing to consider selling their home, suggest that they can choose 2 appraisers, you split the cost of the appraisals, and then you can average the appraisals amounts from the 2 and they sell it at 4% below the averaged appraisal since they would not have to pay a realtor commission.

Any REALTOR who says this isn't a big deal should be reported to the the real estate commission...they're not qualified to provide an opinion on title.

Big name PMs know bulk of their commission goes to their big name company..I doubt they'd be as hungry as an independent. 

Conservatively, about 10% of your property's value is going to disappear when you go to sell via commissions, closing costs, etc. 

If you are working as an agent and collecting a commission then yes, you’ll have to use the state forms.

Which for wholesaling, there are plenty of disputes over these "real estate" "commissions."

Id be careful about trying to report someone to a real estate commission frivolously.