Quote from @Katie Accashian: I am looking to take money from my retirement that I accumulated from my previous employer and move it into a self directed IRA to buy a real estate investment.

Traditional bank loans can be slow and have strict requirements, while hard money and private lending seem to offer more flexibility.For those who’ve secured funding before, what’s been your experience?

My tenants just notified me that their unit got broken into and money was stolen.

To get things "shaking and my blood pumping again" lol as money is tight.

The same money could buy 1-2 full properties that would rent for more, depending on the market you choose. 

For the most part, most lenders are going to be relatively close in cost assuming we are talking about a straight forward loan product, we all borrower from the same pool of money to make these loans. 

I would rather do this and retain my money then give it to the bank as interest. 

If I need by some chance I need extra money I can fund it with money from my side business.

I have not received any return on my money. 

You can use seller financing, or you can use hard or private money.