Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k SimilaritiesBoth were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions; andBoth are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(mThe Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k DifferencesIn order to open a solo 401k, self-employment, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, is required;To open a self-directed IRA, self-employment income is not required;In order to gain IRA checkbook control over the self-directed IRA funds, a limited liability companyThe Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k DifferencesIn order to open a solo 401k, self-employment, whether on a part-time or full-time basis, is required;To open a self-directed IRA, self-employment income is not required;In order to gain IRA checkbook control over the self-directed IRA funds, a limited liability company (IRA LLC) must be utilized;The solo 401k allows for checkbook control from the onset;The solo 401k allows for personal loan known as a solo 401k loan;It is prohibited to borrow from your IRA;The Solo 401k may be invested in life insurance;The self-directed IRA may not be invested in life insurance;The solo 401k allow for high contribution amounts (for 2018, the solo 401k contribution limit is $55,000, whereas the self-directed IRA contribution limit is $5,500);The solo 401k business owner can serve as trustee of the solo 401k;The self-directed IRA participant/owner may not serve as trustee or custodian of her IRA; instead, a trust company or bank institution is required;When distributions commence from the solo 401k a mandatory 20% of federal taxes must be withheld from each distribution and submitted electronically to the IRS by the 15th of the month following the date of each distribution;Rollovers and/or transfers from IRAs or qualified plans (e.g., former employer 401k) to a solo 401k are not reported on Form 5498, but rather on Form 5500-EZ, but only if the air market value of the solo 401k exceeds $250K as of the end of the plan year (generally 12/31);When funds are rolled over or transferred from an IRA or 401k to a self-directed IRA, the amount deposited into the self-directed IRA is reported on Form 5498 by the receiving self-directed IRA custodian by May of the year following the rollover/transfer.Rollovers (provided the 60 day rollover window is satisfied) from an IRA to a Solo 401k or self-directed IRA are reported on lines 15a and 15b of Form 1040;Pre-tax IRA contributions on reported on line 32 of Form 1040;Pre-tax solo 401k contributions are reported on line 28 of Form 1040;Roth solo 401k funds are subject to RMDs;A Roth 401k may be transferred to a Roth IRA (Note that from a planning perspective, it may be advantageous to transfer Roth Solo 401k funds to a Roth IRA before turning age 70 ½ in order to escape the Roth RMD requirement applicable to Roth 401k contributions including Roth Solo 401k contributions and earnings.)

Perhaps businesses would be better served by this kind of storage as they don't care what it looks like, just whether or not it is safe and accessible.Think of your customer: if you are Joe and Jane Smith looking for a place to park your prized 1968 Camaro-SS, do you want a traditional, climate controlled roll up door that comes with a paved parking lot, security cameras, high fences, and 24/7 access, or do you want what amounts to a metal box?

You have no control over how the other party will react to your offer.

If not it might be worth looking into going to another bank or CU that does have a promotional first year rate to open a new HELOC with.Some other advantages or disadvantages of the HELOC could be that you wouldn't have a draw schedule or fund control requirement that you'd likely have with a construction loan, which can be laborious.

I already have the subs like hvac plumbing pest control etc.

We're going through the same process right now and are inclined to create one LLC per property with a Corp as controlling entity.Even though some states do not require you to register the entity on that state (in Ohio is preferably but not mandatory for example), if you would to have any legal issues, you would need to be registered to conduct business in that state.

Of course if you could acquire ALL of the neighboring buildings, you could have much greater control and rental price influence.My guess is that the owners of these buildings are essentially just parking money and not pursuing a value-add strategy.How do you all approach this sub-sector of Multifamily? 

I'm just hesitant to flip when there are so few variables in my control and even fewer people in my area doing it for any length of time.

@Rick C.I worked as a Pest Control Technician for 5 years and owned a Pest Control business for a few years after that so I’ve seen my share of bed bugs.

A "simple" question but get different answers from rent control office and property management company: is my unit under rent control?