@Dennis HertzlerIf you wish to derive income from flipping real estate, a self directed IRA will not be the right vehicle.  

But sites like: Zillow, Redfin, etc. are not very accurate source to derive comps.

It also is loosely derived from underwriting guidelines. 70% is the amount that a lot of lenders will lend against an investment property.

In the event you conduct an operating business inside the IRA, all income is subject to UBIT.Lastly, if you're able to pay off your mortgage a full 12 months prior to the sale (zero debt ratio calculation at time of filing) of your real estate, you can avoid UBIT taxation on any of the gains you derive at sale.

The percentage of the income derived from debt-financing is taxed and you get to use the same percentage of normal write-offs like depreciation, interest payments on the note, etc. to reduce the tax amount.  

I only look deeper into properties I could afford which is a small percentage.I understand some large companies are putting derivatives from rent on these properties into the stock market and that pension plans buy heavily into them.

Gold that is derived from good applicants.  

Other than deriving some of the rental income as "revenue" for your asset management company, how is this any different than an investor buying an investment building?  

Make sure you treat the vacation rental as a business investment as well as deriving personal use and enjoyment.

Eric - you are quite right and in states like NY there are additional differences for income derived from real estate and whether you are classed as an active or passive RE investor.for an Ami investing abroad there are also advantages of getting to take a working business trip annually to check on your investment property and write it off as a necessary expense if it meets criteria - other countries have similar - dont know the details though.