You can have an IRA-owned LLC (aka Checkbook IRA) to buy real estate with it or make any other alternative investments.

I am looking for advise on how to structure a deal that involves my fiancé and I buying her parents 4-Plex house.

As titled, I am looking to finally step out of my comfort zone and buy my first property.

It's going to be tough to buy a property without steady W2 income.  8k is a good start, but you might need to keep saving.  

But here’s what separates the long term successful investors from the wanna bes, the hopefuls, and the people attending every seminar and buying every mentorship and never establishing a successful track record1- the ability to IDENTIFY a deal - most deals are not  advertised at a great price - negotiation is needed.

The biggest question you need to ask yourself is if you are doing this to afford a property you otherwise couldn’t afford or to save money period, that will lead to very different conclusions about where/if to buy. 

Quote from @Lymarie Cervoni: Looking on using Direct-Mail Marketing for Off-market properties, any recommendations on which real estate investor list to buy to target the Tampa Bay area? 

Investment Info:Townhouse buy & hold investment in Baltimore.

If I were in your position, I would buy a duplex that has potential for value add, fix it up, live in one unit and rent out the other unit as a medium term rental or long term rental.

Investment Info:Single-family residence buy & hold investment.