If you aren’t comfortable making those decisions, then being a rental property owner may not be the right choice.

I'm a big proponent of Indianapolis for SFR, but Greenwood is a much better choice for MF. 

—Subsection (a) of section 408, as21 amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is amend22 ed by adding at the end the following new paragraph:23 ‘‘(8) No part of the trust funds will be invested24 in a corporation, partnership or other unincor25 porated enterprise, or trust or estate if—Pg. 6941 ‘‘(A) in the case of an entity with respect2 to which interests described in clause (i), (ii), or3 (iii) are not readily tradable on an securities4 market, 10 percent or more of—5 ‘‘(i) the combined voting power of all6 classes of stock entitled to vote or the total7 value of shares of all classes of stock of8 such corporation,9 ‘‘(ii) the capital interest or profits in10 terest of such partnership or enterprise, or11 ‘‘(iii) the beneficial interest of such12 trust or estate,13 is owned (directly or indirectly) or held by the14 individual on whose behalf the trust is main15 tained, or16 ‘‘(B) the individual on whose behalf the17 trust is maintained is an officer or director (or18 an individual having powers or responsibilities19 similar to officers or directors) of such corpora20 tion, partnership, or other unincorporated en21 terprise.22 For purposes of subparagraph (A), the constructive23 ownership rules of paragraphs (4) and (5) of section24 4975(e) shall apply, and any asset or interest heldPage 6951 by the trust shall be treated as held by the indi2 vidual described in such subparagraph.’’.

We have 2 loan scenarios: FHA with 3% interest rate and 3.5%($17,000) down BUT we have to claim $150k of income on our tax returns for 2 years and pay IRS 90K (2 years worth) total in taxes because we are self employed. 2nd scenario: private lender offering 4.5% interest rate with 5% ($27,000) down 8 year interest only loan converting to fixed thereafterwhats the wise choice?

When we closed, I hand delivered a pre-written letter to both of them detailing who I was, the rental rates the comps supported and gave them a choice to either break their lease early, sign an early renewal (their lease don't expire until 12/31) at a lower than market rate, or just ride out the rest of the lease and move in the dead of winter.

Many investors use hard money to get the deal and do the rehab, then either sell it for profit or refi into a lower rate 30year fixed to hold it for cash flow.Choices, choices...Cheers!

If its the 3rd choice you will need to be concerned about financing as hml will eat up your profits. 

I’d love to help them, and make it a beneficial deal for us both.

Given that the liability protection really isn't relevant the basic choice is the tax benefit of investing via a self-directed retirement vehicle versus the limitation of investment opportunities with making this choice. 

@Blake Carlile good choice!