I believe crow funding is early stage and is an exciting way to increase my returns especially looking a head to retirement I have only heard of these platforms on Bigger Pockets and I welcome info on your company .

We have a goal of owning enough real estate (buy and hold) to provide a middle class family living so he can retire (I own my firm and my office is in our home so no retiring for me).We have just jumped head first in to real estate investing with our fingers crossed and a ton of prayers said by purchasing a commercial parcel in Ocean Shores which we are designing a multi-family rental for and purchasing at auction an occupied single family home (I'm still cringing).I am slowly learning as I've been "trolling" this site for a couple of months now. 

I relied on a friend of a friend recommendation/connection and frankly now that I am retired I'm just a little bit lazy :-0 !

I took an early retirement a few years ago and am on on a fixed income that is about maxed as far as the banks are concerned in regards to additional loans.I'm new to this type if investing and I know I am missing a lot here, but if you have equity in a property, and the property is used as collateral, shouldn't this be considered by the bank in addition to your income.Thanks for your time,Brad

He was retired and was moving out of state to live in a senior community.  

"Dont Risk It"I know you are looking into Checkbook Controlled but the prohibited transactions apply to both retirement accounts.Hope this helps!

And while I do try to put in money into my company IRA account (they match 3%), should I really be putting the rest of the money into my retirement account?

Your personal financial position will play on the right choice, are you retiring in 18 years or 8 years, and too much equity can be difficult and expensive to take out of the walls later on.I don't hold very long, at about 7 to 10 years the depreciation falls with less of an advantage, that means it goes up for sale.

For those who are not aware of the Solo 401k, it's super beneficial --> http://www.irs.gov/Retirement-Plans/One-Participant-401%28k%29-PlansI'd like to set up a Solo 401k for my rental income and I'm wondering if anyone else here is doing that, and if so, how you structure your rentals.

The lab director at the genetics lab, who is nearing retirement, has done well with both rentals and fix-and-flips.