@Patricia MillerFrom the self-directed standpoint, a good understanding of the prohibited transaction rules is key.

Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both 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(m).The 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 2016, the solo 401k contribution limit is $53,000, 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.)

I have yet to jump into the Short-sale market and was wondering what or if any land mines there might be and I guess I found this here and seems quite plausable that bank would prohibit this (though I suppose the owner's could move out for a while and move back in...but too much of hassel and not worth the risks).

The only place appropriate to do that here is in our Marketplace.It is wholly inappropriate to take a thread asking for advice and trying to sell your services in it -- that's called hijacking and is prohibited here.

XIX.SUBJECT TO/DUE-ON-SALE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: IF CHECKED : COMPANY. as Buyer have entered in to a certain purchase and sales agreement date herewith, the parties fully understand, acknowledge and agree as follows: 1.Seller and Buyer are fully aware that the mortgage(s)/deeds of trust securing the property Described in Section I contain(s) provisions prohibiting the transfer of any interest in the property without satisfying the principal balance remaining on the underlying loans and/or obtaining the lender’s prior written consent (i.e., a “due-on-sale†clause), and that this transaction may violate said mortgage. a.Seller specifically understands that this loan will be paid on a monthly basis by buyer, but will not be assumed or paid off completely at this time, and that this loan and loan payments will remain in Seller’s name and may continue to appear on Seller’s credit report. 2.Seller and Buyer execute this disclosure form after having had the opportunity to seek legal counsel as to the legal and financial implications of the due-on-sale clause.

However, you will not have anyone protecting your interests in the transaction (dual agency is in most cases not a good idea, and the listing agent's broker may have rules prohibiting it, as many of them are doing now for ethical and liability reasons).

XIX.SUBJECT TO/DUE-ON-SALE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: IF CHECKED : ________________________________ Land Trust, as Buyer have entered in to a certain purchase and sales agreement date herewith, the parties fully understand, acknowledge and agree as follows: 1.Seller and Buyer are fully aware that the mortgage(s)/deeds of trust securing the property Described in Section I contain(s) provisions prohibiting the transfer of any interest in the property without satisfying the principal balance remaining on the underlying loans and/or obtaining the lender’s prior written consent (i.e., a “due-on-sale†clause), and that this transaction may violate said mortgage. a.Seller specifically understands that this loan will be paid on a monthly basis by buyer, but will not be assumed or paid off completely at this time, and that this loan and loan payments will remain in Seller’s name and may continue to appear on Seller’s credit report. 2.Seller and Buyer execute this disclosure form after having had the opportunity to seek legal counsel as to the legal and financial implications of the due-on-sale clause.

: Buyer have entered in to a certain purchase and sales agreement date herewith, the parties fully understand, acknowledge and agree as follows: 1.Seller and Buyer are fully aware that the mortgage(s)/deeds of trust securing the property Described in Section I contain(s) provisions prohibiting the transfer of any interest in the property without satisfying the principal balance remaining on the underlying loans and/or obtaining the lender’s prior written consent (i.e., a “due-on-sale” clause), and that this transaction may violate said mortgage. a.Seller specifically understands that this loan will be paid on a monthly basis by buyer, but will not be assumed or paid off completely at this time, and that this loan and loan payments will remain in Seller’s name and may continue to appear on Seller’s credit report. 2.Seller and Buyer execute this disclosure form after having had the opportunity to seek legal counsel as to the legal and financial implications of the due-on-sale clause.

There is a new law that prohibits landlords from collecting rent on any structure that does not have a COO stating otherwise.

I just called the town hall of the city I was going to place bandit signs in and they informed me that any type of bandit sign is prohibited.