I even wonder if I can have my eventually very high Roth IRA buy these assets from me if they still end up being tax inefficient (but this feels like a stretch).

A lot of forum members are very knowledgeable in their respective fields related to real estate investing, whether that is real estate sales, wholesaling, flipping, rentals, lending, self-directed IRA and Solo 401k investing, or tax and legal guidance.

A lot of forum members are very knowledgeable in their respective fields related to real estate investing, whether that is real estate sales, wholesaling, flipping, rentals, lending, self-directed IRA and Solo 401k investing, or tax and legal guidance.Discounts on some products and services are offered to BP members: https://www.biggerpockets.com/perks/proIf you haven’t been to it already, you might want to check out the BP blog: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/The site has quite a few tools that can be helpful for new members.

“How to invest in real estate without banks” is one and the other is “IRA 401k income builder”  

I came across the following article lately that I think sheds light on this concept:http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/05/us-usa-property-reits-analysis-idUSKBN0L927G20150205The other point I would make is that, in an IRA at least, one can leverage when making direct real estate investing but not when purchasing shares of a REIT.  

In 2011, 2012, and 2013 I just bought one little rental condo at a time with 20-25% down, cashed in my IRA, refinanced my house, and invested hard earned dollars in those down payments. 

Unfortunately, your licenses will expire after 2 years if you aren't represented by a Broker/Dealer or IRA. 

So you have some options that those with less capital have.Some ideas1) Invest through your IRA or other retirement program.

Great for my paper investment portfolio, so long as it's in a tax shelter like a Roth IRA, but not very tax efficient outside a tax shelter. 

If it is under $5 or $10 K it is usually meaningless, but If they have the equivalent of a year of rent, on top of reasonable income for day to day, I might consider, and if they have major savings/IRA there is no issue.