I would move slowly and make sure the partner does have legitimate experience before considering one.With the money you're making you would be foolish if you're not banking a ton of it in a self directed retirement account, whether it be IRA, SEP IRA, 401(k), or ROTH 401(k) and perhaps even one with check book control. 

Should I transition my current Traditional IRA to a Self-Directed ROTH IRA or keep it as a Self-Directed TRADITIONAL IRA before investing?

When you say "I am pulling funds from an IRA" do you mean you are taking distribution from an IRA and want to use those funds to buy investment property in your name or do you wish to rollover your IRA into self-directed IRA and buy the property inside of your SD IRA?

Hello, I am posting to see if anyone has had experience with a lender that specializes in loans for Self Directed IRA's?

It may be impossible to find but this could be another option- Not a 100% positive on if the rate <5% now but a loan secured by your IRA (if you have one) is one of the lower rate options out there- Bringing on an equity partner in the deal and giving them a higher percentage of equity at a lower debt cost.

Option 3 is tap some of my retirement pension tax deferred IRA.

I max out my SEP IRA, 401K, and HSA to reduce my tax burden.

Has anyone used a self directed IRA to purchase real estate? 

OR is US based software that can be used without having to use US based elements.I am not sure if the majority of US based systems have US centric aspects built into the software or can be used omitting the non relevant items for Canadians (as most know here, we use RRSPs not 401(k)s, TFSAs not ROth IRAs, partnership income not K1s etc).Thanks!

Dawn and all,Great discussion going on here.I am in the midst of my first property purchase of a buy and hold that I am doing as a 3-way LLC with family members, all using our IRA monies with no borrowing due to not being able to find a non recourse lender for this particular property (age, price, etc)It has become apparent that to grow our real estate business to 'the next level' we will need to find Private Money to leverage our IRA assets.