They then missed out on several more years of growth because they got out of the game and waited on the sidelines for things to look better. 2010 to 2012 was the period that cash investors were the players or those with IRA keep in mind investor loans were still basically non existent in those years for all those expect very well to do Investors beginners were not getting investor loans. 

Their rates are good but boy, they looked at my financials and ask some funny questions such as asking for proof that I could withdraw funds from my SEP IRA account, and that I need to provide documentation to verify that  this employer sponsored retirement account allows for funds to be withdrawn, or if withdrawals could only be made in connection with the borrowers employment termination, retirement or death etc. everyday they sent me something new to answer.

I am also a huge fan of real estate and for the past 50 years there's been a way to combine both.By leveraging a Self-Directed IRA, real estate investors enjoy both the traditional advantages of property ownership and the additional tax benefits of retirement accounts, creating a powerful wealth-building strategy.

If you’re interested in investing in real estate, you can consider doing so with a Self-Directed IRA to defer taxes on capital gains until you actually withdraw the funds from your IRA.

Of course - having a w-2 job will never prevent you from setting up an IRA including a self-directed IRA.If yes, how can I fund it?

If 1031 is to be implemented it must be done on the property level.2. 1031 generally does not apply to IRAs since they are tax-exempt. 3.

Your scenario is possible but not probable...admittedly I have never done what you suggest I've been the seller financing sales in my IRA, but I have read several BP contributors that have substituted collateral.

It's a part of my self directed IRA.

I have no investment experience, only stock market and IRA’s, but I hope to learn a lot from professionals on this forum.

Investing through them was an extremely costly experience, and cleaned out a significant portion of my IRA funds.