IMO, which is very conservative as I will soon make self-evident, there are some topics that, the willingness to discuss as a viable alternative an unethical or illegal act, does indict one as being unethical. 

@Jillian JohnsonFollowing is some information regarding the self-directed IRA LLC.The Checkbook IRA Do’sDo open the checkbook IRA bank account in the name of the LLC, not in your personal name.Do use the LLC employer identification number (EIN) when opening the checkbook IRA bank account.Do title checkbook IRA investments in the name of the LLC, not your personal name.Do pay investment expenses associated with the checkbook IRA assets (e.g. for a real-estate property, this entails paying property taxes, property insurance and repair costs) using checkbook IRA funds not personal funds.Do deposit investment gains into the checkbook IRA bank account.Do manage the checkbook IRA but do not receive compensation for doing so.Do make IRA annual contributions to the self-directed IRA first not the checkbook IRA.The Don’tsDo not use the checkbook IRA funds for your personal use.Do not use the checkbook IRA assets (e.g., for a rental property, do not live or vacation in the property).Do not perform repairs on real-estate property owned by the checkbook IRA as you are a disqualified party.Do not deposit personal funds into the checkbook IRA bank account.Court cases that support the Checkbook IRA arrangement Swanson v.

Dealer is someone who makes a living off buying properties, and must, therefore, pay an additional self-employment tax (if I understand this correctly).  

I'll put this strategy against a self directed IRA any day. 

This is known as the self-sufficiency rule.

He's with Self Storage  101.  

True, you can get into a 2-4 units for less, just like a sfr conventional loan.I like 5+ commercial loans even though the LTV is higher, the DSCR demonstrates the property IS self-sufficent (aka cash flows and that was my goal in REI). 

Regardless of how new everything is, you should still budget monthly reserves for CapEx, OpEx and vacancy, until each property has built up sufficient reserves.

it should be self explanatory. 

Its tough, do you self manage  ?