However, if your state's statute of frauds and conveyance act requires that the contract for purchase be witnessed and acknowledged to record then you just recorded on the land records an improperly executed instrument.It would be more desirable to executed a bond for deed (if you intend on recording your contract)which is normally acknowledged, witnessed, and attaches a legal description.)

Contract law is clear that consideration is necessary, but that for a real estate transaction, the promise to sell (and the promise to buy) real property is considered consideration.That said, if you expect a contract dispute, having an EM deposit may help strengthen you legal standing, but it's certainly not required for a valid contract.

The homes I sell are because I have built a pretty strong bond with my buyer previously, or because it is such a smoking deal that I have multiple offers.

@Michael LeeBoth a SD IRA and a Solo 401k can receive transfers from your wife's existing IRA and then be able to invest into a huge array of assets including both traditional (stocks, bonds, mutual funds) and alternative (real estate, precious metals, private companies, tax liens, etc) assets.There are several differences between the 2 retirement structures, however.

The good part is he and I deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and have been through some interesting things together and the bonds we have tend to be strong.

Even a 5% gain in modest investments in bonds and stocks is way better than losing 3% to cash (full disclosure: I do keep cash reserves for capex/vacancies of rentals).

The artwork theme can be action movies, Quentin Tarrantino movies, James Bond movies, ships, hunting dogs, duck hunting, deer hunting, sports, World War 2 Go USA propaganda, Clint Eastwood/John Wayne Westerns, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rock Music, etc. 

Between savings, bonds, credit and potently gutting an IRA I could scrape up about 10 to 12k.

Forgot....the Act requires originators to be insured and bonded.

I purchased investments in SLF I, SLF II, SLF Opportunity Fund I, SLF V and a number of Fixed Income Fund bonds.