Can You Still Use an IRA LLC or Trust to Buy Real Estate in Today’s Market?
by Peter Rizzo
Yes, you can. And plenty of investors still do. The reasons haven’t changed much in 2025, but the way these structures work and how they help you adapt to today’s real estate market is worth going over again.
Let’s break it down simply.
Quick refresher: what’s an IRA LLC or IRA Trust?
Both structures are designed to give you direct control over your IRA’s investments without needing your custodian to approve every move.
IRA LLC
With an IRA LLC, your IRA invests into a limited liability company that you manage. That LLC opens a bank account, and from there you can sign contracts, pay vendors, and manage the investment directly.
It’s often called a checkbook IRA because you literally get checkbook control.
IRA Trust
The IRA Trust works similarly but uses a specially designed trust instead of an LLC. The IRA becomes the sole beneficiary of the trust, and you act as the trustee. Like with the LLC, the trust has its own bank account and gives you the ability to manage transactions without waiting on a custodian.
For many people, the trust setup is faster to create and simpler to maintain. There are fewer state filing requirements, no annual LLC fees, and often a bit more privacy.
Why these setups still matter in 2025
Even though the market is different from a couple of years ago, both the IRA LLC and IRA Trust structures are still useful for one big reason: speed and control.
Here’s why that matters now more than ever.
- The market moves quickly
Even in a slower or more cautious real estate market, the good deals go fast. Sellers looking to unload quickly, wholesalers with time-sensitive properties, or auction sales all reward fast action.
If you’re relying on your custodian to approve every step, you’ll probably miss out.
With an IRA LLC or IRA Trust, you can:
- Wire earnest money the same day
- Sign contracts immediately
- Make decisions in real time without bottlenecks
That kind of flexibility is hard to beat.
- Rentals and cash flow still make sense
Rents are holding up in many areas, and interest in cash-flowing properties remains strong. Whether it’s a long-term rental, a vacation property, or a duplex in an up-and-coming neighborhood, these investments can still work—if you run the numbers honestly.
Having direct control lets you:
- Pay contractors or property managers quickly
- Collect rent and pay expenses from the same account
- Make ongoing decisions without delays
Check current rental trends and housing data on FRED to help you evaluate whether a property will cash flow.
- More deals are off-market
In 2025, some of the best opportunities aren’t listed publicly. Investors are getting creative with marketing, networking, and wholesaling. These deals often come with tighter timelines and unusual terms.
With a checkbook IRA structure, you can say yes to those deals without waiting days for approval.
Final thoughts
Yes, you can still use an IRA LLC or IRA Trust to buy real estate in 2025. And for the right type of investor, it’s still a smart move.
You get speed, control, and the ability to participate in real estate that might otherwise be out of reach with a traditional IRA. The rules are strict, but if you understand them and follow them, both structures can give you a huge edge.
If you’re ready to be hands-on and move fast when good deals pop up, this approach gives you the tools to do it—without giving up your tax benefits.
Feel free to set an appointment here to explore your options. And for our real estate pamphlet, reach out to [email protected].
