• Ep. 21 - What to Look For Before Investing in a Private Real Estate Deal
    Feb 20 2026

    📲🚀 Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://americanira.com/consultIn this session, Rob and Clay Stanley of Shining Rock Equity walk through a practical framework for evaluating private real estate investments with clarity and discipline. Viewers will learn how to assess risk, pressure test assumptions, and avoid the common mistakes that lead to disappointing outcomes in passive real estate deals. Rob brings nearly 30 years of real estate experience, including sourcing and structuring multifamily equity, to help investors make more confident, better informed decisions in the private markets.Chapter Markers3:02 – Why Multifamily Fits Inside a Self-Directed IRASets the stage for multifamily as an asset class and why it belongs in SDIRAs.4:45 – How Self-Directed IRAs Can Invest in Multifamily Real EstateBreakdown of using an SDIRA for real estate and how it differs from traditional investing.5:15 – Tax Advantages of Holding Multifamily in an IRADiscussion around tax treatment, tax deferral, and why structure matters.7:58 – What a “Good Deal” Looks Like in Multifamily InvestingKey characteristics investors should evaluate before moving forward.8:29 – Due Diligence: What Investors Must Review Before InvestingCovers underwriting, sponsor review, and avoiding blind trust in deals.13:03 – Understanding Risk in Multifamily InvestmentsRealistic look at market risk, leverage, and operational challenges.17:40 – Active vs Passive Multifamily Investing Inside an IRAExplains hands-on ownership vs syndications and who each approach fits best.22:48 – Expected Returns and Long-Term PerformanceDiscussion on realistic return expectations and time horizons.26:10 – Common Multifamily Structures and Syndications ExplainedClarifies how deals are structured and what IRA investors should watch for.30:15 – Biggest Mistakes Investors Make in Multifamily DealsHard-earned lessons and what to avoid when investing with retirement funds.📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://go.americanira.com/self-directed-ira-fees-yt/🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3

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    38 mins
  • Ep. 20 - Demystifying Subject To Real Estate Investing - Insights from Legal and Insurance Experts
    Feb 13 2026

    📲🚀 Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://americanira.com/consult“Subject To” investing can be a powerful strategy, but it requires a clear understanding of legal, insurance, and risk considerations to be used responsibly. In this webinar, Brian Elam, a North Carolina real estate attorney with over two decades of experience, and John Hamrick Jr., an insurance professional and longtime investor, break down how Subject To transactions actually work. Drawing from their combined legal, insurance, and real world investing backgrounds, the discussion focuses on where investors get tripped up, what must be handled correctly, and how to think through this strategy before pursuing it. This conversation is designed to help investors evaluate whether Subject To investing fits their goals while avoiding costly misunderstandings and unintended exposure.📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://go.americanira.com/self-directed-ira-fees-yt/🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Ep. 19 - Mastering Property Underwriting in a Shifting Market with John Hamrick Jr
    Feb 6 2026

    Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://americanira.com/consultInsurance plays a critical role in protecting rental and investment properties, yet many investors lack clarity around how coverage and underwriting decisions are made. In this webinar, John Hamrick Jr., an insurance agent for over three decades and a longtime real estate investor, walks through insuring investment properties and the underwriting process behind them. Drawing on his experience as president of the Triad REIA in North Carolina, John brings practical insight shaped by years of working directly with investors and presenting to audiences at every stage. This conversation is designed to help investors better prepare for underwriting challenges, reduce surprises, and protect long term portfolio goals with greater confidence.📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://go.americanira.com/self-directed-ira-fees-yt/🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3

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    1 hr
  • Ep. 18 - Stop Chasing Investors: The Repeatable System That Raised $44M in 8 Years
    Jan 30 2026

    Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://americanira.com/consult

    John Ford is the founder and CEO of Bel Air Lending and a seasoned real estate entrepreneur who has facilitated over 550 loans totaling more than $120 million since 2018, and who has rehabilitated 50+ homes and built 60+ residences. In "Bel Air Lending — How I Did: Raising $44 Million in 8 Years," he outlines a repeatable fundraising system centered on a concise "Credibility Kit" of track record documents and investor materials. He will walk through step-by-step outreach tactics and practical checklists, including how to build a prospect list, contact top targets, mail the packet, solicit feedback, and use referrals, plus sample materials and scripts. John also explains how Bel Air protects investor capital through an attorney-managed trust and layered net worth between borrowers and lenders, and supports his approach with the company’s performance record of over $126 million in loans originated, a reported minimum 10% annualized return for eight consecutive years, and no principal or interest losses passed to investors.00:02:45 – Why Investors Choose Private Lending in SDIRAsConnect lending strategy to retirement investing goalsCHAPTER MARKERS00:04:00 – What This Session Will Cover About Private Lending00:05:00 – How the Lending Business Model Works00:08:00 – The Two Keys: Experience and Capital00:09:45 – Building Credibility With a “Brag Book”00:11:59 – Improving Marketing and Investor Communication00:14:00 – Creating the Entity and Becoming a Lender00:15:28 – How Funds Move Through a Trust Attorney00:23:07 – Track Record and Protecting Investor Principal📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://go.americanira.com/self-directed-ira-fees-yt/🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3

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    27 mins
  • Ep. 17 - A Real Estate Attorney's Insights on Avoiding Mistakes and Pitfalls Inside of Your Self-Directed IRA
    Jan 23 2026

    Are you accidentally jeopardizing your retirement account?In this essential webinar, we host Brian Elam, founder of Innovative Closing Solutions and a licensed North Carolina Real Estate Attorney since 1999. Brian is here to navigate the often-confusing legal procedures and pitfalls of Self-Directed IRAs (SDIRA).With experience spanning over 10,000 real estate closings, Brian will explain how SDIRA transactions should be properly structured and executed. He will cover the general SDIRA process, highlight irreversible legal pitfalls such as prohibited transactions, and clarify who is legally authorized to sign investment and closing documents so you can avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your retirement account.In this session, Brian Elam covers the three biggest legal questions:The Procedures: General SDIRA legal processes you need to anticipate.The "Third Rails": Specific, irreversible legal pitfalls (prohibited transactions) to avoid at all costs.The Execution: Who is legally required to sign the necessary documents?Brian is an entrepreneur at heart, having started his first business mowing lawns—and believes everyone should succeed in America. Get the experienced, professional legal advice you need to run your SDIRA accurately.Chapter Markers7:52 Custodian vs you: responsibilities and control limits11:35 Prohibited parties and prohibited transactions overview15:35 Executing purchase contracts and proper IRA titling20:23 Avoid personal benefit and mixing personal funds24:56 Co-owning deals: split income and repairs correctly25:38 Checkbook IRA/LLC structures: benefits and risks32:39 Liability insurance for IRA-owned rentals and land34:35 DIY work/landscaping can trigger prohibited transaction40:11 Property manager emergencies, expenses, and cash reserves📲🚀 Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://americanira.com/consult📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://go.americanira.com/self-directed-ira-fees-yt/🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3

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    51 mins
  • Ep. 16 - The Future of Estate Planning One Platform Every Advisor Needs with Carter Wilcoxson
    Jan 16 2026

    📲🚀 Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://americanira.com/consultUnlock the Great Wealth TransferDiscover how trillions in generational wealth are shifting hands and how advisors can stay at the center of that conversation. Carter breaks down proven ways to keep client families engaged across generations using a compliant, tech-powered estate planning system that advisors can easily integrate.Turn Estate Planning into GrowthLearn how advisors are using ePIC’s turnkey estate planning platform to host high-converting workshops, generate more first appointments, and retain more assets under management. Carter shares real-world results and explains how adding attorney-supported estate solutions can become a major growth engine for your practice.Simplify Compliance, Scale SuccessGet an inside look at how ePIC’s ecosystem is complete with attorney partnerships, marketing tools, and onboarding support that helps advisors streamline operations without losing compliance. Carter reveals how this scalable model allows advisors to focus on relationships while the system handles the complexity.📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://go.americanira.com/self-directed-ira-fees-yt/🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3

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    24 mins
  • Ep. 15 - Maximizing Retirement Contributions Strategic Insights with Keith Blackborg
    Jan 9 2026

    Keith Blackborg is a CPA and wealth strategist who has helped hundreds of business owners reach "work optional" in 3-5 years, build virtual family offices, and guides a community of self-directed millionaires. His presentation, "Retirement Plan Strategies — How to Maximize & Optimize Contributions," explains Solo 401(k) eligibility for owners and spouses with no employees and defines three contribution "cups": employee deferrals, employer contributions, and after-tax contributions. Keith covers practical tactics including the Mega‑Roth technique (same-day after-tax 401(k) rollovers to a Roth), 2025 contribution limits with numeric examples to optimize contributions, and payroll timing tips to help hit year-end targets. He also works with a community-based due diligence council to identify investments and service providers that support discounted rollover strategies, and this session is educational only, not individualized tax, legal, or investment advice.Chapter Markers01:44 - Host Welcome & Series ContextKyle introduces IRA Café, American IRA resources (website, social, YouTube), and frames this as part 2 of a 4‑part series with Keith, plus mentions future sessions (incl. Feb 11).04:51 - Keith’s Background & Focus of Session Keith introduces himself, his self‑directed millionaire community, and outlines today’s focus: optimizing and maximizing solo 401(k) contributions, including tax strategy.06:00 What Is a Solo 401(k)? Eligibility & AdvantagesExplanation that a solo 401(k) is for a business owner (and possibly spouse) with no employees, examples of qualifying businesses, ability to roll IRAs into solo 401(k), and why 401(k)s are often superior to IRAs (more forgiving rules, lower penalties).09:30 -Three Contribution Types Explained (Traditional, Roth, After‑Tax) Breakdown of:Traditional pre‑tax contributionsRoth post‑tax contributionsAfter‑tax (mega backdoor Roth feeder) contributions and how they’re converted to Roth.11:30 - 2025–2026 Solo 401(k) Limits & Age 50+ Catch‑UpDiscussion of total solo 401(k) limits ($70k for 2025; $72k for 2026; $80k for age 50+) and how the employee, employer, and after‑tax “buckets” interact.14:50 - Optimization Examples for Under & Over Age 50Detailed numeric examples showing:How to fully offset wages with contributions (e.g., ~$32,667 / $43,333 wages)How to max out to $72k / $80k using employee, employer, and after‑tax contributionsDifferences for under vs. over age 50.23:46 - Keith’s Personal Payroll & Tax StrategyKeith explains his own practice:Large Q1 paycheck to get money into the 401(k) early for growthYear‑end paycheck to cover tax liability via W‑2 withholding, avoid underpayment penalties, and keep funds invested longer; closing contact info and resources.📲🚀 Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://americanira.com/consult

    📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://go.americanira.com/self-directed-ira-fees-yt/🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3

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    29 mins
  • Ep. 14 - Don't Wait: End of Year Timelines for opening a new Self-Directed IRA
    Dec 19 2025

    It's almost 2026 and if you are trying to get a new self-directed retirement account open and funded for those deals cooking in 2026... you won't want to miss these important factors and timelines. 1. ROR (Right of Rescission) - There is a 7 day waiting period once new accounts are opened before those funds can be invested into properties or other alternative assets. This is a period when any funds and fees transferred to or charged on behalf of the account can be fully refunded back to you. That also means that the investing of capital has to be held until that ROR period is over. If you have a deal you are looking to close on, make sure you keep in mind that all new accounts will have this 7 day holding window. 2. Transferring of funds - American IRA has very little control or say in how long outbound custodians take to transfer funds from your existing account into your new Self-Directed account. Rollovers can be quicker than full cash-out transfers but make sure you plan on at least 7-14 days to get your account funded. Transfers and rollovers can still take place during the first 7 day ROR period. 3. If you are thinking about opening up a new account, an added benefit at American IRA is that we provide you with a dedicated transaction coordinator to help you through all the paperwork and timelines. Not just on opening your account but on all future deals. This service is provided to our customers at no additional cost to you. No call centers, no automated answer systems. Real people there when you need it. 4. LLC formations can be fantastic tools in your retirement portfolio for even more flexibility but setting them up and funding them in the right order is critical for keeping your retirement account compliant. You can not transfer a pre-existing LLC into your IRA so make sure you speak with a specialist before formation. At American IRA we have a partner company, TurnKey IRA, that can take care of the entire formation process for you and register in any state of your choosing. If you get stuck or have any other questions, feel free to drop us a comment or follow the link below to speak to Kyle and the rest of our IRA team. 📲🚀 Schedule a free consultation with our team today!https://sholink.to/consult📈💰 Begin your Self Directed Retirement Journey today at AmericanIRA!https://americanira.ac-page.com/yt-land-lowest-fees🎧💬🚀 Subscribe to our IRA Cafe Podcast:https://bit.ly/4mvb5Y3

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    41 mins