Podcast
CRE Deep Dive
Hosted by Dennis Bamford · EN
CRE Deep Dive is a commercial real estate podcast focused on bridging the gap between self-directed retirement capital and real investment opportunities.
Hosted by Dennis Bamford, the show explores how investors, custodians, and advisors are using self-directed IRAs to access and fund commercial real estate deals. Each episode breaks down how capital actually flows: from 401k rollovers into SDIRAs, into real assets like apartment syndications and private placements.
Rather than surface-level education, the conversations focus on real execution: how deals are structured, how investors participate, what custodians require, and where people get stuck or make costly mistakes.
By connecting both sides of the equation, those who control capital and those who deploy it: CRE Deep Dive gives listeners a clear, practical path to putting retirement funds to work in commercial real estate.
This podcast is built for investors, advisors, and professionals who want more control over their capital and a smarter way to participate in real estate beyond traditional markets.
CRE Deep Dive connects self-directed retirement capital with real commercial real estate deals, showing investors how to actually put their money to work.
3episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Self-Directed IRAs Explained: Real Estate, Solo 401(k)s & Alternative Investing
1w ago00:27:01Tap to summarizeWhat if your retirement account could invest in real estate instead of just stocks and mutual funds? In this episode of CRE Deep Dive, Dennis Bamford sits down with Paul Herbes from Equity Institutional Services to break down how self-directed IRAs, solo 401(k)s, HSAs, and other retirement vehicles can be used for alternative investments like real estate syndications, private equity, and direct property ownership. Paul explains how investors are using retirement funds to diversify beyond traditional Wall Street products while maintaining tax advantages and long-term growth potential. What you'll learn How self-directed IRAs actually work What investments are allowed (and prohibited) Checkbook IRAs and LLC structures HSA and education account investing Solo 401(k) contribution advantages Real estate investing timelines and funding mechanics IRA rollover strategies Custodian fees and investor support Chapters [00:00] Introduction to Self-Directed IRAs [01:40] Why Most Investors Don’t Know This Exists [04:10] What You Can and Cannot Invest In [07:15] How Rollovers and Transfers Work [10:20] Using HSAs and Education Accounts [13:05] In-Service Rollovers Explained [15:40] Real Estate Investing Timelines and Funding [18:55] Checkbook IRAs and LLC Structures [22:10] Solo 401(k)s and Contribution Limits [24:00] Fee Structures and Investor Support [25:35] Midland Trust and Final Thoughts If you’ve ever wondered whether your retirement account could do more than sit in the stock market, this episode is a must-watch. Apply to be a guest here: Click me!
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How to Buy Real Estate with a Self-Directed IRA (Without Breaking IRS Rules)
2w ago00:21:22Tap to summarizeWhat if your retirement account could invest in real estate instead of just stocks and mutual funds? In this episode of CRE Deep Dive, Dennis Bamford sits down with Lindsay Merino from Directed IRA to break down how self-directed IRAs actually work for real estate investors. They cover rollover timelines, IRA LLC structures, checkbook control, prohibited transactions, property management logistics, fees, and the biggest mistakes investors make when using retirement funds for alternative investments. If you’ve heard terms like “IRA LLC,” “checkbook IRA,” or “self-directed Roth IRA” but never fully understood how they work, this episode gives a practical beginner-friendly overview. What You’ll Learn: How long IRA rollovers actually take The difference between an IRA and IRA LLC structure How rental income flows through a self-directed IRA What prohibited transactions are Which family members your IRA cannot transact with How investors use retirement accounts for real estate Why education is critical when self-directing retirement funds Chapters [00:00] Intro to Self-Directed IRAs [00:42] Rollover Timelines Explained [03:02] IRA LLC vs Standard IRA Structure [05:12] How Rental Income Flows Through an IRA LLC [07:15] Directed IRA Fee Structure [10:08] Setting Up an IRA LLC [12:05] Foreign Investments & Cannabis Investments [14:03] Prohibited Transactions Explained [18:45] Directed IRA Education Resources [20:15] Final Thoughts & Wrap Up Special Guest: Lindsay Merino at Directed IRA Special Shoutout Shoutout to Direct IRA for helping educate investors on self-directed retirement strategies. CTA Come be my next guest! Book a call here!
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Why 95% of Investors Miss This Retirement Strategy (Self-Directed IRA)
4w ago00:43:39Tap to summarizeMost people don’t even realize they can invest their retirement funds outside the stock market. In this episode of CRE Deep Drive, Dennis Bamford sits down with Matt Moore from CamaPlan to break down how self-directed IRAs actually work and how investors are using them to access real estate, private deals, and alternative investments. From rollovers and funding strategies to IRS rules and prohibited transactions, this conversation gives you a clear, practical understanding of what’s possible (and what to avoid). What You’ll Learn: What a self-directed IRA is and how it works How to roll over funds from a 401k or IRA The biggest IRS rules and prohibited transactions How real estate investing works inside an IRA Passive vs active investing strategies How fees compare to traditional advisors Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [02:30] What is a self-directed IRA? [06:45] How to fund your IRA (rollovers & transfers) [12:10] IRS rules and penalties explained [18:20] Can you use loans or cash inside an IRA? [25:40] Fees and cost structure [31:15] Prohibited transactions explained [40:10] Real estate investing inside an IRA [46:30] Passive vs active investing strategies [52:00] Final thoughts and resources CTA: Apply to be the next guest of my show: Click here!
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