Self-Directed Roth IRA

Does anyone have any experience working with a self-directed IRA (Roth or otherwise)? I'm looking to head down this route and I have questions about the day-to-day operations - does it need a custodian (other than me), does the custodian write the checks and sign contracts, etc.I've heard about using self-directed IRAs for several years, mostly about how they can be used for investing in real estate. I was always intrigued by this, but never really...

Strategic Mortgage Defaults Revisited

Back at the end of September, I wrote about strategic mortgage defaults - purposefully defaulting on your mortgage on a property that has a mortgage for more than the property is worth. A story in the L.A. Times reported that these types of defaults were on the rise.Now, University of Arizona law professor Arizona Brent T. White has published a paper (pdf) stating, contrary to news reports, not many people are doing this - but they should. He cites...