What is a self directed IRA and how is it different from a traditional IRA What about the tax benefits Can anyone help?

In a traditional IRA you money is held by a custodian. You investment choices are limited to those that the custodians allow you to.

Self directed IRA's allow you more investment choices. You still need the

custodian, but they allow you more investment choices. You request a check for a specific investment like real estate and they'll send you a check.

Then there are those that give you full control of your money and give you check writing privileges, like the broad financial Ultimate IRA. You don't need to make any request from custodians, you simply write a check.

There are some prohibited transactions, like investing in collectors items.

www.broadfinancial.com/ira_faq.html