It seems that self-directed IRAs are quickly losing their “best-kept secret” status.

Savvy investors have long known the power of taking control of your financial future by investing your retirement accounts, but it appears  that more Americans have recently been catching on to the idea of late, as evidenced by all the mentions of self-directed IRAs in the national media. The topic seems to be popping up everywhere, from newspapers to morning shows.

Why now? A combination of current events and the economic landscape could be contributing to the rising popularity of alternative investments, which are made possible by self-directed IRAs.

In January, news of the release of Mitt Romney’s financial information brought a renewed interest to all the possibilities that retirement accounts contain. It was reported that that the GOP presidential candidate has millions of dollars locked away in an IRA that holds investments in a private-equity firm.

Some investors have become disillusioned with poor-performing stocks that are dragging their IRAs down, causing them to look for other options that allow them to take more control over their investments. TODAY Show contributor Jean Chatzky made reference to this idea when she explained self-directed IRAs on a recent broadcast.

Chatzky’s rundown of alternative investments followed The Wall Street Journal’s overview of the investment strategy, which asserts that the range of investments available with self-directed IRAs makes them “sexy.”

Self-directed IRAs also might be getting a boost from Warren Buffett’s recent proclamations that it’s a great time to invest in single-family homes. The self-directed IRA is a vehicle for such investments, and it’s becoming more popular as investors find out that they can grow their profits from real estate tax-free by investing with these accounts.

As the various media outlets have highlighted, there are plenty of opportunities to grow your wealth using forms of investment that match your comfort level and expertise, and the time is right to take advantage of them. Don’t be left out. Discover why more investors are turning to the strategy that allows them to take control of their own financial future.

Filed under: Uncategorized on March 9th, 2012