Curt Bateman is our Affiliate of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2004. Bateman is not only a client that utilizes his own Self Directed IRA, but is also a mortgage broker affiliate. As manager of the Commercial and Investment Loans division of Absolute Mortgage, Bateman has established relationships with local banks to fund loans for self-directed IRA entities in Washington State. He is currently working on building a network of lenders that will lend to IRA entities in all 50 states. Bateman's hope is to help other IRA investors utilize leverage to purchase real estate with their retirement funds. We took a few minutes to ask Curt some candid questions.
Question: When did you become interested in Self directed retirement investing?
"I became interested in self-directed investing while trying to meet the special needs of some of my clients. I work primarily with high net worth individuals and executives. Many of my clients have a considerable amount of money sitting in retirement accounts. Before meeting Guidant I thought these funds could not be utilized. As it turns out, there has been an ability to unlock these funds available for many years. I see the possibilities in investment real estate available to my clients, and now I see the possibilities of getting involved in these investments with funds from retirement accounts."
Question: Why are you so passionate about real
Estate investing?
"I worked with the City Planning Commission for four years. At one point I was even Chairman of the Commission. We focused on how to meet the needs of our community 4 to 5 years in the future. By obtaining information from public testing, staff recommendations, and research, we made recommendations to the City Council. I saw the real estate trends happening before they ever hit the market. There is a great need for affordable rental housing. Consequently, there is a great opportunity for investors who can help meet those needs."
Question: What are you currently doing with your
Self-directed IRA funds?
"I am using my retirement funds to launch an innovative housing project in a local city. The plan is to recycle existing lots in neighborhoods into their highest and best use. In our area, there are considerably more jobs than housing. By providing affordable housing in this area, there is the potential to make an incredible profit. My funds are paying for the things needed to get a development project approved with the City. My IRA can then reap the benefits of selling these approved plans to local developers. I may even develop some of the lots myself."
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