Rollover Process with Advanta IRA for Roth IRA
Advanta IRA is a Florida-based self-directed IRA custodian founded in 1980 (as Florida Self-Directed IRA LLC, later incorporated as Advanta IRA). It specializes in real estate and private lending SDIRAs and is particularly well-known in Southeast U.S. markets. Annual fee is flat and asset-based hybrid — verify current schedule. Strong in-person support from Florida offices.
1Expert Analysis: Advanta IRA
A deep dive into platform competence. Advanta IRA is the premier SDIRA custodian for real estate investors in the Southeast United States. Its 40+ year operating history in Florida — one of the most active real estate markets in the country — means its staff and systems are calibrated specifically for Florida real estate transactions, Florida tax lien investing, and the specific documentation requirements of Southeast title companies and county recorders. For a retiree rolling a 401(k) into a Florida rental property SDIRA, Advanta IRA's local expertise and relationships provide meaningful execution advantages over custodians headquartered in Ohio or Arizona.
When opening a Roth IRA, selecting your custodian determines your overhead cost and execution speed.Advanta IRA's strength in private lending SDIRAs is particularly relevant for Florida's active hard money and bridge loan market. Florida real estate investors who also serve as lenders — funding short-term renovation loans from their SDIRA — benefit from Advanta's note processing experience and relationships with Florida title companies that are familiar with IRA-as-lender transactions. The note processing timeline of 2–4 days (versus 3–5 at Equity Trust) is meaningful in competitive lending markets where borrowers need fast capital.
- Florida and Southeast real estate investors who want a custodian with deep local market relationships
- Private lending investors (hard money lending, mortgage notes) in Southeast U.S. markets
- Investors who want in-person service from a Florida-headquartered custodian
- Tax lien and tax deed investors in Florida, Georgia, or the Carolinas
2Advanta IRA Fee Schedule
Fees compound over the life of your Roth IRA. Always evaluate the total cost basis.
Setup Fee
$50 one-time account setup fee
Charged one-time upon account initiation.
Annual Fee
$199–$450/year depending on account value and asset types held
Advanta IRA uses a flat fee structure for smaller accounts and asset-based for larger. Verify current schedule at advantaira.com — fees are competitive with Equity Trust and Entrust for similar account sizes.
Incoming Rollovers
$0
Direct rollovers are typically free to originate on the receiving side.
3Roth IRA Considerations
How Advanta IRA specifically handles the Roth IRA asset class and structure.
Roth SDIRA — same fee structure. In-person Roth conversion guidance available at Florida offices.
Tax Destination Character: All growth within the Roth IRA is permanently tax-free. Qualified distributions (after age 59½ and after the 5-year holding period) are completely tax-free — including all earnings accumulated since the rollover.
4Rollover & Account Opening Process
Moving funds via direct rollover into your new Roth IRA.
- Complete online application at advantaira.com or visit Lake Mary FL or Tampa FL office in person.
- Pay $50 account setup fee. Account number provided within 1–3 business days.
- Provide Advanta IRA FBO information to sending plan for direct rollover. Payable to: 'Advanta IRA LLC FBO [Full Legal Name] IRA Account #[Number]'.
- Advanta IRA posts rollover within 1–3 business days of fund receipt.
- Submit Investment Direction Letter online or in person.
- Advanta IRA processes investment direction — typical processing 2–4 business days for real estate.
5Common Advanta IRA Pitfalls
Mistakes specific to the Advanta IRA platform.
Not confirming Advanta IRA's familiarity with the specific Florida county's closing process
While Advanta IRA has broad Florida real estate experience, some Florida counties have specific requirements for IRA-owned property closings (particular language on deeds, required affidavits, county-specific recording fees). For properties in smaller or more rural Florida counties outside the major metro markets (Miami, Tampa, Orlando), confirm with Advanta IRA that their team has experience with that specific county's process before initiating the rollover.
Choosing Advanta IRA for a non-Southeast real estate investment
Advanta IRA's primary competitive advantage is its Southeast market expertise and relationships. For a California, Texas, or New England real estate SDIRA, Equity Trust's national footprint and larger real estate specialist team, or Directed IRA's streamlined process, may provide better service. Advanta IRA is the right choice when the geographic specialty adds genuine value — for non-Southeast investments, evaluate other custodians on a fee and service basis.
Underestimating Florida-specific property management compliance requirements for IRA-owned rental properties
Florida's landlord-tenant law, homeowner association requirements, and property management licensing rules apply to IRA-owned rental properties the same as personally-owned properties. The property manager must be a licensed Florida real estate broker (for properties with more than one unit, or for compensation). Hiring an unlicensed property manager for an IRA-owned Florida rental creates both a state law violation and potential SDIRA prohibited transaction risk. Advanta IRA can refer to approved licensed property management companies familiar with IRA-ownership structures.
6Frequently Asked Questions
Is Advanta IRA a good choice for a Florida real estate IRA?
Yes — Advanta IRA is particularly well-suited for Florida real estate SDIRA investors. It is headquartered in Lake Mary, Florida with offices in Tampa and Atlanta. Its staff has 40+ years of experience processing Florida real estate closings within SDIRA structures, and it has established relationships with Florida title companies and attorneys familiar with IRA-as-buyer transactions. For Southeast real estate investors, Advanta IRA's local expertise provides execution advantages over custodians based in Ohio or Arizona.
Can I invest in Florida tax liens through Advanta IRA?
Yes — Advanta IRA has extensive experience with Florida tax lien certificate investments within SDIRA accounts. Florida tax lien investing (county-issued certificates earning 5–18% annual return) is a strong fit for SDIRA investors because all interest income flows back to the IRA tax-deferred or tax-free. Advanta IRA's familiarity with Florida county tax sale procedures and redemption processes makes it particularly well-positioned for this asset class.
How does Advanta IRA's fee compare to Equity Trust for a $200,000 real estate SDIRA?
At $200,000 in account value, Advanta IRA charges approximately $275–$375/year in annual fees (verify current schedule at advantaira.com). Equity Trust charges approximately $350–$450/year for similar account values. Transaction fees are comparable. Directed IRA is cheaper at $295/year flat for any account size. The decision between Advanta IRA and competitors should incorporate the geographic expertise factor — for a Florida real estate SDIRA, Advanta IRA's local relationships may justify a modest fee premium. For non-Southeast investments, optimize on cost.