I don't have the tax knowledge to do a predictive type model comparing the two, so sharing your tax experience is helpful. 

You  guys always seem to hire very talented decorators.The southwest colors against the grey really pop and make the model memorable.The pig with glasses pic is very unique, and it should help them close the prospect when they get back to the office ("What did you think of the two bedroom with the pig in glasses pic?"

I initially started investing as a passive investors with experienced operators through syndication model and eventually built a business around that that allows me to keep my "not operator level active but not Limited Partner level passive" status, which was my goal.To learn about how commercial lending works I would recommend you listen to Old Capital Podcast.I'd be more than happy to chat further and go into further details about commercial real estate investing if you are interested.

You need to understand they have models that can predict the risk down to zipcode/census tract. they need to reduce their loses with risky areas that have high property crime rates.

There are two business models in the self directed IRA realm.Custodians, who will have the word trust in their name are processors and recordkeepers.  

I can explain much about either one, but the business models are so different that I have place to start or a day to begin.

I'd invite you to check out this model that I built (which can be downloaded for free from the fileplace) and put input the assumptions that best match your local market.  

“Recordation of Quitclaim Deed and Mortgage; Conditions”, the following statement appears: “Upon: (i) Buyer’s payment of the Down Payment and the Delinquent Assessment in full, (ii) Buyer’s execution and delivery of the Note and the Mortgage to Seller, and (iii) Buyer’s timely payment of all Probationary Payments, Seller shall record in the County in which the Property is located a Quitclaim Deed to the Property, transferring to Buyer record title to the Property, and shall simultaneously record the Mortgage.”The first payment for this land contract was due September 1, 2011, and the borrower has made timely payments exceeding the 24-month probationary period.

We do both - New construction is a value creation model.

That said, the desire to scale the business has led me to this "unbundled" or "a-la-carte" model which leverages the existing business infrastructure I have in place and also caters to the evolving consumer/investor demands which now include a more active DIY approach to real estate investing.