Real Estate in an IRA?

Yes, but extremly difficult and not very practical.

Among other things, the IRA holder cannot use the property in any way for themselves.  This constitutes self-dealing and is not allowed by the tax code/ERISA.

I suggest you try google to get some general information.

The best way to participate in real estate with IRA is by buying into mortgage pools.  But for the most part it is impracticle because you can not leverage or deprieciate real estate held inside an IRA.  Just buy a REIT if you like the equity side of real esate.

you can set a reit up as an ira, as lance suggests.  i recommend you take a look at behringer harvard or wells reits…both are good performers