What few people fail to realize, is that company sponsored retirement programs that are managed by a third party can become literally trapped when a company falls into bankruptcy or shuts its doors. Worse still, the employees that spent years putting aside money for their own financial security, can be left stranded and helpless to get control of their own money. Those are NOT company monies, those are personal investment funds. However, the legal process to establish and retake that control can take months and even years.  That’s right – YEARS before you can get your own retirement money back under your control.

This New York Times article by Gretchen Morgenson tells one of those very real and very sad stories. This is just another example of why no American should surrender control of their financial future to anyone, even their own employer. Self directed investing is absolutely THE way to invest. It keeps you in control of your hard earned cash. It keeps your family’s financial future where it belongs – in your own hands.

Read the full article, and realize that this is a sad possibility that too many American’s, like you, face today. Take control now!

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/business/401-k-woes-when-a-company-goes-bankrupt-fair-game.html?_r=1&smid=tw-share

This article, by Laura Sanders, investigates the every day and exotic investments that are being made today with Self-Directed accounts.   It is packed full of information about how self-directing is taking center stage.  And, how every day people are just now obtaining the information that they need to invest in what they already know!

To read the complete Wall Street Journal article: visit http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204571404577253411744719228.html

Greg has spent the last 10 years focused on the growth opportunities and wealth accumulation through Real Estate vehicles.  His aptitude for business has afforded him the opportunity to provide management direction, capital restructuring, investment research analysis, business projection analysis, and capital acquisition services which governed and impacted over $500 million in Real Estate transactions.  His business acumen is complimented by his ability to cultivate and grow long lasting relationships.  Greg prides himself on being a man of his word and in always holding himself to the highest delivery standards.  This ethos allowed him to assemble a broad network of investment resources, brokers, and lending institutions worldwide who eagerly anticipate the opportunity to engage with him in business ventures.

How did his career begin?  When  Greg returned to the United States from a mission to Guayaquil, Ecuador, he was introduced his first mentor by his father, during a visit his parents home in Las Vegas, Nevada.  He took immediate interest in the insurance entrepreneur, upon learning that the successful business man easily supported 6 children and was always on vacation.  He decided, right then and there, to get to know this man and find out what the secret was.

After a year learning the ins and outs of annuities, insurance and finance, Greg opened up his own financial services company.  In 18 months, he found his business transformed by the realization that most of the wealthy people he encountered had obtained their wealth by investing in real estate.

“I interviewed some of the major players in the firms across town and self-taught myself the strategies of successful real estate investing,” explained Herlean.  He raised funds from a number of clients and began to invest in real estate ventures.

To be more precise, they were private lenders.  They were lending money to people and earning 10-20% on their money every year.  He quickly realized that he was more than capable of replicating their success.  Then, Greg found a way to improve upon what I learned from them.  The key?  Using self-directed investing mechanisms to super-charge private lending.  That key is what he is intent to educated others on today.

Self-directed investing has proven to work effectively for Greg and his clients.  In the past ten years Greg has bought and sold over 500 homes, four hotels and three apartment complexes.  Further, he took his first Nevada custodial trust company from inception to $95 million in managed assets in just over 24 months.

Currently, as CEO of Horizon Trust, Greg helps clients take control of their retirement funds and invest in what they already know.  By taking control of their investments, his clients beat the averages and realize higher returns.  His passion?  Educating others on better methods for retirement savings and wealth building through self-directed investing – everything from Trust Deeds and Mortgages to Private Stock to Publicly Traded Securities.

Self-directed investment is a well-kept secret from most investors.  Greg explains, “Financial advisors never tell clients to self direct because then they don’t get paid.”

In fact, there are over 72 million IRA account holders in United States, yet only 4% self-direct funds. The major reason for this – most people are uneducated on self-directed investing – they are unaware that it is even an option for them.

“Many people believe they cannot significantly grow their money. They think you have to be wealthy to get wealthier. This is not true! They just need the right tools to take advantage of what they think only the wealthy can do.”

Herlean personally knows how daunting the false mantra, ‘it takes money to make money’ is.

“My wife and I don’t come from money. We never had money, and we didn’t have friends that had money. We started completely from scratch.” Herlean and his wife went into their first small real estate deal with only $7000  in savings.  Using the methods that he teaches today, they quickly turned that $7000 into $100,000.

How was he able to quickly make that $93,000.00 at the age of 23?  He began by participating in commercial real estate partnerships where he invested $10,000 initially, for a $30,000 return on investment. Herlean joked, “Having a hundred thousand dollars in the bank as a 23 year-old was pretty amazing.”

Herlean used his strategy to turn a small savings account into hundreds of real estate deals. “I am proof that you can take very little money and do BIG things with it.  My role is to educate the 96% of people who do not currently self-direct and teach them exactly how to do the same thing I have done and continue to do for my family and for my clients.  Most Americans have no idea that you can go buy a hotel with your $10,000 IRA,” said Herlean.  “The choices that I made, allow me to the freedom to focus on the things that are truly the most important my life – my beautiful wife and our 4 children.  Everyone should be as fortunate as I am to be secure enough financially, so that they can spend nice big chunks of time enjoying their family.” 

He explains, that his desire to enable others to enjoy the financial security he enjoys, is what inspires him to focus his energy on teaching the same methods that he utilizes to as many people as possible.  This passion to share his knowledge, is what has made Greg a much sought-after platform speaker on the topics of capital development, investment growth through use of self-directed IRA vehicles, and estate planning.

“Sometimes I go to financial seminars and see people buying all kinds of packages and promotions that promise to teach them how to get rich quick.  Many of these people never find success with these kinds of schemes.  I get up on stage and ask the audience to let me show them how to utilize their current assets without having to buy anything,” said Herlean.

Greg’s message resonates, because he teaches people how to leverage money they already have. His techniques do not require participants to spend or obtain more money – they simply need to take control of the money they have today.

“I see how anxious people are and I love to teach people how to make money. This is empowering for them and for me. I love that ‘Aha’ moment where audiences realize their financial advisor has not been telling them the whole story and they can take control of their retirement funds,” explained Herlean.

For stressed and maxed-out audience members, Greg is often a breath of fresh air on stage – a man who is not hesitant to present the high and low points in his investing career.  He shares the whole truth, not just the glamorous side.  He frequently discusses the adaptations and strategy changes that were required of him during the financial crisis of 2007.

“I have always had to work harder and smarter than most. We all go through tough times, but I work really hard to stay positive.  I know that when I keep working hard and smart, I will bounce back,” said Herlean.  This is a skill that he has learned through experience, and yet another one that he ensures his audiences and students learn quickly.  Understanding these cycles and the corresponding need to adapt when the market changes, is what keeps his clients successful.

This is one of the many reasons that most of his clients see nothing but success. “I have seen clients use their IRA’s to buy homes from banks and auctions at $100,000 and then turn around and resell them for $125,000 in six months. I have seen this countless times.”

Herlean also points out that clients may use self-directed IRA’s in countless ways depending on what kind of return on investment they are looking for. “Clients can get huge returns on Oil and Gas.  Then there are those who prefer to have positive cash flow on a regular monthly basis, and invest in rental properties with  steady 5% or 6% returns,” said Herlean.

Greg and his team do not stop at education.  Instead, his company culture is on built to ensure that the clients are not only educated on self-directed investment opportunities, but also that everyone at the company is there to guide and assist the client at every possible turn.  “We have this special niche where we have a heavy focus on customer service. Literally, all someone has to do is find their IRA statement and we will help them with everything else. We truly show them how they can do it on their own,” explained Herlean.

Horizon Trust Company offers a package the ensures that clients are able to get started quickly and effectively.  The starter package includes perks like waving the self-directed IRA fees, and creating a free living trust package for family members.

What is next for Greg Herlean?  In the next few years Herlean hopes to become a leader in the industry educating people on self-directing.  Greg’s financial expertise is evidenced in his success.  That expertise, coupled with his insightful methodologies, keen marketing strategies, and strong operational fundamentals will enable him to spread the knowledge that many American’s need today.  His voice will bring the strategies of the rich to many more individuals and families.

The above article is an interview piece done with Angie Swenson, of The Dicks & Nanton Companies.

The article above was published in the following prestigious publications:

• The Boston Globe
• CBS Money Watch
• CNBC
• The Columbus Dispatch
• The Dallas Morning New
• The Houston Chronicle
• The Las Vegas Review Journal
• The Los Angeles Daily News
• Market Watch
• The Miami Herald
• Morningstar
• Newsday
• The Oklahoman
• The Sacramento Bee
• The San Francisco Chronicle
• The Star Tribune
• WABC New York 7 On-Line
• World Net Daily
• Yahoo Finance

Src: http://money.cnn.com/2011/06/24/retirement/money_makeover_risks_berne.moneymag/index.htm

Src: http://money.cnn.com/2011/05/13/pf/roth_ira_tax_loophole.fortune/index.htm

Now is the time  take advantage of the opportunities

Src: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/05/26/retirement-guide-2011-take-control-and-win/

To learn more about the methods which can be used to avoid these potholes and ensure a comfortable and secure retirement, read this research presented by By Brian Perlman, Ph.D. , Kelly Kenneally, and Ilana Boivie of the National Institute on Retirement Security:

http://www.nirsonline.org/storage/nirs/documents/Public%20Opinion/final_report.pdf

http://money.cnn.com/2010/09/21/pf/expert/retirement_401k_bonds.moneymag/index.htm?iid=EAL

http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/28/real-estate-its-time-to-buy-again/