I sold all of my stock in my Etrade IRA. I would like to roll the funds into my company and buy real estate with it. Will I have to pay the penalties and taxes? I don't want to buy stocks and bonds, I feel they are too risky. I am 57 years old. The real estate is in Ohio. I live in New York.

You cannot take money from your IRA and invest in real estate without paying income tax and early withdrawal penalty, since you are under 59-1/2 years of age. I don't understand why you think stocks and bonds are riskier than real estate - but even so there are real estate investments that you can make with your IRA money if you wish, just not in your own property. Have you considered REITs?

I agree, there are many IRA funds that perform very well and are diverse enough that they have great history or growth. There are also bonds and lower interest items that are very safe.