When it comes to the investments that will make a difference in our retirement years, many of us are turning our attention toward precious metals. Namely, gold and silver are the big ones to get involved with right now. How can we do that, though?
Well, the first step is to locate a broker. They’re the companies that sell the physical gold or silver (often called bullion) to consumers and investors. There are many of them out there, so it can be hard to sort through them all. Today, I’ll provide you with some traits to look for in one!
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Good Customer Service
I list this first since it’s what is most important for me, but it might not be for you. Still, I think that having excellent service is a mark of an organization I trust. Hopefully, they can assist you with some of the key parts of this process, like the ones listed here: https://www.yahoo.com/video/7-ways-invest-gold-guide-232702465.html.
I’m a firm believer in being an educated consumer, so I like to know what I’m getting into before I decide to invest definitively. That’s why I place such value on customer service. Employees should be able to offer insights into the market and explain why it’s a good idea right now.
After all, no one likes to be uninformed or unable to count on their broker for details on this front. Especially when it comes to something this important, for example, they can assist if you aren’t sure what is eligible to be placed into an account.
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Provides Several Options
Bullion isn’t the only way to get gold and silver, so ideally your broker can offer more than just that. Gold coins come to mind in particular. There are certain restrictions on which ones can be placed in a retirement account, though.
Those are ones such as the American Eagle coin or the Australian Kangaroo. The Canadian Maple Leaf coins count as well. Explore what is available with the broker you choose. They should be able to assist; if they’re not, it might be time to look elsewhere! While there are lists out there, they can be hard to navigate if you are unfamiliar.
Additionally, they should be able to tell you what is not permissible in an account like a precious metals IRA. There are some strict guidelines, so just be cognizant of that.
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Has a Solid History
Now, when considering this list of the best gold IRA companies, I know it can’t be complete without mentioning this facet. Most of us prefer to work with organizations that are well established, and I don’t think this area is any exception to that. As I consider brokers, I research their history and see how long they’ve been around.
Of course, the time period they have existed isn’t the only thing to keep in mind. If the founders have a lot of experience in the industry together, that’s another sign that they can be trusted. Groups without any scandals or issues also tend to be a higher priority.
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Family-Owned
This one is a bit more specific; I understand. It’s one of my own preferences, but I think it is worthwhile to share. That’s because I find that smaller companies tend to be more trustworthy than large corporations.
While it isn’t always true, when I’m deciding who I want to entrust my investing future, someone I can trust will always be my top choice. So, I recommend looking into the owners of whatever group you are looking at.
You don’t need to go creepy or do a full background check. However, seeing where some of their finances go (such as political donations, if that matters to you) isn’t a bad idea. It can give you a sense of what values they hold. You can learn more about it on this page.
Hopefully, this article has given you some insights on the best ones to check out. I think these qualities are ones you should heavily prioritize, though there are certainly others that aren’t bad ideas either. Wherever you decide, I wish you luck with your investing!
