First-timer here: Looking at a Gold IRA, thinking Palladium – anyone got experience?

• •Okay, so I’ve been running my little tourism business here in Savannah for years, seen a few economic cycles come and go.
• •I’ve been seriously looking into diversifying into precious metals, specifically a Gold IRA, but the more I read, the more palladium catches my eye.
• •It feels like gold's younger, more volatile cousin, but with some serious industrial demand behind it.

Okay, so I’ve been running my little tourism business here in Savannah for years, seen a few economic cycles come and go. My portfolio's sitting around the $180k mark, and honestly, with all the market volatility lately, I’m getting antsy about keeping too much in traditional stocks. I’ve been seriously looking into diversifying into precious metals, specifically a Gold IRA, but the more I read, the more palladium catches my eye. It feels like gold's younger, more volatile cousin, but with some serious industrial demand behind it. Anyone here gone the palladium route for their IRA?

I’ve definitely grasped the basics – gotta use a custodian, can’t just keep bars in my office safe (tempting, though!). My main concern is finding a reputable dealer and understanding the fee structures involved. Are there hidden costs I should be asking about? Storage fees, annual maintenance – what’s a reasonable percentage to expect? I'm trying to figure out if the potential gains from palladium outweigh what seems like slightly higher overhead compared to just buying physical gold outright, which I've also considered for outside my IRA.

I guess I'm trying to get a feel for the real-world experience. Is liquidating palladium as straightforward as gold when the time comes? Are there specific types of palladium coins or bars that are generally preferred for IRAs? I’m looking to put maybe $20k-$30k into this initially, so it’s a significant chunk for me. Any wisdom from folks who’ve been through this process, especially with palladium, would be huge. Just trying to lock in some stability and protect against inflation while still having some growth potential.