Home storage vs. depository for Gold IRA - anyone regretted their choice?

• •I’ve been going back and forth on this for weeks and honestly, it’s keeping me up at night.
• •Got about $700k in my Gold IRA, all physical, and I’m trying to figure out if I should keep it in a depository or go with home storage.
• •My current setup is with a pretty reputable depository, which is obviously the standard.

I’ve been going back and forth on this for weeks and honestly, it’s keeping me up at night. Got about $700k in my Gold IRA, all physical, and I’m trying to figure out if I should keep it in a depository or go with home storage. I’m a logistics company owner here in Memphis, and I’m starting to think about succession planning for my business, so I need to make some smart decisions that benefit my kids down the line.

My current setup is with a pretty reputable depository, which is obviously the standard. It feels secure, insured, and I don't have to worry about a thing. But then I hear about folks who've opted for home storage, and the idea of having direct access to my gold is pretty appealing. I mean, if things really go south, I want to be able to physically lay my hands on my assets without having to jump through hoops. Is that just a prepper fantasy, or a legitimate concern for anyone else?

The whole "checkbook IRA" route for home storage seems like it could open up a can of worms with the IRS if not done perfectly. That's a huge sticking point for me. I don't want any audits or penalties, especially while I'm trying to smoothly transition my business. On the flip side, the depository fees, while not astronomical, do chip away over time. Has anyone here made the switch from a depository to home storage for their Gold IRA, and if so, did you regret it? Or has anyone had a bad experience with a depository that made them wish they'd chosen home storage?

Just trying to get a feel for the real-world experiences out there. Is the peace of mind from a depository worth the lack of direct access and ongoing fees? Or is the control and liquidity of home storage worth the potential regulatory headaches and security risks? Any advice from people who've actually been through this would be appreciated. I'm leaning heavily towards staying with the depository for the simplicity, but that nagging feeling about direct access won't quit.