So, I'm taking the plunge into a Gold IRA...advice for a first-timer?

• •Okay, so after kicking the tires on this for months, I'm finally pulling the trigger on a Gold IRA.
• •My biggest hang-up right now is picking the right custodian and dealer.
• •I've seen some companies aggressively pushing "free storage for life" or promising insane buyback guarantees, and honestly, it just makes me nervous.

Okay, so after kicking the tires on this for months, I'm finally pulling the trigger on a Gold IRA. I've got a decent chunk of my portfolio, probably around $150k-$200k that I'm looking to diversify, and honestly, given everything going on in the world, the security of physical assets just makes sense to me. Been a military contractor out of Jax for years, and while I've done well in the market, the whole "don't put all your eggs in one basket" thing is really resonating right now. I've been doing a lot of reading on gold rounds specifically – seems like a good balance of value and liquidity without the premium of some of the older coins.

My biggest hang-up right now is picking the right custodian and dealer. I've seen some companies aggressively pushing "free storage for life" or promising insane buyback guarantees, and honestly, it just makes me nervous. What are the red flags I should be looking out for with these companies? And conversely, what are the green flags that signal a reputable, trustworthy operation? I’m thinking long-term here, not trying to make a quick buck, so stability and fair pricing are paramount.

For those of you who've gone through this, what were your biggest surprises or challenges during the process? Did you feel like you were getting ripped off on fees, or did everything go smoothly? I’m trying to avoid any nasty surprises down the line, especially with something this important for my retirement. Are there any specific types of gold rounds that are generally better for an IRA in terms of meeting IRS purity standards or ease of sale later?

Also, any Jacksonville-area folks here use a specific local resource or have recommendations for someone in Florida? Or does geographical location even matter that much for Gold IRA setup, since everything is stored elsewhere anyway? Appreciate any and all insights you guys have. Trying to make the most informed decision possible.