Thinking about my first Gold IRA - anyone else here from Ohio?

• •Alright, so I’ve been sitting on a good chunk of change in my traditional IRA, mostly in mutual funds and some tech stocks.
• •I've always valued tangible assets – what you see is what you get, you know?
• •I’ve been doing some serious research into a Gold IRA, thinking about moving maybe 20-25% of my current ~400k portfolio into physical gold.

Alright, so I’ve been sitting on a good chunk of change in my traditional IRA, mostly in mutual funds and some tech stocks. I’m an exec in manufacturing here in Cleveland, and honestly, the thought of having all my retirement tied up in paper assets just doesn't sit right with me. I've always valued tangible assets – what you see is what you get, you know?

I’ve been doing some serious research into a Gold IRA, thinking about moving maybe 20-25% of my current ~400k portfolio into physical gold. The stability and inflation hedge appeal to me, especially with all the talk about interest rates and economic uncertainty. I'm not looking to get rich quick, just to diversify and protect some of my capital over the long haul. My parents actually held some physical silver back in the day, so I guess it’s a bit in my blood.

My main hang-up right now is choosing a custodian and understanding the whole process of buying the actual gold coins. Royal Canadian Mint Gold Maple Leaf coins look pretty solid from a purity standpoint, but I'm seeing a lot of options. Are there specific coin types that are better for IRAs in terms of liquidity or premium at purchase? Also, for anyone else in Ohio, any local insights or recommendations for reputable dealers or storage facilities that work well with IRA custodians? I'm trying to avoid getting swindled on fees or storage costs.

What were your big "gotchas" or things you wish you knew before you took the plunge with your first gold IRA? Any advice on navigating the initial setup, fees, and making sure I'm choosing a trustworthy partner? Any and all wisdom is appreciated!