This involves buying bonds during their initial sale period, often called a .

: Brokers typically charge a markup (a hidden fee added to the purchase price) or a commission to execute these trades.

: Self-managed accounts at firms like Fidelity , Charles Schwab, or Vanguard allow you to research and place orders yourself.

Most direct muni buying happens here, where you purchase bonds from other investors who already own them.

: There are generally no markups or transaction fees when buying in the primary market. However, minimum investments are often higher—typically starting at $5,000 per bond. 3. Secondary Market: Existing Bonds

: Prices fluctuate based on current interest rates, credit ratings, and market demand.

Buying municipal bonds ("munis") directly generally means purchasing individual bonds rather than investing through a mutual fund or ETF. There are two primary ways to do this: the (newly issued bonds) and the secondary market (previously issued bonds). 1. Purchase Channels