Real Estate Information

Preserve Equity, Build for the Future Using a 1031 Tax Exchange


Thinking of trading up on an investment resort property? If so, look into 1031 Tax Exchanges (based on IRS Code Section 1031), which allow taxpayers to defer taxes on capital gains resulting from the sale of investment real estate, often a sizable sum since combined Federal and State taxes can run as high as 38 percent.

With an exchange, owners are able to preserve equity, while still selling the property. The underlying concept is that an exchange of like-kind property for like-kind property does not generate funds, which can be taxed since the profits go directly into the new or replacement property. To accomplish this, sellers hire a Qualified 1031 Intermediary (QI) to document the sale as an exchange and to receive the funds from the sale. The QI then delivers the funds directly to the closing agent for the replacement property who deeds the property to the taxpayer.

Central to a 1031 Exchange is the interpretation of like-kind property. While the common assumption is that like-kind implies land for land or a condominium for a condominium swap, the interpretation of like kind is actually less literal. Rather, it defines like kind as meaning that both the replacement and the original property must be used as an investment. So land, condominiums, single-family homes and motels can all be exchanged for one another as long as they are used in the exchanger's business or held as an investment. The amount of debt held on the replacement property must be the same as the amount of debt on the original.

1031 Exchanges are complex mechanisms and like all IRS requirements very specific. For example, exchangers have 45 days from closing to identify properties they intend to purchase and 180 days to complete the purchase. Purchase and Sale agreements must include verbiage indicating the intent to affect a 1031 Exchange.

The 45-day time frame used to be onerous for sellers. Now, they can opt for a Reverse Exchange, in which an additional third party called "the exchange accommodation title holder" (EAT) acquires title to the replacement property until the original property sells. Reverse Exchanges shift the 45- and 180-day time frame to the selling side of the transaction. With an Improvement Exchange, which also uses an EAT to hold the replacement property, sellers can build investment properties from the ground up or improve existing properties. The improvements have to be built and paid for during the 180-day period.

If you are interested in a 1031 Exchange, the first step is to consult your tax advisors as well as an attorney or CPA who is knowledgeable with 1031 Exchanges. Make sure that your real estate professional knows you plan to conduct an exchange and be sure that he or she is familiar not only with the process but also with the specific documentation and time frame mandated by the IRS.

This article is intended to inform readers, but does not constitute any financial or legal advice.

Neda Dabestani-Ryba is a Realtor in Maryland. She is a member of the President's Circle of Top Real Estate Professionals. She can be reached at (800) 536-3806 or visit her website for more information: http://neda.dabestani.pcragent.com/

Prudential Carruthers REALTORS is an independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Equal Housing Opportunity.


MORE RESOURCES:

A Bullish Buy in Commercial Real Estate
Barron's - 6 hours ago
By TERESA RIVAS SOME INVESTORS MAY THINK that commercial real estate is a bubble waiting to pop, but a longtime director at Grubb & Ellis (ticker: GBE) has ...
Kojaian Accumulates 2 Million Shares of Grubb & Ellis (GBE) So Far ... StreetInsider.com (subscription)
all 2 news articles


Robert Shiller on the Real Estate Crisis
U.S. News & World Report, DC - 8 hours ago
Henry Blodget has an interesting interview with Yale Professor Robert Shiller on the housing crisis. Watch the video here. Highlights are below: Home price ...


Longtime Real Estate Industry Executive Bob Bill Joins HouseValues ...
MarketWatch - 17 hours ago
today announced that longtime real estate industry executive Bob Bill has joined the company as vice president and general manager of broker services. ...
Longtime Real Estate Industry Executive Bob Bill Joins HouseValues ... CNNMoney.com
Longtime Real Estate Industry Executive Bob Bill Joins HouseValues ... Trading Markets (press release)
Thomas Properties Group Adds Paul Rutter as Executive Vice ... MarketWatch
all 15 news articles


AXcess News: Taking a Byte Out of Canada's Real Estate Market
MarketWatch - 6 hours ago
RENO, NV, Sep 05, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- While the US real estate market sits in the doldrums, home sales in Canada are expected to rise 5.3 ...


Arizona Republic

Vehicle found in slaying of real-estate broker
Arizona Republic, AZ - 23 hours ago
5, 2008 12:00 AM Authorities in California on Thursday located the vehicle of a slain Phoenix real-estate broker and detained people found inside for ...
Vehicle of slain Phoenix real-estate broker found in California KSWT-TV
A prominent Jewish activist in Phoenix, Irving Shuman, 84, was ... Jewish Telegraphic Agency
Slain Phoenix broker's car found United Press International
Arizona Republic
all 21 news articles


Report: San Diego Real Estate Undervalued
NBC Sandiego.com, CA - 4 hours ago
SAN DIEGO -- San Diego's real estate market is now undervalued, according to a report from economic and financial analysis company Global Insight. ...
A housing flip-flop San Diego Union Tribune
all 2 news articles


Washington Post Real Estate editor and columnist
Washington Post, United States - 12 hours ago
Welcome to Real Estate Live, an online discussion of the Washington area housing market with Post Real Estate editor Maryann Haggerty and columnist ...
Sales slip in August, but real estate market holds firm overall Canada.com
I got this email from a reader: Boston Globe
all 4 news articles


IDX Broker Customizes and Simplifies the MLS Search on Real Estate ...
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro - 14 hours ago
IDX, Inc. announces the addition of Mille Fine with Century 21 Advantage Gold to the rapidly growing database of real estate brokers and agents who are ...
Sprucing up your home’s MLS report a good idea Naples Daily News
Custom IDX Search Tools Enrich the Search Experience for Realtor ... PR.com (press release)
all 3 news articles


Report: Real Estate Prices Down by 1.5% in August
PR Web (press release), WA - 17 hours ago
Real-time real estate statistics by Altos Research show the Las Vegas real estate market continues to be the hardest hit in the country. ...
Where Homes Are Selling Fastest BusinessWeek
Asking Prices Resume Downward Trend; Summer’s Glow Gone? Housing Wire
REALTOR® Reports First Dip in Austin Home Prices in 2008 PR Web (press release)
all 6 news articles


Real estate shake-up strengthens consumer's arm
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - 12 hours ago
Photo / Herald on Sunday In a little over a year, house buyers and sellers ripped off by real estate agents will be able to get up to $100000 compensation. ...
New laws to hold agents accountable Waikato Times
all 2 news articles

Real-Estate - Google News

home | site map
Realty Web Services © 2007 MesaSky Services