Globella Buyers Realty > Resources > San Diego 1031 Tax Deferred Exchange Buyer's Broker: Tips for Investors
 

San Diego 1031 Exchange Buyer’s Agent: Tips for Investors

If you’ve sold an investment property, and you’re looking for a San Diego Buyer’s Agent to help you complete your 1031 Exchange, I can help you. Here are some basics about 1031 exchanges...

Simply put, a 1031 exchange allows you to defer taxes on capital gains from the sale of an investment property. Typically, when you sell a property, you need to pay taxes on any gains (“capital gains tax”) you make from the sale.

With a 1031 exchange, however, you can delay paying taxes on that gain if you reinvest the net sale price of the property into a similar, or “like-kind”, investment property of equal or greater value.

As with any other tax situation, there are important details to consider before entering into a 1031 exchange...

3 Important Details to Consider When Completing a 1031 Exchange in San Diego 

1. What exactly does like-kind mean in a 1031 Exchange?

In the eyes of the IRS, “like-kind” is a very broad term...

As long as BOTH the property you are selling AND the property you are buying are used solely for investment purposes (and they are real estate), they generally qualify for a 1031 exchange.

Eligible property types include: residential rental properties, commercial properties, and vacant land. Investors can also mix and match property types.

For example, you can sell a commercial office building and use the gains from that sale to buy a series of single-family homes (and helping you through the process of purchasing those homes is where I come in).

As long as you use those single-family homes as rental properties (NOT as your primary residence), this will qualify as a 1031 exchange, and you can defer payment of any taxes owed on the gain from the sale of your original property.

2. How does the timing work on a 1031 Exchange?

The timing of a 1031 exchange can vary...

You can simultaneously “swap” one property for another OR you can sell a property and acquire a like-kind property later on.

This latter option is more complicated... But it also offers you more flexibility and time to find the right property. More details on timing below...
 

3. Can I also defer state capital gains taxes with a 1031 Exchange?

In most states - including California - you can also defer state tax when you do a 1031 exchange. The California Ordinary Income Tax (at the time of writing this article) ranges from 9.3% to 13.3%, so a 1031 exchange will allow you to delay payment of that percentage of the gain from your property sale.

A qualified 1031 exchange accountant can help you determine how this may affect you and your tax bill when you're doing a 1031 exchange in San Diego. 

 

3 Tips for Completing a 1031 Exchange in San Diego

1. Learn what types of properties qualify for a 1031 exchange...

You CANNOT exchange a primary residence - the house that you live in - OR a vacation home. These types of properties are NOT considered investment properties in the eyes of the IRS.

An exception to this rule is if your primary residence has been used as a rental property for a period of time before the sale, or if it has been used partially for business purposes, such as a home office or duplex, half of which has been rented. In these cases, it may be possible to combine a 1031 exchange with other sections of the IRS tax code in order to defer capital gains tax on the sale of the home.

2. Hire the right 1031 exchange team, right away.

A 1031 exchange will generally NOT take any longer than a traditional real estate transaction, but it’s important to engage with a 1031 exchange company as soon as you are in escrow on the property you are selling.

There is a strict timetable that needs to be followed to ensure that your 1031 exchange is handled properly, and an expert 1031 exchange company will be best able to walk you through all of the necessary steps.

In the eyes of the IRS, 1031 exchange companies act as “qualified intermediaries” that ensure the security of exchange funds, prepare all exchange documents, and generally make sure that the exchange is handled smoothly and legally.

Your real estate agents are also an important part of your 1031 exchange team. I recommend you hire an experienced San Diego buyer's agent who understands how the 1031 Exchange process works.  
 

3. Tell your buyer's agent you are planning to do a 1031 exchange.

You will want your San Diego REALTORS® to include a 1031 exchange clause in both the purchase agreement and the sale agreement. Discuss the important deadlines you will have, and make sure you have a foolproof strategy for meeting your goals.

Currently, you have 45 days after selling your investment property to identify possible replacement properties. There are specific rules about how many properties you can identify, and your exchange company and your Buyer’s Agent can help you with those.

Then you have 180 days (from the sale of your investment property) to close on your replacement property(ies).
 

The Bottom Line...

A 1031 exchange can be a powerful investment and wealth-building tool if used correctly. As with any investment strategy, it’s important to educate yourself and work with a team of professionals who know the subject inside and out - a trusted 1031 exchange company and an experienced San Diego Exclusive Buyer’s Agent who knows the city’s residential investment property scene.

Contact me with any questions you may have about purchasing an investment property in San Diego.
 

Also Read: 3 Strategies for Investing in San Diego Real Estate

Also Read: Buying a Home as an LLC or Trust: Pros and Cons

Read Also: How Does a Buyer's Agent Actually Get Paid?

Also Read: What is a Buyer Strategy Session?

Also Read: What is an Exclusive Buyer Agent?

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Justin Gramm is the founder and principal broker of Globella Buyers Realty, your San Diego Exclusive Buyer Brokerage.

Exclusive Buyer Agents do not list homes for sale and never represent sellers. They have no "inventory" to try to sell you. They can represent you in purchasing any home. They are specialists at representing buyers only on the buyers' side of the transaction. Exclusive Buyer Agents work to get buyers the best price and terms when they buy a home.

If you are looking for a 1031 Exchange Buyer's Agent in San Diego to purchase an investment property within 90 days, contact Justin Gramm to hire an agent on your side of the transaction (the buyer's side). Call Justin at 858-437-2662 or Email.

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