INVESTOR'S GUIDE

WHAT IS A 1031 EXCHANGE?

A straight forward walk through of how investors sell appreciated real estate, defer the capital gains tax, and roll the full proceeds into their next property.

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INVESTOR'S GUIDEBOOK

A big commitment,
explained in plain language

A 1031 exchange doesn't have to be difficult. The key is understanding the mechanics before you're on the clock. This guide walks through how a like-kind exchange actually works, using non-technical language, worked examples, and clear timelines throughout.

  • What a Section 1031 like-kind exchange is and how it works
  • The potential benefits of deferring capital gains tax
  • The rules, deadlines, and risks to know before you start
  • How to identify and close on a replacement property
  • A step-by-step roadmap from sale to filing

WHAT DEFERRAL IS ACTUALLY WORTH

One sale. Two very different outcomes.

A simplified, hypothetical scenario from inside the guide: an investor sells a $1.7M property and reinvests at a 5.5% target return, with and without exchanging.

SELL OUTRIGHT

$ 71,707

annual income, after paying ~$396K in combined taxes

1031 EXCHANGE

$ 93,500

annual income, full $1.7M proceeds reinvested

≈30% more annual income from the same capital event, no better deal required

Hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only; it does not represent an actual or specific investment. Actual figures depend on individual tax circumstances and are never guaranteed. Consult your tax advisor. Full math is in Section Two of the guide.

INSIDE THE GUIDE

Seven sections, start to close

Written to be read start to finish or used as a reference while you're actually mid-exchange.

What is a 1031 Exchange?

The mechanics, the vocabulary (relinquished property, qualified intermediary, like-kind), and why the strategy has survived a century of tax reform.

The Potential Benefits

Every layer of tax a sale can trigger (federal, state, recapture, the NIIT surtax) and a worked example of what deferring all of it is worth.

The Fine Print: Rules, Deadlines, and Risk

The 45- and 180-day clocks, the year-end filing trap, constructive receipt, and the risks that apply regardless of how the exchange is structured.

Choosing a Replacement Property

How wide "like-kind" really is, why location isn't a constraint, and the identification rules for naming backup candidates.

When You'd Rather Not Manage the Replacement

A passive ownership path that still satisfies the like-kind requirement, for investors who want the deferral without taking on another property to run.

The KNPRE Roadmap

The same six steps apply either way: prepare, engage a QI, sell, identify, close or invest, and report.

About Keystone

Who we are, how our team works, and what to expect if you reach out.

FREE DOWNLOAD

Get the guide before your next decision

Whether a sale is already on the table or you're planning years out, this is the reference to read before the 45-day clock starts.

+1 (212) 575-2152  ·  invest@knpre.com  ·  New York | Los Angeles

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