Property that Doesn’t Qualify for 1031 Exchange Treatment

The first question many taxpayers have when they're considering a 1031 exchange is: "does my property qualify?" Here is a quick breakdown of property that does not qualify for 1031 deferred exchange treatment.

Disqualified 1031 Property

Anything that's not used for investment or business purposes or used in one's trade does not qualify for 1031 treatment because section 1031 is only for that which is used in investment, business, or trade. Certain assets are also excluded specifically such as stocks, bonds, and evidences of indebtedness. Partnership interests are also excluded, although there are some exceptions. If you want to do a 1031 exchange, you need to stay inside of the strike zone for 1031 exchanges. For more information check out: The 1031 Strike Zone - Does My Property Qualify?

Troublesome Property Types

Some of the troublesome issues and types of properties to look out for are:

• § 1031s with lake cabins or second homes that may have been used for personal use.

• § Flip and rehab properties that may have been held primarily for re-sale.

• § Buying sheriff certificates and foreclosed properties subject to long redemption right.

• § Partnership interests, stock in corporations and cooperatives.

Finally, bear in mind that foreign property is not-like kind to US property.

• Start Your 1031 Exchange: If you have questions about what types of property qualifies for 1031 treatment, feel free to call me at 612-643-1031.

Defer the tax. Maximize your gain.

© 2025 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved

Exploring the Drop and Swap 1031 Exchange

As with most real estate transactions, 1031 exchanges can be relatively simple, or extremely complex depending on the various factors involved. This is especially true when you’re dealing with property owned by a business entity. The drop and swap is a common 1031 exchange tactic used when there are multiple co-owners of a property. In this article, we are going to talk about drop and swap exchanges of like-kind property.

What is a Drop & Swap Exchange?

Real estate can often be held collectively by multiple owners in a partnership, trust, or LLC. This type of set up can make things tricky if some of the owners want to sell the property while others want to do a 1031 exchange. This is where a drop and swap can come in handy. Essentially, this involved reconfiguring the ownership of the property to tenancy-in-common. That allows each individual owner to do a 1031 exchange on their interest in the property.

It’s important to get ahead of the curve with a situation like this and get planning well before the sale of the property. If you scramble at the last minute (right before closing) to set up a tenancy-in-common, the IRS may not treat the exchange as legitimate. Early planning is key.

Commercial Real Estate 1031 Exchange

Are you looking to sell commercial real estate, but don’t want to be saddled with a capital gains tax bill? A 1031 exchange may be the best option for your situation. Working with a qualified intermediary can ensure that your exchange of real property goes off without any issues. Reach out to our qualified intermediaries today to discuss the details of your like-kind exchange. Our offices are located in downtown Minneapolis but we work with clients all over the state and across the country.

• Start Your 1031 Exchange: If you have questions about 1031 exchanges, feel free to call me at 612-643-1031.

Defer the tax. Maximize your gain.

© 2025 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved

2 FAQs About 1031 Exchanges in Minneapolis

We recently assisted a real estate broker with a 1031 exchange for their client who was selling a duplex in the Twin Cities. They intended to move the proceeds from the sale into a fourplex property in a 1031 exchange. Here are some pertinent questions relating to this particular 1031 exchange that may be applicable to other exchanges.

Commercial Plus Residential Space

Is there a problem with one of the properties having commercial rental space as well as residential? One place, in particular, has three apartments with 2800 sq ft of commercial space below.

The replacement property must be held for investment or business purposes and may be residential or commercial rentals (or a combination of both).

Rolling Proceeds into More than One Property

Is it possible to roll the sales proceeds from the relinquished property into more than one replacement property?

You are allowed to purchase multiple replacement properties (provided that they are designated / Identified in writing within 45 days of the closing of the relinquished property).

• Start Your 1031 Exchange: If you have questions about 1031 exchanges, feel free to call me at 612-643-1031.

Defer the tax. Maximize your gain.

© 2023 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved

How to Take Title to a 1031 Replacement Property

In a 1031 exchange, taxpayer “A” typically sells their relinquished property and receives the replacement property, and everything matches up identically. But sometimes taxpayers want to take title to the replacement property in a different fashion. Let’s talk about some of the different ways you can do that.

Form a Single Member LLC

One idea is to form a single member LLC that is wholly owned by taxpayer “A.” The new LLC (let’s call it NewCo) can purchase the replacement property and from the perspective of the IRS it’s still taxpayer “A” that’s receiving the replacement property through its ownership of NewCo.  This is because NewCo is disregarded and seen as transparent by the IRS.

Revocable Living Trust

Another possibility is that a taxpayer may want to take title to the replacement property in a revocable living trust. A revocable living trust operates under the taxpayer’s social security number and for tax purposes it’s a disregarded entity – no different from the taxpayer. As long as they’re in a revocable trust and the grantor of that trust is the taxpayer, then taxpayer “A” could buy the replacement property as trustee of their own revocable trust.

• Start Your 1031 Exchange: If you have questions about 1031 exchanges, feel free to call me at 612-643-1031.

Defer the tax. Maximize your gain.

© 2023 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved

Determining What Items Can be Reimbursed in a Like-Kind Exchange

Many taxpayers conducting a 1031 exchange have questions about what can and cannot be reimbursed at closing. Can the following items be reimbursed to the seller at closing for a 1031 transaction?

• Staging

• Light Timer

• Cleaning Supplies

• Handyman Work

• Painting

• Changing locks

• Repair to Boiler

The short answer is no. None of these items may be reimbursed to the seller in a 1031 exchange. All of the proceeds should be sent to the 1031 account.

Generally, only “transactional items” that are “customary” may be paid out of the proceeds. These seem more like operational repairs and ownership/maintenance expenses and not customary. These do not seem transactional or routinely on closing statements. From the IRC:

• (ii) Transactional items that relate to the disposition of the relinquished property or to the acquisition of the replacement property and appear under local standards in the typical closing statements as the responsibility of a buyer or seller (e.g., commissions, prorated taxes, recording or transfer taxes, and title company fees).

It’s a good idea to consult with your accountant or CPA about this matter as well.

1031 Exchange Professionals

At CPEC1031, LLC we have been working in the 1031 exchange industry for the past two decades. Our team of qualified intermediaries can help you through any type of like-kind exchange under section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. Contact us today to learn more about our services and see how we can help you defer capital gains taxes on the sale of qualifying real property.

• Start Your 1031 Exchange: If you have questions about 1031 exchanges, feel free to call me at 612-643-1031.

Defer the tax. Maximize your gain.

© 2022 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved