As a national 1031 qualified intermediary, our team often receives inquiries regarding whether an investor considering a 1031 exchange can buy a replacement property before they sell (relinquish)?The short answer is yes, a taxpayer selling real estate can use the 1031 exchange process in reverse. Unlike a forward exchange, where sale proceeds are held in escrow, this arrangement involves “parking” the title to the replacement property with an exchange accommodator until the sale occurs. Parking arrangements come in several flavors; however, this overview focuses on scenarios where an investor can benefit from a reverse 1031 exchange. Please keep in mind that a reverse exchange applies to the acquisition of a new property and does not apply to properties for which the seller has already acquired title. It is not retroactive!

A reverse 1031 exchange enables an investor to purchase replacement real estate prior to relinquishing property and still obtain the tax benefits of a 1031 exchange. Although reverse exchanges are less common than a forward 1031 exchange where there is a sale followed by a purchase within 180-days of the sale; investors utilize reverse exchanges for a variety of reasons:

• Business Relocation – Where a business is relocating from the relinquished property to the replacement property, utilizing a reverse exchange can help minimize business disruption. A reverse exchange allows the business to acquire its new space and transfer property/employees to that space before closing on the sale of their old space, effectively allowing access to both spaces at the same time. Using a variation called an improvement exchange, the business has the option to build their new space to suit and can count the cost of the improvements as part of their exchange. This is a huge benefit for a company selling their old facility or office at a gain.

• Hot Market – In a “seller’s market” where properties remain on the market for a short period of time, the taxpayer can negotiate to buy a replacement property and park it with an accommodator. This eliminates the concern to meet the IRS 1031 identification deadlines (45-day period).

• Lock in the ideal replacement property – An investor locates a great replacement property; however, the relinquished property has not yet sold but will sell fast. The time to purchase cannot be extended to effect a forward 1031 exchange. The investor can take advantage of a valuable “buy opportunity” by closing the replacement property first and can utilize the full 180-day exchange period to complete the sale.

• Unexpected delay – The sale falls through or is delayed, and the investor is already under contract to purchase the replacement property. If the investor is unable to extend the time to close on the replacement property, a reverse exchange can be a solution to prevent a default and still benefit from a 1031 exchange.

Contribution by:

James T. Walther, Esq., LL.M., Vice President and General Counsel, Legal 1031 Exchange Services, LLC.

Legal 1031 is a national qualified intermediary experienced in facilitating 1031 exchanges of all levels of complexity. Visit Legal1031.com for more information.

Please call (631) 363-1031 or e-mail to discuss your potential options.

_________________

Legal 1031 Exchange Services LLC does not provide tax or legal advice, nor can we make any representations or warranties regarding the tax consequences of any transaction. Taxpayers must consult their tax and/or legal advisors for this information. Unless otherwise expressly indicated, any perceived federal tax advice contained in this article/communication, including attachments and enclosures, is not intended, or written to be used, and may not be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.

Copyright © 2023 Legal 1031 Exchange Services LLC. All rights reserved. No rights claimed with respect to public domain and fair use materials contained or linked in this article.