In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we stay on our tax and legal strategies theme and break down one of the most powerful tools in real estate investing: the 1031 exchange. We walk through what a 1031 actually is, how it lets you defer capital gains taxes when you swap one investment property for another, and why it’s such a big lever for portfolio growth, net worth, and long-term scaling.
We talk about the 45-day identification and 180-day closing rules, the role of a qualified intermediary, and how to move from a duplex into a four-family, commercial building, or even build-to-rent projects without triggering immediate tax. We also dig into estate planning, step-up in basis for your heirs, and advanced strategies like reverse exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), and combining multiple exchanges to diversify.
Of course, we cover the other side too—strict timelines, zoning and legal pitfalls, choosing the wrong intermediary, and why you never want to “test” the IRS on this stuff.
If you’ve ever wondered how investors use 1031s to climb the ladder from small rentals to bigger assets while deferring taxes along the way, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap to get started.
Quotables
“The one person you never really want to challenge is the IRS.”
“This investment strategy is one that there’s no gray area. It’s very cut and dry.”
“You can expedite your success in real estate investing, but you have to go about it the right way.”
Links
RCN Capital
https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast
REI INK
