A 1031 exchange (IRS Code Section 1031) enables investors to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting the proceeds from the sale of their investment property, known as the “relinquished property”, into a qualified “replacement property”. The investor much acquire a replacement property or properties that are of equal or greater value than their relinquished property (including any loan pay off), reinvesting all net proceeds (equity), and following the IRS required guidelines and time-frames.

• What is a DST property? Without exception, DST properties are institutional-grade commercial properties. Examples include office buildings, large apartment complexes, shopping centers and malls. A typical DST property is valued anywhere between $5-50 million dollars, is owned by numerous investors and held by a third-party real estate developer. DST properties are considered DST investments.
• Why make a DST investment? The benefits of a DST structured property investment are that much of the research on projected gains and risks have been researched and completed by a property sponsor. A property sponsor is typically a real estate developer who holds the deed for the property and has prepared a portfolio informing potential trustees on essential information such as demographics of the area, financial projections, tenant profiles, profit/risk factors and more. Additional supporting documentation might include third-party appraisal and environmental reports. Potential investors find this third-party due diligence an attractive element of a DST structured property investment. Additional particular advantages of a DST investment include easier exit strategies for investors, provided liability protections (no need for an LLC), and increased diversification options within the standard 45-day 1031 exchange window.
• What are the risks with DST investments? In order to lessen overall risks of investing in a DST property, locating a real estate developer with a proven track record and DST portfolio is the most important element of the DST investment. DST investments are very much passive investments. This means that investors are not ‘hands on’ with the property. A DST property investment may not be your preferred choice if you favor hands-on property management of real estate investing. It is important for investors to understand the role of all parties you are working with and perform the necessary research to locate an experienced property sponsor. An offering document should also give details on a property sponsor’s past performance and track record. Because a DST investment is usually held from 2-10 years, it is important to consider the term of the trust’s holdings. Enter into a DST property investment knowing that finances will be held for a specific length of time.