Keeping within net sales price for 1031 purchase

[Tracy D.]

We've listed one of our investment properties for sale and we're trying to look at our options for the subsequent purchase.

If we net what we hope to for the sale, we're looking at about $265k ballpark after all is said and done.  Although smaller and lower priced properties needing rehab is what we prefer, we're looking at the option of purchasing something that's "rent ready" this time (since we already have 3 projects in the works as it is).  What we've seen on the market so far that fit the location and house size we prefer is in the $240-255k range......so there would be a bit left over from our net gain of approx. $265k we'd owe tax on.

That being said, would it be possible to offer over ask but have the seller pay all closing costs (from the above ask difference) as a strategy to reduce the taxable gain?