1031 exchange process

[Anita Ahuja]

HI . Planning on a 1031 exchange with 200k in phoenix. My question is can I do any real estate transactions w 1031 money or do I need specifically to buy the same type of investment that was sold? How is the fix and flip market in Phoenix? For experience investors, what would you do for best cash return? When I did the math of buying an investment property, say a 400k 3/2 with 50% down, the math quite frankly sucks! Cash flow is only about $300/month and don't get me started on the CoCROI ! What's an out of state investor to do? 

I live in the bay area, have 2 kids in private schools and one of them with special needs. Cash flow is my primary goal with appreciation secondary. 

Thanks!! Glad to be back to this forum! I heart Phoenix!

[Dave Foster]

@Anita Ahuja, You can use your 1031 exchange to invest in any type of actual real estate that you intend to use for investment.  The type does not matter.  The reason why REITS and most syndications will not work (@Kay March) is that you are not purchasing actual real estate.  You are purchasing a membership interest in an entity that owns real estate.  There is a process called a 721 exchange or an upreit that can be used once in a while to get into a reit.  But these are fews and there's some fatal flaws if you're wanting to defer your tax for any length of time.

Kay is spot on with her recommendation to look into DSTs if you're wanting to go passive.  They are basically a syndication whose structure has been blessed by the IRS for 1031 exchanges.  Other than that you can look at any type of real estate anywhere in the country for your replacement.