The business development manager (BDM) I am working with is the intermediary between me (the business I am a member and manager of) and the underwriter/underwriting team.A few of the communications from my BDM have seemed a bit fuzzy (not clear). 

Unless you are doing a direct exchange (pretty rare these days) you will need to be working with a qualified intermediary PRIOR to closing on the sale of your property.

@Tammy Skeath you should not but check with your 1031 intermediary

In fact, many 1031 providers are set up as national intermediaries.

You don’t need an attorney for the 1031 part, necessarily, but you do need a Qualified Intermediary to conduct the exchange.

Get the team in place for the refinance before closing the bridge, though, to make sure you color within the lines to qualify for the best refinance.I can recommend some good SBA lenders and intermediaries.

In the first two the seller retains title but either completes the improvements themselves or allows you to do it while under lease.In the case of the reverse exchange the Qualified intermediary takes title to the new property while it is improved. 

Additionally, if you get under contract, just make sure you use a qualified intermediary to handle the money after closing; loan payments & pay the bills (property taxes, etc.) and make certain your closing agent, or real estate attorney files the transaction properly with the county of record (all protection for you and your deal).

Does anyone have a recommendation for a qualified intermediary for a 1031 exchange in the Nashville area?

To act as a middleman, or intermediary, that is to not take title to a property but earn a fee on turnover, is actually BROKERING.Further, the term real estate BROKER is technically incorrect.