Know Who Handles Each Part of Your Exchange
Your broker, your CPA, and your qualified intermediary each own a different piece. Nothing should fall through the gaps.
Who Decides What
Your broker guides property choice, pricing, and offers. Your qualified intermediary holds exchange funds and prepares paperwork. Your CPA confirms eligibility, basis, and gain, then signs off on your filing. Each advisor owns one part. No single advisor replaces the others.
Watching for Conflicts
A qualified intermediary cannot also act as your agent, such as your regular real estate agent or a relative. Keeping roles separate protects your exchange under IRS safe harbor rules. If one advisor wears two hats, ask questions before you sign.
When to Build Your Team
Start as soon as you plan to sell. Bring in your broker to search for replacement property, your CPA to confirm tax treatment, and your qualified intermediary before your sale closes. Add a tax attorney or estate counsel if things get complex.
Sources
Educational only, not tax advice. Your CPA must confirm tax treatment, timing, participation, basis, and filing before you act.
Common questions
Clear answers first. If one question changes the deal, bring it into the review before you move money.
Q1Who decides if my exchange qualifies for tax deferral?+
Your CPA or tax attorney makes that call. They review your property type, use, and timeline against IRS rules. Your broker and qualified intermediary support the process but cannot confirm eligibility for you.
Q2Can my real estate agent also serve as my qualified intermediary?+
No. IRS rules bar your agent from acting as your qualified intermediary. This conflict rule protects your exchange. Choose a separate intermediary to hold your funds and prepare your documents.
Q3When should I bring in a tax attorney?+
Bring one in when your exchange involves complex ownership, entities, or disputes. Your CPA can flag when a situation needs extra legal review. Not every exchange needs an attorney, but complex cases often do.
Map Your Exchange Team
Ready to build your team and your plan? Book a Real Estate Review to talk through your property, your timeline, and the advisors you will need.
Map Your Exchange Team
Ready to build your team and your plan? Book a Real Estate Review to talk through your property, your timeline, and the advisors you will need.
Book a Real Estate ReviewNext steps
Keep moving forward
Real Estate Support for Your Like Kind Exchange
Aditya Kasturi coordinates the real estate side of your 1031 exchange in Seattle and Bellevue, from sale planning through closing with your CPA and QI.
View next stepWhat a Qualified Intermediary Does in an Exchange
Learn what a 1031 exchange qualified intermediary does, when to sign, and what to ask before you close on your Seattle or Bellevue property.
View next stepExchange Your Investment Property Without Losing Your Timeline
Plan a 1031 exchange in Seattle, Bellevue, or Kirkland. We handle sale timing, replacement property search, and closing while your CPA confirms tax treatment.
View next step