My client has farmland in Southern Illinois with a basis of $9600. He wants to sell the land and expects to realize about $150,000. He wants to use the proceeds plus boot to buy a larger plot of farmland. Sounds like a straight forward 1031, right? Here's the fly in the ointment.
When he came to me I explained the Section 1031 rules and the need for a qualified intermediary. I located a firm called Exeter who would handle the exchange for $795.00. Then came the problems.
The sale of his land was delayed due to easement problems. The farmland he wants to purchase is selling at auction on December 12. He asked me if he could purchase the farmland from his funds and then sell his property within the time frame allowed (a reverse exchange). Exeter advised me that he could do this, but their fee for a reverse exchange would be $6500! Their reason for the increase was due to a more complicated transaction and additional liability.
My questions are first, can anyone recommend another qualified intermediary, and second, if the 1031 can't be done, what might be his options to reduce his taxable gain. He's owned the farmland since 1989, and no improvements have been made.
Thanks for any help with this.
When he came to me I explained the Section 1031 rules and the need for a qualified intermediary. I located a firm called Exeter who would handle the exchange for $795.00. Then came the problems.
The sale of his land was delayed due to easement problems. The farmland he wants to purchase is selling at auction on December 12. He asked me if he could purchase the farmland from his funds and then sell his property within the time frame allowed (a reverse exchange). Exeter advised me that he could do this, but their fee for a reverse exchange would be $6500! Their reason for the increase was due to a more complicated transaction and additional liability.
My questions are first, can anyone recommend another qualified intermediary, and second, if the 1031 can't be done, what might be his options to reduce his taxable gain. He's owned the farmland since 1989, and no improvements have been made.
Thanks for any help with this.
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