Commercial Real Estate Secrets 1031 Exchange vs Deferred Sales Trust: Which Tax Strategy Is Better for Sellers?
What are capital gains — and why do sellers get blindsided by the tax bill after closing?
In this episode of Commercial Real Estate Secrets, Aviva Sonenreich sits down with Paul Ranieri, consultant at Engineered Capital Gains, to break down capital gains taxes in plain English and explain strategies sellers use to defer taxes when a 1031 exchange isn’t the right fit.
Key Topics Discussed
- What capital gains are (simple explanation) and why the IRS is the “silent partner”
- What a 1031 exchange is — and the 45-day / 180-day timing pressure
- Deferred Sales Trust vs 1031: what’s different and when it helps
- Investing pre-tax proceeds and paying taxes later
- Flexibility: real estate vs stocks, bonds, treasuries, annuities
- What happens if the seller dies (estate planning + beneficiary payments)
- Common seller mistakes: lack of planning, not knowing basis, waiting too long
The ethics conversation: why tax deferral exists in the first place
About the Guest:
Paul Ranieri is a consultant at Engineered Capital Gains, working nationally with clients seeking tax-efficient exit strategies for highly appreciated assets.
Website: ecgsinc.com
LinkedIn: Paul Ranieri (message him and mention Aviva’s podcast)
About the Host:
Aviva Sonenreich is a Denver-based commercial real estate broker, Managing Broker at Warehouse Hotline, and host of Commercial Real Estate Secrets.
Save this episode if you might sell real estate or a business in the next 12–24 months — and share it with one owner who’s about to get surprised by capital gains.