#395: How to Sell a Rental and Pay ZERO Taxes (1031 Exchange Step-by-Step)
Mar 24, 2025
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Char Tovar, a savvy real estate investor, transformed a $48,000 investment into over $250,000 using the 1031 exchange strategy. She shares her fascinating journey from part-time to full-time investor, detailing her strategic decision-making when navigating long-distance real estate markets. Tovar explains the intricacies of 1031 exchanges, including critical timelines and the role of qualified intermediaries. Listeners gain insights into maximizing property investments while understanding the importance of a reliable local team and market analysis.
Char Tovar's strategic use of the 1031 exchange allowed her to defer $21,000 in taxes and reinvest for significant growth.
Her adaptive investment strategy evolved from short-term rentals to long-term holdings, showcasing her ability to pivot based on market conditions.
Deep dives
Char's Real Estate Journey
Char began her real estate investing journey in 2018, initially working part-time while maintaining a W-2 corporate job. After relocating from Kansas City to Seattle, she focused on building her rental property portfolio, acquiring multiple properties, including a switch to short-term rentals in Phoenix. However, realizing her preference for passive investment, she returned to long-term rentals and eventually transitioned to full-time investing in 2024. This journey highlights Char's adaptability and strategic approach to real estate, as she balances both passive buy-and-hold investing with active flipping and wholesaling.
Identifying a Profitable Property
In June 2021, Char purchased a single-family rental property in Clarksville, Tennessee, for $192,000, putting down $48,000. She emphasized the importance of using local teams for due diligence, finding a reliable agent and property manager who worked together seamlessly. The chosen property was strategically aligned with her investment criteria, being in a high-demand area near good schools, which ensured its desirability. This decision resulted in strong cash flow from the beginning, with rents increasing from $1,250 to $1,450 during her ownership.
The Power of a 1031 Exchange
After owning the Clarksville property for four years, Char made the strategic decision to sell it for $275,000, realizing significant equity gains. The sale was facilitated by a potential buyer who was already a tenant, which simplified the process and reduced sales costs. Char applied a 1031 exchange, a strategic tax-deferral method, to avoid approximately $21,000 in taxes on the sale, allowing her to reinvest the proceeds. Engaging a qualified intermediary was crucial in this process, providing the necessary oversight and facilitating the transaction smoothly.
Growing with New Investments
After completing the 1031 exchange, Char purchased a new property in Washington for $300,000, utilizing part of her proceeds. This property was acquired through seller financing, allowing her to negotiate favorable terms, including a 4.5% interest rate and a balloon payment due in ten years. Char has already established a solid rental income of $1,800 per month from this property, generating positive cash flow while planning potential renovations. With this growth, she aims to explore more multi-family properties, leveraging her increasing equity and experience in the real estate market.
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🎙️ Episode #395 – What if you could turn a single real estate deal into a 6-figure payday - tax-free? Investor Char Tovar did just that, using a powerful but often overlooked strategy. Hear how she pulled it off!