An alternative investment is an investment that does not fall into the traditional asset class of stocks, bonds, and cash. The most common types of alternative investments are precious metals, oil and gas, venture capital, hedge funds, and real estate. An investment made into a DST to complete a 1031 exchange, for example would be considered an alternative investment. 

Two of the more popular investment options available to 1031 exchangers are the triple net (NNN) lease and the Delaware Statutory Trust (DST). At Chicagoland 1031 Exchange, we’re often asked how the two investment approaches compare. To help answer that question we thought a post highlighting some of the similarities and differences would be beneficial.

July 15th is likely a day circled on the calendar of many people looking to complete a 1031 exchange.  When the IRS issued Notice 2020-23, exchange transactions that fell between March 31, 2020 and prior to July 15, 2020 saw their deadline extended to July 15, 2020. In light of the COVID pandemic, the IRS issued this notice to provide extra time to complete an exchange.  Certainly, I think we all were hopeful that by this time the worst of the pandemic would be behind us. Unfortunately, that does not seem to be the case.  

In times of increased risk and uncertainty, it’s smart for a business to put an even sharper focus on its core competencies. At Chicagoland 1031 Exchange, we put the protection of our client’s interests first rather than simply approving every replacement property offering available on the market. If you’re a new client sitting down with us to explore your exchange options, you can be sure that any property we’re showing you has been vetted on a number of different levels. We truly pride ourselves on the amount of due diligence that goes into choosing the Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) that make it onto our platform.

$1.5 Trillion¹. That’s the amount of outstanding student debt being carried today in the U.S., and most of that burden rests on the shoulders of millennials. The impact this financial obligation has on their housing choices, including their ability to move from renter to homeowner, can’t be overstated.

The Delaware Statutory Trust, or DST, is a popular investment choice for real estate investors interested in deferring capital gains taxes on appreciated property by using a 1031 exchange. We created the eBook — Bringing Clarity to Your 1031 Exchange — to help potential investors better understand the benefits and risks associated with DSTs.