A 1031 exchange is a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that allows real estate investors to defer capital gains taxes on the sale of one investment property by reinvesting the proceeds into another “like-kind” property. This can be a valuable tool for investors who want to grow their portfolio without having to pay a significant tax bill.

The Benefits of a 1031 Exchange

There are several benefits to using a 1031 exchange, including:

• Tax deferral: As mentioned above, a 1031 exchange allows investors to defer capital gains taxes on the sale of one investment property. This can save investors a significant amount of money, especially if the property has appreciated in value.
• Increased investment power: By deferring taxes, investors can use the money they would have paid to the IRS to reinvest in another property. This can help them grow their portfolio faster and achieve their investment goals sooner.\

The Process of a 1031 Exchange

The process of a 1031 exchange can be complex, so it is important to work with a qualified intermediary. The basic steps involved in a 1031 exchange are as follows:

1. Identify the property you want to sell.
2. Find a qualified intermediary.
3. Sign a 1031 exchange agreement with the intermediary.
4. Close on the sale of your property.
5. Identify the replacement property.
6. Close on the purchase of the replacement property.

It is important to note that there are deadlines associated with 1031 exchanges. You must identify the replacement property within 45 days of the sale of the first property. The purchase must be close within 180 days of the first property's sale. If the exchange is not completed within the deadline, the investor will be liable for capital gains taxes on the sale of the first property.

A 1031 exchange can be a valuable tool for real estate investors who want to grow their portfolio without having to pay a significant tax bill. If you are considering selling an investment property, it is important to talk to a qualified realtor that is experienced in investment properties.

Here are a few links to more information:

IRS.gov - Like-Kind Exchanges Under IRC Section 1031

Investopedia - What Is a 1031 Exchange? Know the Rules

A full 45% of Florida homes are part of a homeowner association, the highest percentage by far among all U.S states.

Today’s Homeowner analyzed data from the Foundation for Community Association Research to determine which states have the highest and lowest percentage of homes in HOAs.

Nationally, about 22% of homes are part of an HOA. In Florida, 3.9 million of the state’s 8.6 million homes are in a homeowner association, with an average monthly fee of $389. 

The study noted that residents often have a love-hate relationship with HOAs. Homes in an HOA are, on average, worth about 4% more. But the monthly fees, which generally can increase at any time, may cause potential buyers to pause before making a purchase. And some HOAs have a reputation for crossing the line between what’s good for the community and homeowner autonomy.

HOAs have grown in number by about 13% over the last decade, the study found. The states with the highest percentage of HOA homes are: Florida (45%), Colorado (38.6%), California (36.8%), Washington (31.2%) and Arizona (31.1%). 

Missouri has the highest average HOA monthly fee, at $469, followed by Arizona’s $448. The national average is $390.

Buyers who can afford a home in today's market appear willing to pay even more for luxuries that personalize their space. 

New Zillow® research finds that listings touting chef-friendly amenities, such as steam ovens, pizza ovens and professional-grade appliances, can sell for as much as 5.3% more than similar homes without them. That adds up to about $17,400 on a typical U.S. home. Trendy statement features such as terrazzo and she sheds — the female equivalent of the man cave — can contribute to a 2.5% sale premium when mentioned in a listing description. 

Homes that sell faster than expected — signaling more competing buyers — boast more practical features, such as doorbell cameras, heat pumps and fenced backyards. A doorbell camera and open shelving are relatively affordable upgrades that can improve a home's functionality and boost sale speed by five days and three days, respectively. 

Zillow looked at 271 features and design terms mentioned in listing descriptions across nearly 2 million home sales in 2022. While there are many factors that contribute to a home selling faster or for more than expected, these features reflect what today's buyers are looking for in a home. 

Homes get personal

"Not every buyer will appreciate a chef's kitchen or a putting green in their backyard, but those who do are willing to pay more for these personalized amenities," said Amanda Pendleton, Zillow's home trends expert. "Post-pandemic home buyers who had plenty of time for self-reflection now have a greater sense of what they want and need in a home."

That said, sellers who have invested in personalized features may have to wait a bit longer to find the right buyer. For instance, homes with she sheds can sell for 2.5% more than expected, but spend an extra two days on the market. Similarly, listings that mention wine cellars can command a 1.2% sale premium but take five days longer to sell than similar homes. 

Buyers just want to have fun

Buyers who can not only afford today's higher mortgage rates but also pay above and beyond typical market value appear willing to splurge on fun features designed to impress. Multifunctional homes that offer retreat spaces and features for outdoor entertaining are particularly appealing to post-pandemic buyers, who expect their homes to be a place where they can work and play. 

"Homeowners looking to make the most of their sale can give their listing a wow factor and a dose of luxury by highlighting its outdoor entertainment areas," said Lily Moore, a Zillow Premier Agent in Westlake, Texas. "Mentioning differentiators like a saltwater pool, pizza oven, outdoor kitchen or putting green in a listing description can set a home apart from other properties for sale nearby and increase its selling potential."

Unique materials outshine old favorites

Today's buyers are branching out from traditional finishes, favoring trendy terrazzo floors and surfaces, and textured soapstone countertops over marble and granite. Homes with terrazzo can sell for 2.6% more, which amounts to $8,511 on a typical home. Soapstone can help sell homes for 2.5% more and four days faster than similar homes when mentioned in a listing description. 

Only quartz came close to rivaling these newly popular surfaces, with listings that mention quartz countertops commanding a 2.4% sale premium and selling one day faster than expected. Quartz had been the top-performing surface for two consecutive years. 

Features that don't sell

Certain home features, when mentioned in a listing description, can hurt a home's resale value by potentially signaling to a buyer that a home is dated and needs work. Homes with tile countertops can sell for 1.1% less than expected, while homes with laminate flooring or countertops can sell for 0.6% less than similar homes. Surprisingly, walk-in closets can hurt a home's value by 0.7%, perhaps because buyers no longer view that feature as a selling point and may prefer the space be used for something else. 

Takeaways for spring sellers

Homeowners looking to sell for top dollar this spring will want to highlight these home features if they've got them. But installing a steam oven — or any one of these features — solely for resale may not deliver the ROI they're looking for. These keywords should be viewed instead as signals of perceived quality. These are the features today's buyers associate with a "nice house," along with many other factors that go into that perception. For instance, if a home has a steam oven, the buyer assumes it likely has a lot of other bells and whistles that go into a high-end chef's kitchen. 

There are also geographic differences. A pool may be a must-have in Arizona, but a nuisance in Indiana. A local real estate agent with extensive market knowledge can help sellers highlight the right features to maximize their sale price. Homeowners who are thinking about listing their home this spring can use Agent Finder on Zillow to read reviews and make sure they're partnering with a top-rated pro.

Takeaways for spring buyers

Even in a less frenzied housing market, shoppers can expect more competition for homes with these desirable features. This spring, they have a new tool to quickly find and save all the listings that have these unique amenities. A new AI-powered feature on Zillow allows shoppers to enter phrases like "four-bedroom homes in Charlotte with a steam oven" directly into the Zillow search bar, instead of clicking through filters. This technology gives buyers a speed advantage by notifying them the minute that dream home with a chef's kitchen hits the market. 

Top 10 features that sell for more than expected 

Top 10 features that sell faster than expected

If you’re thinking of selling your home, your mind may be swirling with questions about the process. While it may be tempting to try selling your home on your own, there are many reasons why you may want to consider working with a professional real estate agent. To gain insight, it’s helpful to understand what a real estate agent does and why you might want to hire one. You also may want to consider hiring a Realtor®, which is a professional designation for real estate agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). NAR members subscribe to a strict code of ethics for real estate professionals. 

Why You May Need a Real Estate Agent

Just as you’d likely hire a licensed professional to make repairs to your home, hiring a real estate agent can help give you peace of mind and confidence throughout the selling process. Below are 10 reasons why you may want to hire a real estate agent to sell your home.

1. Real estate agents can help price your home to sell.
Generally, as the seller, your primary goal is to sell your home as quickly as possible at the best price, so you can move on to your next place. However, a significant factor in making a quick sale is ensuring your house is appropriately priced for the market. As the homeowner, it’s easy to think you know what your home is worth, but there’s likely a bit of subjectivity that goes into your estimate. A real estate agent has a more fact-based process that involves pulling comparable recent home sales within a specified radius and reviewing your home against these to determine a fair asking price. If he or she is a professional with no emotional attachment to or biases against your home, your real estate agent can guide you in setting a competitive price that makes sense for the real estate market in your area.

2. They have home selling expertise.
Whether you’ve sold a home in the past or this is your first time, working with a real estate agent can help you gain home selling knowledge that only an expert can provide. That’s not to say tackling the process on your own is impossible. However, since a real estate transaction is likely one of the largest financial transactions you’ll ever make,1 it makes sense to leave the ins and outs to a professional to help ensure all goes smoothly.

3. Real estate agents offer valuable professional service.
As a seller, you can expect to pay a commission to your real estate agent at the closing. That factor alone is the reason behind many “For Sale by Owner” situations. However, it’s worth noting that many real estate agents offer their sellers certain perks at no additional cost, such as a professional photographer to take beautiful photos of your home, a deep-cleaning session, staging advice and more. All of these extras can make a big difference when it comes to how quickly your home sells and may not cost you anything out of pocket.

4. Real estate agents recommend ways to sell your home faster.
One thing most sellers wrestle with is whether they should tackle certain home improvement projects before listing their home for sale. A real estate agent can offer advice that will help you make an educated decision before you invest in a big home project that may or may not pay off during the selling process.

5. Only real estate agents can get your home on the multiple listing service (MLS).
One of the biggest challenges of selling a home without a real estate agent is finding the best way to distribute your home listing to potential buyers. Advertising is a pay-for-play process, so selling your home on your own will require you to spend money up front in order to get your listing in front of as many eyes as possible. Working with a real estate agent provides your home access to the MLS, which is generally considered to be the primary system all real estate agents use to search for the most up-to-date home listings. MLS listings are what most buyers look at when searching for a home.

6. Real estate agents have important connections.
Another benefit of working with a real estate agent is his or her access to valuable connections in the industry. Whether it’s putting you in touch with pros who can help with home repairs or simply sharing your listing with other real estate agents in their office who may have interested clients, your real estate agent can offer resources that may be superior to tackling the process alone.

7. They market your home professionally.
Marketing your home doesn’t begin and end with the listing. There’s much more that goes into it. Real estate agents are constantly marketing your home via their own websites, social media, videos, flyers and through events like open houses or broker luncheons. That alone may be a great reason to work with a real estate agent to sell your home. Not only is marketing your home on your own time-consuming, but you may not necessarily have access to all of the tools that a real estate agent has at his or her disposal.

8. Real estate agents take the time, so you don’t have to.
Speaking of time, selling a home requires a significant time commitment that most people simply don’t have. If you have a job or a family, it will be challenging to manage the entire selling process, from marketing your listing to scheduling showings and handling negotiations. Working with a real estate agent takes all those responsibilities out of your hands and allows you to focus on other things like keeping your home show-ready and finding a new home to move into once your current home sells.

9. Real estate agents handle the negotiation process professionally.
One of the trickiest, yet most important, aspects of the selling process is handling negotiations with potential buyers. A good real estate agent will tackle negotiations professionally and work hard to sell your home for the maximum price so you don’t have to give up any additional sale proceeds aside from agent commissions. Real estate agents handle negotiations day in and day out, so you can feel confident in their ability to look out for your best interests.

10. Real estate agents can offer objective support.
Let’s face it: selling a home is an emotional process. Your house is more than just four walls and a roof; it’s the place you called home and where you created memories that are special to you. Hearing feedback from potential buyers could be a tough pill to swallow – whether it’s something about the house or yard they don’t like, or maybe they do like the house but offered a lower price – having a real estate agent with an objective mindset can help to keep your emotions and stress at bay.

This has been one of the most controversial topics with our clients when it comes to selecting a suitable property for their primary or secondary residence. In my experience, our south Florida second home owners prefer condominiums for simplicity of maintenance and security. The majority of them come from the upper east coast and the mid-upper west of the country, and they are unaware of the ups and downs of living in a community. Most of these individuals reside in single-family houses in their towns, unless they are from metropolitan areas and are surprised at how much room and location they can acquire for their money, and the converse is true for suburban residents who find south Florida properties expensive. Those who live in suburban condominiums are frequently empty nesters on the verge of retirement.

Because condominium rules did not become effective until 1963, many buildings in Florida are still organized as co-ops. Prior to this date, developers would lease such land from a landowner for up to 100 years and build a high- or low-rise building on it, with the lease fee included in the monthly HOA payments. For many individuals, this was a fantastic opportunity to acquire a home at a far lower cost than fee-simple property. Co-ops allowed residents to own a house with the lease and construction costs plus developer profit, resulting in a significant discount on these properties compared to single-family dwellings. People were not concerned about the lease period because 100 years looked far away. There were several examples when the lease had expired and the landowner refused to renew or requested a significant increase in monthly payments, but these were rejected by courts due to public interest and the leases were required to be renegotiated fairly. Of course, there is always uncertainty! Today, the majority of coops either own their property and retain the cooperative structure for complete control, or they acquire the land and convert to a condominium.

Co-ops have share holders rather than owners because, when you engage in a cooperative relationship, you own enough shares to be allocated a certain unit, but you do not receive a deed for that unit. These cooperatives have more authority and are exempt from condo restrictions, allowing share holders to freely select how they want their cooperative to function. Although the Housing Authority continues to oversee them for discrimination and other social concerns, the board members and share holders can dismiss anyone with a majority of votes from the members. That is why many co-ops want to be controlled in this manner so that they may be more stringent about who can become a shareholder and how the premises are used. Another significant disadvantage is the financing of these shares. Only a few local banks may consider financing land-owned co-ops with a minimum 50% down payment for a limited time. Banks do not consider them tangible assets. It's really no different than buying Google shares and receiving free computer rooms, entertainment, and other perks in exchange. These constraints can still result in a terrific deal for people who wish to be in a desirable section of town for half the price.

Condominium regulations were designed for this reason, so that people might own a portion of the building, including a portion of the common spaces, as an asset. When a buyer purchases a condo, he or she receives a deed for that specific unit in the building and agrees to pay HOA fees to the board to cover master insurance, management, and running expenses. The setup is quite similar to a co-op, with the exception of being accountable for the deeded unit and obtaining HO6 insurance. Condominiums are easier to finance based on their budget and the condition of the building, which is why they appreciate significantly faster than co-ops. Some condo buildings are even approved for the FHA's First Time Home Buyers Program, which requires only 3% down. The harsh reality is that 99 percent of structures in South Florida demand a minimum down payment of 10% to 20% and are not FHA-approved. The greater the reserves and the better the state of the building, the greater the down payment and approval on the mortgage note.

These two structures are not the same as single-family residences. The majority of single-family homes are built on fee simple properties, which means that the owner owns both the land and the structure. Unless the laws are different if the home is being financed, the owner has complete authority over property maintenance and insurance. If it is owned outright, the property owner can alter it, from the layout of the backyard to the architectural component of the home, without the need for another vote. Some communities may impose limits on the exterior color or height of the home, but independence is crucial when it comes to owning a single-family home with a high maintenance cost. People want to own a piece of the earth and build a house that represents their worth and image. Finance and transfer are considerably easier because there is no association that needs to authorize the buyer for financials and history. A fee simple property owner has the right to sell the property to anyone at any time.In addition, the building on the site may be destroyed to offer a less expensive option than holding on to it as an investment. The liabilities and taxes on vacant land are quite minimal.

Some alternative communities provide single-family houses through a volunteer group in order to maintain the area more orderly and secure for their inhabitants. With the city's permission, they might decide to put up a car gate or take care of the landscaping in the common area, for example.

The majority of the combined townhouses are fee simple properties; however, there is an association because of the shared roof and planting areas. Some people prefer This way of living is low-maintenance.

Based on the purchase price, the maintenance cost of a single-family home, co-op, or condominium will be quite similar. The key distinction is who and when decides to repair or improve it. Voted board members would be held accountable for any changes made after receiving community approval, whereas the single family owner could do whatever he wants. Ultimately, purchasers pick a lifestyle since either the insurance, landscaping, or utilities are paid through the organization or privately, and the cost is comparable!

1. First-time buyers drop to an all-time low of 26% from 34% just a year ago.

There is no question that housing affordability has shut out first-time buyers with the rise in interest rates and home prices. During the data collection period, buyers also saw the lowest inventory in the U.S. since 1999—a picture that impacted first-time buyers more than any other group as investors jumped in. Potential first-time buyers also face a rise in rental costs making it challenging to save for a down payment.

2. The age of first-time and repeat buyers hit all-time highs.

The age of first-time buyers jumped to 36 from 33 years, where it had been for three years. Provided the headwinds first-time buyers faced, this may not be a surprise. Twenty-six percent of first-time buyers reported "difficulty saving for a down payment" was a challenging task in the buying process and cited higher rental costs, car loans, credit card debt, and student debt as factors holding them back. For repeat buyers, the age has risen to 59 years, up from 56 years in last year's report. Americans feel confident taking on a mortgage later in life and purchasing a primary residence. Trades have happened later as tenure in the home has also increased.

3. The share of White and Hispanic/Latino buyers grew, while Black/African American and Asian/Pacific Islander buyers retreated.

From research produced throughout 2022 by NAR Research, Black/African American renters are paying a disproportionate amount to rental costs. As these rents rise, it is further holding back Black buyers, who are also more likely than others to be first-time buyers. White buyers are most likely to be repeat buyers and to have housing equity to assist them with the down payment of their next property.

4. Small towns and rural areas saw a migration flow while there was a retraction of buying in urban areas and the suburbs.

Buyers choose their neighborhood based on many factors, but the top of the list was the quality of the neighborhood, affordability, and proximity to friends and family. Small towns and rural areas proved to be the winning dynamic for many when making that choice—affordability was key, and family support systems were just down the street.

5. How far a buyer moved jumped to an all-time high of 50 miles from a range that had been steady between 10 to 15 miles.

Buyers' migration to small towns and rural areas was undoubtedly at play. Another factor is remote and hybrid work settings. In January 2021, many headlines touted that CEOs provided employees with permanent remote work. This allowed buyers to separate themselves from city centers or inner suburbs and migrate to farther areas. Zoom towns were the boom towns in the last year.

6. The share of all-cash repeat buyers jumped from 17% to 27% in the past year.

Homeowners have accumulated tremendous housing equity in the last decade and hold about $210,000. This has allowed many to avoid holding a property mortgage and pay all cash for their purchase. As the location to purchase in small towns and rural areas became more popular in the last year, this may have further allowed buyers to move from expensive areas to more affordable ones. The share of first-time buyers who paid all cash remained essentially unchanged at 3%.

7. Tenure in home, before selling, returned to an all-time high of 10 years.

After a pandemic-driven drop last year to eight years in the home, tenure has risen to an all-time high. Between 1987 and 2008, the typical tenure was just six to seven years before someone made a trade. The top reasons sellers made the change in the last year were to be closer to friends and family, moving due to retirement, and their neighborhood had become less desirable. In past years, moving had been more common due to a change in a family situation or a job relocation.

8. Expected tenure for first-time buyers hits an all-time high of 18 years, up from seven years in 2007.

If a first-time buyer was able to enter the homeownership ladder in the last year, they would have less intention of moving from their home quickly. The expected tenure of first-time buyers even surpasses that of repeat buyers of 15 years. Buyers have locked-in rates in a rising rate environment, which likely plays a key factor. For others, the ability to purchase a home in a less urban area may mean just skipping the starter home altogether. One note is that expected tenure is always longer than actual tenure, as buyers have just finished the tremendous hurdle of finding a home and purchasing.

9. Buyers are diversifying where they pull together the down payment for a home.

Given the rise in home prices, buyers are pulling together funds from multiple sources for their down payment. First-time buyers rely on savings as the primary source, but 22% (down from 28% last year) did use a gift or loan from friends/family, and 15% either sold stocks/bonds or took a loan from their 401k/retirement fund. New this year, 2% of first-time buyers sold cryptocurrency to help with the down payment. While half of repeat buyers used proceeds from the sale of their past home, this does not work for all. Forty-one percent used savings, and 11% even sold stock or took a retirement loan.

10. First-time buyers moving directly from a family member's home into homeownership is at an all-time high.

Twenty-seven percent of first-time buyers had this prior living arrangement, up from 21% the past year. These buyers were able to skip rental increases by moving into a home. This allowed first-time buyers to pay down debt, work on their credit scores and save for a downpayment the way others may not have been able to. The share of first-time buyers who rented before buying dropped to 64% from 73%.

11. Buyers and sellers use and want the help and expertise of a real estate agent.

Eighty-eight percent of buyers used a real estate agent to purchase their home. Buyers are most satisfied with their agent's honesty and integrity, and knowledge of the purchase process. For sellers, 86% used an agent to help sell their home. Sixty-three percent of sellers used an agent that they had worked with before or that was referred to them. Sellers most wanted their agent to price the home competitively, help market the home to potential buyers, and sell within a specific time frame.