6 Best 1031 Exchange Companies

1031 Exchange is a great way for real estate investors to defer the payment of capital gains taxes on an investment property that they sell, as long as they use the money to buy a similar investment property. Because of legal requirements, investors cannot complete a “like-kind” property exchange on their own, so they need the help of a Qualified Intermediary, or a 1031 Exchange company.

In this article, we’ve ranked the 6 best 1031 Exchange companies in the US market. We’ve looked at the services they cover, the markets in which they operate, the fees that they charge, and what investors who’ve used them think about them. We selected the companies that offer the best value for money in a few different categories.

The best 1031 exchange companies are:

• IPX1031: Best Overall 1031 Exchange Company
• Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Complicated Exchange Types
• First American Exchange Company: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Online Services
• 1031 Services, Inc.: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Different Types of Exchanges
• Growth 1031: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Investor Education
• 1031X: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Fee Structure

New to the 1031 exchange process and have questions? Schedule a 15-minute call with the Awning team to discuss options and understand how to best handle the 1031 exchange.

How We Chose the Best 1031 Exchange Companies

In our review and ranking of the 6 best 1031 Exchange companies, we considered several factors and indicators. We aimed to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the coverage and quality of services of each exchange company. Then, we’ve sorted them in 6 different categories to cover the needs of different investors.

We focused on the following criteria:

• Services: We searched for companies that provide full services in like-kind property exchanges so that both beginner and experienced investors can benefit from their help.
• Market coverage: We looked for 1031 Exchange companies that work across all 50 US states.
• Costs: We aimed for companies that have a clear pricing structure available on the company website so that investors can know what fees to expect.
• Online reviews: We checked the number of online reviews by customers and the overall rating of each company.
• Value for money: We focused on 1031 Exchange companies which offer the highest value for money in each selected category.

IPX1031: Best Overall 1031 Exchange Company 

IPX1031 is the largest 1031 Exchange company in the US. The company acts as a full-service Qualified Intermediary in all types of tax deferred 1031 Exchange transactions in all 50 US states.

IPX1031 was founded in 1988, with headquarters in Chicago, IL. The company mission is to provide industry-leading exchange services including guidance, expertise, and security.

IPX1031 Costs

IPX1031 does not explain its pricing structure on the company website. The fees of most top 1031 Exchange companies depend on the type of 1031 Exchange, the values of the exchanged properties, and the market.

IPX1031 Services

IPX1031 is a full-service 1031 Exchange company which acts as a Qualified Intermediary. The company works with the following exchanges:

• Delayed Exchanges
• Reverse Exchanges
• Improvement Exchanges

As a national leader in the industry and a Fidelity National Financial company, IPX1031 offers additional protection to investors:

• $100 million Fidelity Bond to satisfy the financial obligations of the company in the unlikely event of a company failure
• $50 million Written Performance Guarantee to ensure the taxpayer exchange funds are returned in the amount of deposit
• $30 million Errors and Omissions Insurance to safeguard against employee negligence resulting in a loss to the taxpayer

IPX1031 covers all 50 US states through a presence in 35 locations and nationwide experts.

IPX1031 Reviews

There are only a few online reviews of IPX1031 revealing positive experiences.

You can find IPX1031 reviews on:

• Facebook: Currently 5.0/5 stars based on 13 reviews
• Birdeye: Currently 5.0/5 stars based on 3 reviews
• Yelp: Currently 3.0/5 stars based on 2 reviews

Satisfied customers praise the integrity, professionalism, skillfulness, and communication of the IPX1031 team. Dissatisfied customers complain about the lack of proper communication and the lack of flexibility on behalf of the team.

IPX1031 covers the basic 1031 Exchange types and the entire US market as expected from the best companies in the industry. The additional level of security offered by IPX1031 positions it as the best overall 1031 Exchange company.

To get started, real estate investors can visit the IPX1031 website or call 888-771-1031.

Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Complicated Exchange Types

Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC is a leading national Qualified Intermediary that works with all 1031 Exchanges. The company provides full services to investors doing a “like-kind” exchange and operates in all 50 US states.

Bill Exeter founded Exeter 1031 Exchange Services in 2005, with headquarters in San Diego, CA. The company mission is to deliver a better, safer, and more secure 1031 Exchange experience to investors by depositing, holding, and safeguarding clients’ funds in separate, segregated, dual-signature Qualified Trust Accounts through Exeter Trust Company. Exeter was built to protect clients as a best practices financial services firm.

Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC Costs

Exeter 1031 Exchange Services does not provide an estimate of the cost which investors can expect to incur. The company website mentions it charges a typical setup or administrative fee of $850 to $1,200 for each 1031 Exchange. However, there are additional fees and charges that investors should expect to have to cover, which are not available on the website.

Meanwhile, third-party online sources say that Exeter charges $700-$1,800 per transaction for Delayed 1031 Exchange and $5,000+ for Reverse 1031 Exchange and Built-To-Suit 1031 Exchange.

Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC Services

Exeter 1031 Exchange Services provides comprehensive 1031 Exchange services, functioning as both a Qualified Intermediary (Accommodator) and an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder.

Exeter offers services in all types of 1031 Exchanges including:

• Forward/Delayed 1031 Exchanges
• Reverse 1031 Exchanges
• Improvement/Built-To-Suit/Construction 1031 Exchanges

This best 1031 Exchange company works with individual, corporate, and institutional investors. The company operates in all 50 US states through dedicated local administration teams that provide customized programs to meet the unique needs of every investor.

Besides 1031 Exchanges, Exeter also specializes in Self-Directed IRA Services, Title Holding Trust Services, Specialty Holding Escrow Services, and Custody Account Services.

Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC Reviews

There are a few dozen online reviews of Exeter 1031 Exchange Services that show positive experiences.

You can find Exeter 1031 Exchange Services reviews on:

• Birdeye: Currently 4.6/5 stars based on 33 reviews including 23 Google reviews
• Yelp: Currently 4.0/5 stars based on 20 reviews
• Google: Currently 4.5/5 stars based on 19 reviews

Satisfied customers praise the knowledgeable team, the level of professionalism, the smooth processes, and the fast execution. Meanwhile, dissatisfied customers complain about lack of consideration for investors’ timelines, delays, lower property prices, unexpected taxes, and poor communication.

Exeter can complete even the most complex types of 1031 Exchanges with excellence. That’s why we’ve ranked it as the best company for complicated exchanges.

To get started, real estate investors can visit the Exeter 1031 Exchange Services website or call 866-393-8370.

First American Exchange Company: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Online Services

First American Exchange Company is a Qualified Intermediary and a leading provider of 1031 Exchanges in the US market. The 1031 Exchange company is backed by the First American Financial Corporation, a major global provider of title insurance, settlement services, and risk solutions for real estate transactions.

First American Exchange was founded in 1990, with headquarters in Salt Lake City, UT. The company mission is to make 1031 tax exchange transactions as seamless as possible.

First American Exchange Company Costs

First American Exchange Company charges a range of different fees, depending on the type of 1031 Exchange. For a Delayed Exchange, they charge $450-$900 for replacement property and $740-$1,300 for relinquished property. For a Simultaneous Exchange, the fee is between $1,000 and $1,800. More complex exchanges like Reverse Exchanges, Built-To-Suit Exchanges, and Improvement Exchanges are charged separately. Investors need to get in touch with the company for specific quotes.

First American Exchange Company Services

First American Exchange is a full-service 1031 Exchange company. The company works with:

• Delayed 1031 Exchanges
• Reverse 1031 Exchanges

First American Exchange covers all 50 US states directly and through its network of agents and partners. A lot of the work can be done online, which gives the company a competitive edge over more traditional 1031 Exchange companies.

Besides offering comprehensive services related to 1031 Exchanges, First American Exchange also provides a lot of educational materials online which can help investors learn more about the process and the advantages. The free online calculators available on the company website allow investors to estimate how much capital gains tax they will defer before they even start.

First American Exchange Company Reviews

There are only a few online reviews of First American Exchange Company, which is unusual for such a large company with nationwide coverage.

You can find First American Exchange reviews on:

• Redfin: Currently 4.7/5 stars based on 5 reviews
• Yelp: Currently one 1.0/5 stars review
• Birdeye: Currently one 1.0/5 stars review

Positive reviews highlight the professionalism, helpfulness, and responsiveness of the team. Negative reviews mention lack of enough attention to individual investors and unexpectedly high fees.

Besides covering all the basics of the best 1031 Exchange companies, First American Exchange provides more online services than competitors. That’s why it’s the top company in this category.

To get started, real estate investors can visit the First American Exchange Company website or call 800-556-2520.

1031 Services, Inc.: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Different Types of Exchanges

1031 Services, Inc. is a nationwide Qualified Intermediary and Exchange Accommodation Titleholder for 1031 Exchanges. The company has worked in different types of 1031 Exchanges in all 50 US states.

Jeremiah M. Long founded 1031 Services, Inc. in 1989, with headquarters in Seattle, WA. The company mission is to provide investors with the expertise and backup necessary to make the exchange run as smoothly as possible.

1031 Services, Inc. Costs

1031 Services, Inc. does not publish its fees and pricing structure on the company website. In most cases, the costs of working with one of the best 1031 Exchange companies depend on the type of exchange, the value of the properties, and the market.

1031 Services, Inc. Services

1031 Services, Inc. is a full-service 1031 Exchange company, which operates as both a Qualified Intermediary in a deferred exchange and an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder in a reverse exchange or an improvement exchange. However, the company does not operate as a Tax Counsel. Instead, they work with investors and their Tax Counsels to structure the transactions.

1031 Services covers the following types of 1031 Exchanges:

• Forward Exchanges
• Reverse Exchanges and Structures
• Improvement Exchanges
• Multi-Asset Exchanges
• Construction Exchanges

1031 Services, Inc. works with both large publicly held companies and individual investors with single rental properties. Investors can be as involved in the process as they want.

The company covers all 50 US states, and they work with other Qualified Intermediaries across the US market.

Besides its specific services related to 1031 Exchanges, 1031 Service also organizes The Annual Jeremiah Long Memorial National Conference on Like-Kind Exchanges Under Section 1031 I.R.C. This year will be the 27th edition of the conference. 

1031 Services, Inc. Reviews

There are no online reviews of 1031 Services, Inc. Investors considering using this company can ask about others’ experiences with it on real estate investment forums before making a final decision.

1031 Services, Inc. works with more types of 1031 Exchanges than any other Qualified Intermediary. This makes it the best company for different types of exchanges.

To get started, real estate investors can visit the 1031 Services, Inc. website or call 425-646-4020.

Growth 1031: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Investor Education

Growth 1031 is a full-service 1031 Exchange company. The company works as both a Qualified Intermediary and an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder. This like-kind exchange company operates across the US market.

Lance Growth founded Growth 1031 in 2017, with headquarters in San Diego, CA and New York, NY. The company mission is to help clients understand every stage of the process when conducting a 1031 Exchange and share as much knowledge with real estate investors as possible.

Growth 1031 Costs

Growth 1031 does not publish its fees on the company website, which is the case with most of the best 1032 Exchange companies in the US. The cost usually depends on the exchange type, the property value, and the location.

Growth 1031 Services

Growth 1031 offers comprehensive services related to 1031 Exchanges. They work with:

• Delayed Exchanges
• Reverse Exchanges

In addition, the company provides free consultations for investors, before they commit to working with Growth 1031. Furthermore, Growth 1031 offers various online educational resources on 1031 Exchanges including basic guides, articles, frequently asked questions, and explanatory videos.

The company operates in all 50 US states.

Growth 1031 Reviews

There are only a few online reviews of Growth 1031, which reveal positive experiences.

You can find Growth 1031 reviews on:

• Yelp: Currently 5.0/5 stars based on 11 reviews

Happy customers praise the knowledge, expertise, accurateness, and careful consideration of the Growth 1031 team.

Similar to the other best 1031 Exchange companies, Growth 1031 provides comprehensive services across all US states. Where the company exceeds is in the provision of online educational resources and free consultations to interested investors.

To get started, real estate investors can visit the Growth 1031 website or call 619-991-1031.

1031X: Best 1031 Exchange Company for Fee Structure

1031X is a full-service 1031 Exchange company which helps investors keep all their gains with a Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange. The company focuses on client needs, innovation, constant development, unshakeable standards, and familial attitude.

Steven Hickox and Christopher Sayre founded 1031X in 1994, with headquarters in Denver, CO. The company mission is to be the nation’s best 1031 Exchange company through the provision of the best service experience, the fastest delivery, the most secure transactions, and complete peace of mind.

1031X Costs

Unlike other best 1031 Exchange companies, 1031X has a clear pricing structure for the services that it provides. A standard 1031 Exchange costs $950, a Reverse 1031 Exchange starts at $5,500, and Construction 1031 Exchange starts at $6,500. The charge for a Customer 1031 Exchange is customized.

1031X Services

1031X provides comprehensive services related to a few different 1031 Exchanges. These include:

• Forward Exchanges
• Reverse Exchanges
• Construction Exchanges
• Custom Exchanges

1031X works across the entire US market, in all 50 states.

In addition, the company offers free consultations to investors who are still not sure how 1031 Exchanges work. They also provide access to online educational resources including a knowledge center, articles, and frequently asked questions and free online calculators.

1031X Reviews

There are only a few online reviews of 1031X that are positive.

You can find 1031X reviews on:

• Facebook: Currently 5.0/5 stars based on 5 reviews

Happy investors highlight the professionalism, knowledge, accurate information, support, and fast processes provided by the 1031X team.

Unlike most 1031 Exchange companies, 1031X has a clear, transparent pricing structure which is published on the company website. This makes it the best 1031 Exchange company for fees and costs.

To get started, real estate investors can visit the 1031X website or call 855-457-1031.

Takeaway

IPX1031 is the best 1031 Exchange company in the US market. It provides comprehensive services in all 50 US states, while offering more security and protection to investors than any other company in the market. If you’re looking to conduct a complex type of 1031 Exchange, Exeter 1031 Exchange Services, LLC and 1031 Services, Inc. are also worth considering. If you’re just getting started in real estate and need extra support and consultations, Growth 1031 might be the best option.