1031 qualified intermediary - which QI actually fits your exchange?
Accruit, IPX1031, API, 1031 Corp. 4 questions. No email gate.
QI risk is real: 1031 funds sit in a qualified intermediary account during the exchange window. A QI insolvency or mistake can cost your entire deposit and disqualify the exchange. Insurance, bonding, and bank segregation aren't optional features.
QI fit matrix
| Scenario | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Standard delayed exchange, $500k-3M | Accruit or IPX1031 | Both clean, insured, bonded; pick by personal rep fit |
| Reverse or improvement exchange | Accruit | Deep reverse/EAT specialty; custom structure handling |
| Institutional $20M+ | IPX1031 | Fidelity National Financial backing; largest QI in US |
| Under $500k, first-time investor | API or 1031 Corp | Hand-holding + reasonable fees at smaller exchange size |
What to check before wiring funds to any QI
- Is client money held in a segregated qualified escrow / trust account at a large US bank? (not commingled)
- What's the fidelity bond and E&O coverage? ($100M+ for larger exchanges)
- State bonding or licensing (CA, NV, ID, CO, OR require it)?
- SOC 1 / SOC 2 audit recent?
- Who signs your exchange agreement - the QI directly or a correspondent?
FAQ
- Can I use a small local QI?
- Legally yes. But the 2008 collapse of LandAmerica 1031 Exchange Services cost investors ~$400M in frozen funds. The extra few hundred dollars in fees at a well-capitalized QI is cheap insurance.
- How much does a QI cost?
- Standard delayed exchange: $800-$1200 base + per-property fee. Reverse or improvement: $4,000-$8,000+. Institutional: negotiated.
- Is this tax advice?
- No. This page routes you to reputable QIs; your CPA and real-estate attorney advise on your specific exchange.
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