FOR 1031 EXCHANGE INVESTORS

Get your weekends back. Keep your equity working.

Trade active property management for passive ownership in institutional-quality real estate, and defer capital gains through a 1031 exchange into a Delaware Statutory Trust. No tenants. No toilets. No trash.

45

Days to identify

180

Days to close

0

Landlord duties

Modern institutional-quality apartment building at sunset

Institutional-quality real estate. Zero landlord duties.

WHY DST OWNERSHIP

Your equity, working. Your time, back.

Direct property ownership means late-night maintenance calls, vacancy stress, and being your own property manager whether you want the job or not. A DST hands the operational side to an experienced sponsor — you keep the economics of real estate ownership without keeping the job.

Actually passive

No leases to sign, no tenants to chase, no 3 a.m. calls about a broken water heater. Potential distributions are scheduled on a monthly/quarterly basis.

Institutional-quality real estate

Own a fractional indirect interest in the same class of multifamily, industrial, and healthcare assets that pension funds and REITs buy — usually out of reach for individual investors.

Defer the tax bill

Roll capital gains, depreciation recapture, and net investment income tax forward through a 1031 exchange instead of paying the IRS at closing.

See the full case for DSTs →

THE BASICS, PLAIN ENGLISH

What exactly is a Delaware Statutory Trust?

A DST is a separate legal entity that holds title to real estate on behalf of multiple investors. Complete a 1031 exchange into one and you own a fractional, undivided interest in the trust's property — with a professional sponsor handling everything from leasing to capital improvements.

01

Sell your property

Your relinquished property closes and proceeds go to a qualified intermediary — never to you directly.

02

Identify within 45 days

Choose your replacement DST offering(s) within the IRS's 45-day identification window.

03

Close within 180 days

Fund your DST interest and close the exchange before the 180-day deadline.

04

Go passive

Receive potential distributions while a professional sponsor manages the asset.

Read the Full Guide to DSTs

A NOTE FROM JAMES

I only do one thing

I'm James Lyon — most people know me as TheDSTGuy. I don't sell insurance, manage portfolios, or dabble in DSTs on the side. I spend every day evaluating sponsors, comparing offerings, and helping 1031 exchange investors move into real estate that finally gives them their time back.

Registered Representative, Emerson Equity LLC · Member, ADISA

Read My Full Story
James Lyon, Registered Representative at Emerson Equity LLC

Start with the free guide

Everything you need to know about 1031 exchanges and DSTs — deadlines, tax mechanics, and how to evaluate your first offering. No pressure, no sales call required.

Get the Free Guide

COMMON QUESTIONS

Questions investors ask before their first DST

Is a DST right for every 1031 exchange?

No single strategy fits everyone. DSTs tend to make the most sense for investors who are done being hands-on landlords and want professionally managed real estate instead. We'll talk through whether it fits your specific exchange.

How much day-to-day involvement will I have?

Day-to-day? None — that's the point. The sponsor handles leasing, maintenance, and capital decisions within the trust's operating agreement. You own the economics, not the job.

What happens if I miss the 45-day deadline?

The exchange fails and the sale becomes a taxable event. That's why lining up DST options before you're deep into your 45 days matters.

Can I sell my DST interest whenever I want?

No. DST interests are illiquid, typically held for 5–10 years, with no guaranteed exit. That's a trade-off for passivity, not a savings account.