What is a Delaware Statutory Trust—DST?
Hi I’m Erik Wolfers. I’m the managing member of First & Main Financial. We’re in Oakland in Piedmont California. Today I’m going to talk about Delaware Statutory Trusts, or DSTs.
DSTs are an improved vehicle for doing a 1031 exchange. If you have a highly appreciated piece of property, you can sell it and take the proceeds and roll it into a Delaware Statutory Trust.
DSTs generally contain more real estate; real estate that’s already working, already producing income—properties that are already sometimes fully occupied if it’s a multi-family property, or sometimes a retirement home is another kind of property that Delaware Statutory Trusts might hold.
You take the proceeds from the sale of your property and roll them into a Delaware Statutory Trust and then you get passive income. There’s no longer involvement on your part.
It is real estate, so things can happen to the real estate. But there is a long track record of these kinds of vehicles that can be reviewed. The income generally is in the 5% to almost 7% range.
We are a fee only financial advisor, so instead of taking a commission, the commission that would go to a broker of a Delaware Statutory Trust stays in the deal for the client so they get a bump in their equity, 6% more or 7% more ownership in the Delaware Statutory Trust, and the yield also goes up for their investment.
These generally last 6 years or 7 years is the target, and then can be rolled into another Delaware Statutory Trust, or proceeds can be reclaimed and taxes paid at that time. Or some people have the idea of rolling over into new trusts until their heirs can inherit the property or the ownership in the Delaware Statutory Trust and then the taxes never get paid.
If you are looking for some financial guidance; whether for a one time financial plan or continuing advice on your investments, we invite you to meet with a First & Main Financial planner for a free consultation. We would be more than happy to sit down with you, assess your situation and review our services to help navigate your financial future.
