Why Tax‑Deferred Property Programs Are Surging — and What It Means for Today’s Real Estate Professionals
Investment managers across the U.S. are rapidly rolling out new tax‑deferred real estate investment programs as demand skyrockets. With stronger market certainty, favorable conditions, and one of the largest generational wealth transfers in history underway, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) are becoming a major force in modern estate planning.
In recent weeks, major development and investment groups such as Denholtz, Forum Investment Group, and PREP Property Group have launched new DST offerings. These programs allow property sellers to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting through 1031 exchanges—an increasingly appealing strategy for owners seeking passive income and long‑term estate benefits.
Even real estate powerhouse Blackstone has entered the DST arena, joining Brookfield, Starwood, Nuveen, Hines, and Ares Management. As DSTs move into the mainstream, both new and seasoned professionals are paying close attention.
“The DST market is projected to have an increase of about 30% year‑over‑year,” said Jennifer McCool, Executive Vice President and Head of Capital Markets at Denholtz.
The Mechanics Behind the Demand
DSTs allow investors to shift from active property management to passive income while maintaining tax‑deferred real estate exposure via fractional interests in institutional‑grade assets. Through 1031 exchanges, sellers can reinvest proceeds into like‑kind commercial properties, avoiding taxes that would otherwise be due immediately.
According to Mountain Dell Consulting, DST‑related sales hit $7.34 billion through November, with projections of $7.5 billion in 2025—up 33% from the prior year.
The Wealth‑Transfer Wave
With more than $100 trillion expected to change hands over the next two decades, estate planning strategies like DSTs are seeing structural demand growth. The recent federal “Big Beautiful Bill” preserved 100% capital gains deferral through like‑kind exchanges, removing the uncertainty that had previously slowed some investors’ planning.
As Forum Investment CEO Darren Fisk explained, many property owners hold highly appreciated assets and are seeking reduced operational intensity without sacrificing upside potential.
Risks Still Matter
DSTs aren’t without drawbacks. Investors must accept long capital lock‑ups, illiquid assets, and reliance on sponsor performance. These risks are familiar territory for many approaching retirement, reinforcing the need for proper education and due diligence—areas where real estate professionals can add tremendous value.
Market Conditions Fueling Rapid Growth
A tight supply of quality replacement properties and rising tax concerns are amplifying interest in DSTs. Denholtz recently launched its first DST—DX SB Industrial I DST—featuring a nine‑building industrial campus in Tampa, Florida. The offering sold out in just six weeks, demonstrating powerful investor demand.
Sponsors are increasingly focusing on defensive assets such as industrial, multifamily, and essential‑needs retail, backed by long‑term, predictable cash flow. PREP Property Group, known for retail assets like Hillside Village Mall in Texas, plans to launch its inaugural DST offering in early 2026.
“Retail real estate is experiencing its strongest fundamentals in decades,” said PREP CEO Michael Phillips. “New supply is at historic lows, making this a prime moment for investors to reposition capital.”
Why This Matters for Real Estate Professionals
DSTs and 1031 strategies are more than investment buzzwords—they’re essential knowledge for today’s real estate agents, brokers, and advisors. Clients increasingly seek professionals who understand advanced tax‑advantaged investment structures.
This is where education becomes a differentiator. At Cameron Academy, real estate professionals across Florida and beyond are strengthening their expertise in topics like 1031 exchanges, investment analysis, and portfolio‑driven real estate strategy—making them more competitive in a rapidly evolving market.
Source
This article was inspired by reporting from CoStar News, a leading authority on commercial real estate insights.
More Articles
Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!
Artificial intelligence is speeding ahead, but real estate is discovering a hard truth: AI can’t work well on messy, inconsistent, and siloed data. Unlike finance or e‑commerce, the industry has never agreed on shared definitions or standardized frameworks, making it difficult for AI tools to interpret information at scale. Now, leaders across real estate are realizing that the real breakthrough won’t come from smarter algorithms—it will come from finally unifying the industry’s fragmented data so AI can deliver its full value.
Manhattan’s iconic Waldorf Astoria is hitting the market again—and its billion‑dollar price tag may reveal whether commercial real estate is finally recovering. After years of inflation, shutdowns, and stalled investment, new forecasts from major firms show growing optimism, making this sale a critical test for the 2026 market.
Homeowners across Florida are facing sharp increases in their escrow payments as insurance premiums continue to rise. With insurers leaving the state, rates climbing, and replacement policies costing far more, many residents are experiencing sudden spikes in their monthly mortgage bills. These escalating insurance-driven escrow costs are reshaping affordability, influencing buyer qualifications, and redefining financial stability for Floridians and the broader real estate market.
The modern MLS marketplace is one of real estate’s greatest success stories: transparent, efficient, and designed to help buyers and sellers win. But its very effectiveness has sparked a new risk — professionals looking to “stand out” by limiting exposure and restricting information. Research shows that full MLS visibility can boost a seller’s price by $50,000 to $75,000, yet off‑market tactics threaten to chip away at the system that delivers those gains. The MLS doesn’t need replacing; it needs thoughtful upgrades and well‑trained professionals who know how to protect and leverage its power.
Florida homeowners are being hit with a new kind of sticker shock as rising insurance premiums push escrow payments sharply higher, adding hundreds of dollars to monthly mortgage bills. The surge is reshaping budgets, impacting buyer qualification, and redefining affordability across the state. With insurers pulling back and premiums climbing faster than wages, both current owners and hopeful buyers must now navigate a market where insurance risk—not just home price—plays a major role in the true cost of living in the Sunshine State.
Florida’s mobile and manufactured homes are surging in popularity, but insuring them requires specialized HO-7 coverage designed for structures built off-site and more vulnerable to wind and weather. With rising premiums, unique risks, and new 2026 market shifts, homeowners and industry professionals need to understand what these policies cover, what they don’t, which insurers are leading the pack, and how to save without sacrificing protection.
