Uncontested Investing

The 1031 Exchange Playbook: How Investors Scale Faster While Deferring Taxes

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we stay on our tax and legal strategies theme and break down one of the most powerful tools in real estate investing: the 1031 exchange. We walk through what a 1031 actually is, how it lets you defer capital gains taxes when you swap one investment property for another, and why it's such a big lever for portfolio growth, net worth, and long-term scaling.     We talk about the 45-day identification and 180-day closing rules, the role of a qualified intermediary, and how to move from a duplex into a four-family, commercial building, or even build-to-rent projects without triggering immediate tax. We also dig into estate planning, step-up in basis for your heirs, and advanced strategies like reverse exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), and combining multiple exchanges to diversify.   Of course, we cover the other side too—strict timelines, zoning and legal pitfalls, choosing the wrong intermediary, and why you never want to "test" the IRS on this stuff.    If you've ever wondered how investors use 1031s to climb the ladder from small rentals to bigger assets while deferring taxes along the way, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap to get started.    Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 00:41 What is the 1031 Exchange? 01:31 How does a 1031 Exchange work? 02:16 Using a Qualified Intermediary to facilitate the exchange 03:05 Benefits of a 1031: Tax deferral and portfolio growth 04:05 The impact of a 1031 Exchange on your purchasing power 05:02 Eligible properties: What qualifies and what doesn't 06:40 The core rules of a 1031 Exchange 07:38 Following the timelines and deadlines of a 1031 Exchange 09:14 Top strategies to maximize 1031 Exchange benefits 10:39 Planning your 1031 Exchanges with estate and succession in mind 11:25 The risks and pitfalls of a 1031 Exchange 14:48 How to get started with a 1031 Exchange 15:55 Why documentation and audit readiness is important for a 1031 Exchange   Quotables   "The one person you never really want to challenge is the IRS."    "This investment strategy is one that there's no gray area. It's very cut and dry."    "You can expedite your success in real estate investing, but you have to go about it the right way."   LInks   RCN Capital https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/ info@rcncapital.com   REI INK https://rei-ink.com/

How Opportunity Zones Could Be Your Next Opportunity with Tax Benefits

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we break down one of the most misunderstood tools in real estate tax strategy: Opportunity Zones. We unpack what a Qualified Opportunity Zone actually is, how the program was created under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and why it matters for investors looking to defer capital gains, reduce tax liability, and potentially eliminate gains entirely on long-term projects.   We walk through a real-world example from the Brunswick Naval Air Station in Maine, talk about converting old mills and strip malls into housing, and outline the three big tax incentives: deferral, step-up in basis, and full exclusion after a 10-year hold. Then we flip to the other side of the coin—market risk in distressed areas, zoning and code upgrades, long-term commitment, and why due diligence and local planning insight are non-negotiable.   If you've been hearing about Opportunity Zones but aren't sure how they work or whether they fit your strategy, this episode will give you a clear framework for spotting good OZ deals, avoiding landmines, and partnering with the right fund managers and tax pros.     Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:25 What are opportunity zones and how were they created? 02:24 Not all opportunity zones are created equal 03:20 Key tax benefits: deferral, reduction, and elimination 04:25 Impact investing: breathing life into distressed communities 05:02 Tax terms explained: Deferral of capital gains, step-up in basis, and more 06:36 Housing shortage, mills, and adaptive reuse 07:32 Qualified Opportunity Funds & 180-day rule 09:24 Residential developments in opportunity zones 10:28 Commercial and mixed-use opportunities 11:27 Redevelopment & infrastructure improvement 12:16 Build-to-rent on raw land in opportunity zones 13:01 The market risks in a distressed area 14:11 Planning board meetings and understanding regulatory and compliance risk 15:39 Long-term commitment and exit strategy 16:05 Do opportunity zones fit your investment goals? 17:01 Partnering with experienced Opportunity Fund managers 18:05 The importance of understanding property taxes when investing in opportunity zones 19:16 Opportunity zones in broader economic development 20:33 Scaling from residential to commercial Quotables   "Not all opportunity zones are created equal, not all are going to be tailor made like the one that you found, but they still are a great investment opportunity."   "What doesn't look like a pretty picture on the onset can actually going to be one of the most fruitful investments that an investor can make."   "Do they align with your investment goals. Don't just do it because it's trendy or because you heard about it on a podcast."   Links   RCN Capital https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/ info@rcncapital.com   REI INK https://rei-ink.com/

The Hidden Profit Lever That Boosts Cash Flow and NOI Through Property Tax Appeals with Alison Tulio

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we dive deep into one of the most powerful (and ignored) ways to increase cash flow and boost NOI: property tax appeals. I'm joined by Alison Tulio, President of Incenter Tax Solutions and a seasoned real estate attorney who specializes in helping investors reduce over-assessed property taxes on both residential and commercial real estate. Whether you own single-family rentals, multifamily, office, industrial, or manage multi-state real estate portfolios, this episode will show you how your property tax bill is quietly eating into your returns and what you can do to fix it. Alison explains why assessments are climbing nationwide, how COVID reshaped office and industrial values, and why distressed commercial properties are some of the best candidates for aggressive tax appeals right now. We break down practical, zero-risk steps you can take to: Get your property taxes reviewed annually Spot when you're over-assessed and leaving money on the table Avoid common mistakes investors make when they appeal property taxes on their own Protect yourself from triggering a tax increase by misunderstanding local rules Alison also shares a real-world case study where a skeptical client saw a 63% reduction on a single property and saved $180,000 in property taxes without taking on additional risk. If you care about net operating income (NOI), commercial property values, and keeping more cash in every deal, this conversation is a masterclass on how to lower your property taxes, increase cash flow, and improve returns on your real estate investments. Tune in, take notes, and start treating property tax strategy like the profit lever it really is. Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 00:52 Who is Alison Tulio? 01:24 Reinventing in down cycles (2008 & COVID) 02:01 Who Incenter Tax Solutions serves 03:15 The Incenter Tax Solutions mission: Education first 04:25 Helping investors understand and leverage property taxes 05:20 Nationwide coverage & portfolio streamlining 06:30 Alison's time as outside counsel to lenders & servicers 07:38 Deal Maker/Deal Breaker: The turning point in Alison's career 09:06 Why you should have your property taxes reviewed 10:07 How to get started with Incenter Tax Solutions 11:20 Why tax strategy education is important for real estate investors 12:07 Most common mistakes investors make regarding property taxes 13:57 What's the Word? Work hard, play hard 15:24 Opportunity zones and planning for abatements 16:48 Tools & proprietary software for property tax assessment 17:45 Case Study: From skeptic to $180K in savings 18:50 How Incenter Tax Solutions educates investors 19:46 Market strategy and COVID-hit cities 20:24 Alison's life outside of real estate: Family, salt life, working out 21:12 How to get in touch with Alison   Quotables   "We're saving, I mean, we're slashing those property taxes in half and commercials are big ticket items."   "You should 100% have someone look at your property taxes every year."   "Trust the process. You'll see that it's really not too good to be true, and it actually works."   Links   Incenter Tax Solutions https://incentertaxsolutions.com   Alison Tulio https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-tulio-esq-70229519a   RCN Capital https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/ info@rcncapital.com   REI INK https://rei-ink.com/

Protecting Your Portfolio: Expert Strategies for Risk, Claims, and Coverage with Alex Glickman

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we sit down with Alex Glickman, the Global Real Estate & Hospitality Practice Leader at Gallagher and one of the most trusted experts in real estate insurance and risk management. With more than 40 years in the industry, Alex has navigated every market cycle, natural disaster, and underwriting shift, giving her unmatched insight into how investors can protect their portfolios in today's environment.   We dive deep into how climate events, rising insurance premiums, and increased claim activity are transforming the way lenders and carriers evaluate real estate deals. Alex explains the key insurance policies every real estate investor must understand, how risk is priced, and the major blind spots investors often overlook like pollution liability, tenant-related losses, builder's risk coverage, and professional liability.   If you want to learn how insurance truly impacts your deal analysis, cash flow, lender requirements, and long-term portfolio strategy, this episode delivers a masterclass in real estate risk mitigation and asset protection from one of the brightest minds in the industry.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:15 How Alex accidentally entered insurance after not getting into Harvard Law 02:01 Building a career in a "stodgy" industry and redefining real estate risk 03:00 What drives Gallagher's innovative insurance products 03:52 How storms, wildfires, and extreme weather affect investor insurance strategies 05:37 Why floods are now being reported on every real estate deal 06:38 How insurance actually protects people during their worst moments 07:31 Lender requirements vs. investor needs—why these often clash 08:04 Why real estate insurance is not one-size-fits-all 09:18 Leading a global practice and the importance of learning international norms 11:53 Taking a stand: the career-defining moment that changed Alex's life 13:52 The must-have insurance policies every real estate investor should understand 15:05 Pollution liability: the most overlooked risk in multifamily & SFR 16:25 Insurance needs for fix-and-flips, new construction, and ground-up projects 17:06 Landlord policies vs. tenant policies—who covers what? 18:20 Can landlords create revenue streams from tenant insurance?  19:45 Liability risks investors must understand (injuries, explosions, pet issues, more) 22:26 One-word motto for investors: "One more step." 23:12 How AI and tech are transforming real estate insurance 24:40 Predictive modeling, storm path forecasting, and real-time risk analytics 25:18 Why cheap insurance can destroy your investment 26:55 What's next for Gallagher and Alex's mission to reshape the industry   Quotables   "Insurance is not monolithic. Real estate is not monolithic. You need someone who understands your asset type."   "One more step. If you take one more step than everybody else every day, you will be successful."   "I don't fear bullies. That moment changed my life—and I've never looked back."   Links   RCN Capital https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/ info@rcncapital.com   REI INK https://rei-ink.com/

The $1 Billion Real Estate Scam Being Solved by Property Shield with Alex Fahsel

In this episode of Uncontested Investing, we sit down with Alex Fahsel, the co-founder of Property Shield, a groundbreaking company that's changing how investors protect their assets from fraud and scams.   At just 23 years old, Alex built Property Shield while finishing college at the University of Georgia—and today, it operates in over 35 states, helping investors prevent rental fraud, wire fraud, and title scams that have cost renters and landlords more than a billion dollars.   We unpack how AI and machine learning are being used to fight fraudulent listings, what every investor needs to know about protecting their portfolios, and how small investors can stay one step ahead of increasingly sophisticated scammers.   If you invest in single-family rentals, multifamily properties, or land, this episode is your crash course in risk management, due diligence, and fraud prevention straight from one of the brightest young innovators in the industry.   Key Talking Points of the Episode   00:00 Introduction 01:15 How an internship at Progress Residential inspired Alex's idea 02:25 Turning a college project into a real business 03:40 The birth of Property Shield and early lessons learned 04:48 How AI detects fraudulent listings and impersonations online 07:28 The shocking scale of real estate fraud across major cities 09:04 The devastating impact of fraud on mom-and-pop investors and tenants 11:07 Property Shield's nationwide growth and expansion goals 13:08 Why small property managers and investors are hardest to reach 15:28 The first deal that changed everything—finding trust and opportunity 17:45 Breaking down other common types of real estate fraud 20:30 Wire fraud and phishing—why the biggest scams happen before closing 23:06 Using AI and automation to detect scams faster than ever 24:23 Deepfakes, AI-generated voices, and the next wave of fraud risks 26:10 How persistence can help you achieve success  27:23 Why investors should always use title companies and attorneys 28:07 How Property Shield is developing new partnerships to fight title fraud 29:50 The goal: catching fraudulent listings before they ever go live 31:38 Future of Property Shield: predictive analytics and risk scoring   Quotables   "We're seeing that between 20 and 25% of all online real estate listings have at least one fraudulent duplicate."   "Fraudsters are using AI, so we have to use AI. It's the only way to keep up."   "Persistence. That's the one word I'd use to sum up this journey. You just keep chugging along."   Links   Property Shield https://propertyshield.co/   RCN Capital https://www.rcncapital.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/rcn_capital/ info@rcncapital.com   REI INK https://rei-ink.com/