Delaware Statutory Trust Versus Tenant in Common: Which is Better?

If you are like most investors looking to defer the payment of taxes associated with the sale of real estate, then finding the best 1031 exchange strategy will be your utmost concern.  But as any 1031 practitioner knows, the exchange into another real replacement property doesn’t’ often go well.  When this happens or if the investor is tired of actively managing real property, the 1031 investor turns to an alternative solution.  What choices remain?  There are only 2, a DST or a TIC.  This post looks at the two options but before we go too far, let’s make it clear that we favor the DST.  We like to joke that a DST is a TIC version 2.0.  Why? Because had TICs been successful the DST would not exist.  The DST was created in an attempt to solve the problems associated with TICs.

What is a DST?

The DST which stands for Delaware Statutory Trust is an IRS-backed legal entity where up to 499 investors can pool their resources to purchase a beneficiary ownership interest in the assets of a trust. While there are several legal differences, a DST is similar in function to a limited partnership. The most notable characteristics of DSTs are that they are eligible for use in a 1031 exchange.

What is a TIC?

While Tenant in Common is similar to Joint tenancy, a TIC is a co-ownership agreement that allows multiple investors up to 35 individuals to pool their resources together to own a single joint property. Each investor owns an undivided (must not be equal) share in the property and benefits from the resultant proportionate share of the tax shelters, income, and growth.

Unlike a DST structure, investors in a TIC receive a separate property deed for their percentage of interest in the property and may have equal voting rights as the single owner. One of the key differences between a DST and TIC is that while investors in a DST are unable to transfer their beneficial ownership interest, co-owners in a TIC can do so without seeking the approval of other owners in the trust.

Similarities between DST and TIC Structure

• They are both managed by a professional management company hired by the sponsor
• Both DSTs and TICs can be used as a like-kind property in a 1031 exchange
• They are excellent diversification strategy since they allow for minimum investments

DST vs. TIC: Which One is better?

Below are some of the reasons why sophisticated investors prefer the Delaware Statutory Trust investment strategy over Tenants in Common.

• Easy Decision-Making Process

In a TIC structure, decisions regarding the sale of the property, or refinancing of the property must be unanimously agreed by all the parties involved in the TIC. One can already see this is a disaster in the making.  There have been instances where more than 90% percent of the investors are voting for the sale of the property and yet the minority are against it putting the entire sale process in jeopardy. That’s one of the reasons why so many TICs failed in the 2008-2009 period.

However, in a DST structure, the entire decision-making process is in the hands of the DST Sponsor. Only the Sponsor is charged with the responsibility of making decisions regarding the sale, maintenance, and all other vital aspects of the DST.

• Lower Minimum Investment when compared to a TIC

The DST structure allows for up to 499 investors which reduces its minimum investment amount when compared to TICs, which only allows for 35 investors. The typical DST minimum investment amount of $100,000 makes it possible for investors to diversify their investment across multiple DSTs at a single time.

For instance, if the potential property is a $50,000,000 multifamily with a loan to value ratio of 40%, the equity to be raised will be $30,000, and with only 35 investors allowed in a TIC, the minimum investment amount would be $857,142 compared to $60,120 in a DST.

The freedom associated with DSTs in terms of its lower minimum investment amount makes it a great investment vehicle for small scale real estate investors.

• Quick Closing

One of the downsides to investing in a TIC is its slow closing process which usually takes anytime between 45-60 days. This delay is due to the need for investors of a TIC to be approved and underwritten by a Lender.

When compared to a DST where the closing process is usually finalized within 3-5 days, a TIC may not be a great option for investors faced with a 45 days identification timeline in a 1031 exchange. More importantly, investors in a DST do not need to be underwritten by a Lender since the sponsor is solely responsible for the financing and mortgage acquisition activities.  As a result, the debt on DSTs is all non-recourse. The DST sponsor will go out and raise the debt and the rates that these institutions are getting are usually better than what the individual can get on their own.

Lastly, you do not have to be an accredited investor to invest in a TIC, but you must be an accredited investor to invest in a DST.

Again, we like to think of DSTs as TIC 2.0.

If you’d like to learn more about DSTs and 1031 Exchanges, or how we waive all commissions in DSTs,

schedule your free 30 minute call today.