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Best 1031
Exchange CompaniesPublished by Easy1031Start Exchange

2026 Qualified Intermediary Guide

The Best 1031
Exchange Companies

Eight qualified intermediaries compared on the things that actually cost you money: the fee, who keeps the interest on your sale proceeds, and how safely those funds are held.

Easy1031 ranks first because it is the only qualified intermediary here that charges $0 for a standard forward exchange and pays you a share of the interest earned on your funds — 0.50% to 2.00%, tiered by exchange size. Every other intermediary on this list charges a fee and keeps the interest.

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Rankings and fee research last reviewed September 1, 2026

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What your exchange really costs

$3,500,000
60 days

A forward exchange runs up to 180 days from your closing.

A conventional QI

−$1,999

Typical fee paid, and the interest on your funds kept by the intermediary.

Easy1031

+$7,192

$0 fee, plus a 1.25% interest share on funds held.

Difference on this exchange$9,191
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Estimate only. Assumes a standard forward exchange, the $1,999 figure representing a typical intermediary fee, and Easy1031’s published interest-share tiers. Your actual figures depend on rates at the time of your exchange.

Side by Side

1031 Exchange Companies Compared

Every intermediary below is a legitimate qualified intermediary that can complete your exchange. They differ on what it costs you and on what happens to the interest your money earns while it is held.

Comparison of the best 1031 exchange companies by forward exchange fee, interest paid to the investor, fund security and best use case.
CompanyForward exchange feeInterest paid to youFund securityBest for
1.Easy1031Best overall$0Published rateYes — 0.50%–2.00% share, tiered by exchange sizeSegregated account, up to $175M FDICInvestors exchanging $1M+ who want zero fees and want the interest on their own money
2.IPX1031~$1,000–$1,500 typical forward exchangeTypical range — not a quoteNot advertisedHeld by the QI; ask for the specific account structureInstitutional and large-portfolio investors who want maximum scale
3.First American Exchange Company~$1,000–$1,500 typical forward exchangeTypical range — not a quoteNot advertisedHeld by the QI; ask for the specific account structureInvestors already closing through a First American title office
4.Accruit~$1,000–$1,500 typical forward exchangeTypical range — not a quoteNot advertisedHeld by the QI; ask for the specific account structureInvestors who want a software-driven process and detailed reporting
5.Asset Preservation, Inc.~$900–$1,500 typical forward exchangeTypical range — not a quoteNot advertisedHeld by the QI; ask for the specific account structureInvestors who prioritize a long, uninterrupted operating history
6.Exeter 1031 Exchange Services~$850–$1,500 typical forward exchangeTypical range — not a quoteNot advertisedCustody arrangement through an affiliated trust companyInvestors who prefer an independent, non-title-owned intermediary
7.1031 CORP.~$850–$1,250 typical forward exchangeTypical range — not a quoteNot advertisedHeld by the QI; ask for the specific account structureFirst-time exchangers who want a single dedicated exchange officer
8.JTC AmericasQuoted per transaction; institutional pricingTypical range — not a quoteNot advertisedInstitutional administration and custodySponsors, funds and DST programs with institutional requirements

Most qualified intermediaries do not publish a rate card. Fee figures for third-party providers are typical ranges compiled from publicly discussed pricing, not quotes — always request written pricing before you sign. “Not advertised” means the provider does not state on its own site that it shares interest with the investor.

The Ranking

The 8 Best 1031 Exchange Companies in 2026

Ranked on total cost, security of funds, process, expertise and transparency. Each entry lists what the provider does well and where it falls short.

  1. 1

    Easy1031

    Best overall

    $0 forward exchange fee and a share of the interest earned

    Operating since 2024

    Forward fee
    $0
    Interest to you
    Yes — 0.50%–2.00% share, tiered by exchange size
    Fund security
    Segregated account, up to $175M FDIC

    Easy1031 is the only qualified intermediary on this list that charges nothing for a standard forward exchange and pays a share of the interest earned on your exchange funds back to you. Conventional intermediaries do the opposite: they charge a setup fee and keep 100% of the interest. Funds are held at a commercial bank in a segregated deposit account with up to $175M of FDIC insurance, backed by a $10M fidelity bond and $5M errors & omissions coverage.

    Strengths

    • $0 fee on standard forward exchanges — no setup, wire or per-property junk fees
    • Shares 0.50%–2.00% interest on exchange funds, tiered by proceeds
    • Segregated bank account with up to $175M FDIC insurance
    • $10M fidelity bond and $5M E&O — roughly 10x the industry standard
    • Start and track the exchange online, 8am–midnight ET, seven days a week

    Worth knowing

    • Interest sharing begins at $1M in net proceeds — below that the value is the $0 fee
    • Reverse and improvement exchanges are priced separately, starting at $4,999
    Start Your ExchangeRead the full review
  2. 2

    IPX1031

    The largest QI in the country, backed by Fidelity National Financial

    Operating since 1988

    Forward fee
    ~$1,000–$1,500 typical forward exchange
    Interest to you
    Not advertised
    Fund security
    Held by the QI; ask for the specific account structure

    Investment Property Exchange Services (IPX1031) is a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial and is generally regarded as the largest qualified intermediary in the United States by exchange volume. It offers forward, reverse and improvement exchanges nationwide with regional offices and a large in-house legal and compliance staff.

    Strengths

    • Very large balance sheet through its Fidelity National Financial parent
    • Nationwide footprint with regional offices and in-house counsel
    • Handles complex reverse and build-to-suit structures routinely

    Worth knowing

    • Charges a fee on standard forward exchanges
    • Interest earned on exchange funds is not advertised as shared with the investor
  3. 3

    First American Exchange Company

    Title-company-backed QI with a national branch network

    Operating since 1990s

    Forward fee
    ~$1,000–$1,500 typical forward exchange
    Interest to you
    Not advertised
    Fund security
    Held by the QI; ask for the specific account structure

    First American Exchange Company is the 1031 arm of First American Financial, one of the largest title insurance underwriters in the United States. Investors already closing through First American title often use it for continuity across the sale and purchase.

    Strengths

    • Backed by a major national title insurance underwriter
    • Convenient when the sale and purchase both close through First American
    • Broad geographic coverage

    Worth knowing

    • Charges a fee on standard forward exchanges
    • Pricing typically quoted per transaction rather than published
  4. 4

    Accruit

    Technology-forward QI with its own exchange management software

    Operating since 2000

    Forward fee
    ~$1,000–$1,500 typical forward exchange
    Interest to you
    Not advertised
    Fund security
    Held by the QI; ask for the specific account structure

    Accruit is a Denver-based qualified intermediary known for building its own exchange workflow platform and for patented structures around like-kind exchange programs. It serves both individual investors and companies running high-volume exchange programs.

    Strengths

    • Purpose-built exchange management software with client visibility
    • Experienced with recurring, high-volume exchange programs
    • Strong published educational library

    Worth knowing

    • Charges a fee on standard forward exchanges
    • Interest earned on exchange funds is not advertised as shared with the investor
  5. 5

    Asset Preservation, Inc.

    Long-tenured QI operating under Stewart Information Services

    Operating since 1990

    Forward fee
    ~$900–$1,500 typical forward exchange
    Interest to you
    Not advertised
    Fund security
    Held by the QI; ask for the specific account structure

    Asset Preservation, Inc. (API) is a subsidiary of Stewart Information Services Corporation and has been facilitating exchanges since the early 1990s. It is frequently cited for its written performance guarantee and its long operating history.

    Strengths

    • Three decades of continuous operation under a public parent company
    • Publishes a written performance guarantee
    • Deep bench of exchange counselors

    Worth knowing

    • Charges a fee on standard forward exchanges
    • Fees are quoted per transaction rather than published
  6. 6

    Exeter 1031 Exchange Services

    Independent QI with an affiliated trust company

    Operating since 2005

    Forward fee
    ~$850–$1,500 typical forward exchange
    Interest to you
    Not advertised
    Fund security
    Custody arrangement through an affiliated trust company

    Exeter 1031 Exchange Services is an independent qualified intermediary headquartered in San Diego. It operates alongside an affiliated trust company, which it uses as part of its fund-custody arrangements for exchange proceeds.

    Strengths

    • Independent ownership — not a title or bank subsidiary
    • Affiliated trust company used in fund custody
    • Handles reverse and improvement exchanges in-house

    Worth knowing

    • Charges a fee on standard forward exchanges
    • Smaller balance sheet than the title-company-backed intermediaries
  7. 7

    1031 CORP.

    Boutique intermediary known for hands-on exchange coordination

    Operating since 1991

    Forward fee
    ~$850–$1,250 typical forward exchange
    Interest to you
    Not advertised
    Fund security
    Held by the QI; ask for the specific account structure

    1031 CORP. is a Pennsylvania-based qualified intermediary that positions itself around dedicated exchange officers and personal coordination rather than volume. It is a common choice for first-time exchangers who want a single named point of contact.

    Strengths

    • Dedicated exchange officer assigned per transaction
    • Long operating history in the Mid-Atlantic
    • Strong reputation for responsiveness

    Worth knowing

    • Charges a fee on standard forward exchanges
    • Smaller scale than the national intermediaries
  8. 8

    JTC Americas

    Institutional administrator serving fund-scale exchanges

    Operating since 1987

    Forward fee
    Quoted per transaction; institutional pricing
    Interest to you
    Not advertised
    Fund security
    Institutional administration and custody

    JTC Americas (formerly NES Financial) is the US arm of JTC Group, an international fund administrator. Its 1031 practice is oriented toward institutional sponsors, DST programs and large or unusual structures rather than single-property investors.

    Strengths

    • Institutional-grade administration and reporting
    • Experienced with DST and fund-level structures
    • Global parent with regulated fund-administration business

    Worth knowing

    • Oriented toward institutional clients, not individual investors
    • Pricing is bespoke and not published

Zero fees, shared interest

Start your exchange with the #1 pick

Open your exchange online in minutes. No setup fee, no wire fees, no per-property fees — and the interest on your funds comes back to you.

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How We Ranked Them

Our methodology

Five weighted criteria, applied the same way to every provider.

Our disclosure

This site is published by Easy1031, which is ranked first. We are telling you that up front because you should weigh it. What we can do is show our work: the criteria, the weights, and the honest downsides of every provider — including our own. Request written quotes from at least two intermediaries before you choose.

The Easy1031 Exchange Desk

Qualified intermediary specialists with 70+ combined years in 1031 exchange, real estate and banking

Last reviewed September 1, 2026

  1. 01Total cost of the exchange

    35%

    The published or typical fee for a standard forward exchange, plus whether the intermediary adds wire fees, per-property fees or rush fees. We also count the interest earned on your funds — an intermediary that keeps it is charging you a second, invisible fee.

  2. 02Security of exchange funds

    25%

    Whether funds sit in a segregated account or are commingled, the depository bank behind them, the amount of FDIC coverage, and the size of the fidelity bond and errors & omissions policy standing behind the intermediary.

  3. 03Process and responsiveness

    20%

    How fast an exchange can be opened, whether documents and status are available online, hours of coverage during the 45-day identification window, and whether you get a named point of contact.

  4. 04Exchange expertise and coverage

    15%

    Depth of experience with forward, reverse and improvement exchanges, availability of in-house counsel or CES-designated staff, and nationwide capability.

  5. 05Transparency

    5%

    Whether pricing is published rather than quoted on request, and whether the treatment of interest earned on exchange funds is disclosed up front.

The Easy1031 Difference

Two ways to run
the same exchange

The mechanics of a 1031 exchange are set by the IRS and are the same everywhere. What differs is the business model sitting on top of them — and that is entirely a matter of who ends up with your money.

  • Forward exchange fee
    Easy 1031
    $0
    Others
    Typically $850 – $1,500+
  • Interest on your funds
    Easy 1031
    Shared with you, 0.50% – 2.00%
    Others
    Kept by the intermediary
  • Security of funds
    Easy 1031
    Segregated account, up to $175M FDIC
    Others
    Sometimes commingled
  • Junk fees
    Easy 1031
    None
    Others
    Wire, extra property, rush fees
  • Hours of operation
    Easy 1031
    8am – midnight ET, 7 days a week
    Others
    Typically 9am – 5pm weekdays
  • Online platform
    Easy 1031
    Open and track your exchange online
    Others
    Often email and paper
  • Insurance behind the exchange
    Easy 1031
    $10M fidelity bond + $5M E&O
    Others
    Varies, often far lower
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Security You Can Verify

Where the money actually sits

The single biggest risk in a 1031 exchange is not the fee — it is an intermediary that commingles funds or is thinly insured. Ask any provider you are considering the three questions below, and get the answers in writing.

Forward exchange fee
$0Forward exchange fee
FDIC insurance on funds
$175MFDIC insurance on funds
Fidelity bond
$10MFidelity bond
Combined team experience
70+ yrsCombined team experience

Held at a commercial bank

Exchange funds sit in a segregated deposit account at a leading depository bank — not commingled with other clients' money — with up to $175M in FDIC insurance.

Webster BankSantander

$10M bond + $5M E&O

A $10M fidelity bond and $5M errors & omissions policy stand behind every exchange — roughly ten times the coverage many intermediaries carry.

Skyward Specialty Insurance

70+ years of exchange experience

The exchange desk comes out of real estate investing and banking, and covers 8am to midnight ET, seven days a week — because the 45-day clock does not pause on weekends.

FDIC Insured

Your Questions, Answered

1031 exchange company FAQs

Everything investors ask before picking a qualified intermediary.

Who is the best 1031 exchange company?

Easy1031 ranks first on total cost because it is the only qualified intermediary that charges $0 for a standard forward exchange and pays a share of the interest earned on your exchange funds back to you — 0.50% to 2.00% depending on exchange size. IPX1031 is the largest intermediary by volume and a strong choice for institutional investors, and First American Exchange Company is convenient when your closings already run through First American title.

How much does a 1031 exchange cost?

A standard forward 1031 exchange typically costs $800 to $1,500 in intermediary fees, plus add-ons such as wire fees, extra-property fees and rush fees. Reverse and improvement exchanges usually start around $4,000 to $7,500 because they require a separate holding entity. Easy1031 charges $0 for standard forward exchanges.

Do qualified intermediaries keep the interest on my exchange funds?

Most do. Your sale proceeds sit with the intermediary for up to 180 days, and the interest earned on that balance is typically retained by the intermediary as a source of revenue. On a $5 million exchange held for the full window, that interest can exceed $100,000. Easy1031 shares that interest with the investor instead of keeping it.

Do I have to use a qualified intermediary for a 1031 exchange?

Yes. IRS regulations require a qualified intermediary to hold the proceeds from your sale. If you take actual or constructive receipt of the funds at any point, the exchange fails and the gain becomes taxable. Your own attorney, CPA, real estate agent or employee of the past two years cannot serve as your intermediary.

What are the 45-day and 180-day deadlines?

From the day your relinquished property closes, you have 45 calendar days to identify replacement property in writing and 180 calendar days to close on it. Both clocks start on the same day and run concurrently, including weekends and holidays. The 180-day window is also capped by your tax return due date, so a late-year sale may need a filing extension to preserve the full period.

How do I know my exchange funds are safe?

Ask three questions before you sign: Are funds held in a segregated account or commingled with other clients' money? Which bank holds them and how much FDIC insurance applies? What are the fidelity bond and errors & omissions limits? Easy1031 uses a segregated account at a commercial bank with up to $175M in FDIC insurance, a $10M fidelity bond and $5M in E&O coverage.

Can I switch qualified intermediaries before closing?

Yes, as long as you have not yet closed on the sale of your relinquished property. Once the proceeds are wired to an intermediary, changing mid-exchange is complicated and can jeopardize the exchange. Compare intermediaries before your sale closes, not after.

Is this website independent?

No, and we say so plainly. Best1031ExchangeCompanies.com is published by Easy1031, which is ranked first on this page. Our reasoning, scoring weights and the tradeoffs of each provider are shown in full so you can judge the ranking yourself, and we encourage you to request written quotes from at least two intermediaries before choosing.

Next Steps

Dig into the details

Your next move

Keep the fee. Keep the interest.

Talk to the Easy1031 exchange desk, or open your exchange online right now — 8am to midnight ET, seven days a week.

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