Year-end is rapidly approaching and there is a little known deadline that many investors are not aware of when completing a 1031 exchange.  It only applies to investors who sell and close on their relinquished property (sale) transaction between October 17th and December 31st.  The actual 1031 exchange deadline is as follows: 

You must complete your 1031 Exchange transaction, which includes the conveyance of title to all of your like-kind replacement properties that you intend to acquire, no later than the earlier of:

(1) midnight of the 180th calendar day following the close of the relinquished property (sale) transaction, or

(2) the due date of your Federal income tax return for the tax year in which the relinquished property was sold, including any extensions of time to file.

You do not need to be concerned about part (2) above unless the first relinquished property transaction sold and closed on or after October 17th and on or before December 31st of any given tax year, which would mean that the 180th calendar day would fall after April 15.

You can easily work around this requirement by filing an extension of time to file your income tax returns, then completing your 1031 exchange transaction, and then filing your income tax returns.  It is important that you do not file your income tax return prior to completing your 1031 exchange. 

You can learn more about this requirement at: http://www.exeterco.com/1031_exchange_deadlines.aspx