In this episode of the Be Wealthy Podcast, Brett Tanner sits down with Michael Velasco, founder of Exchangeable, for a deep dive into the powerful world of 1031 Exchanges and how savvy investors use them to grow wealth while legally minimizing taxes.

Michael shares his 20+ year journey through real estate, accounting, and tax strategy, showing how every step of his career prepared him to become a leading expert in 1031 exchanges. Together, Brett and Michael break down the fundamentals of exchanges, common mistakes investors make, and the advanced strategies high-net-worth individuals use to protect and multiply their portfolios.

This episode blends real-world investing strategy, tax education, mentorship, and long-term wealth thinking—making it essential listening for any serious real estate investor.

1. Taxes don’t destroy wealth—poor strategy does.

With the right tools, investors can defer taxes and keep more capital compounding.

1. Timing is everything in a 1031 exchange.

Miss the 45-day or 180-day deadline and the entire exchange can fail.

1. Reverse exchanges create opportunity in competitive markets.

Buying first gives investors the upper hand when inventory is tight.

1. You must reinvest all proceeds to fully defer taxes.

Any leftover cash becomes taxable “boot.”

1. Any investment property can be exchanged for another.

Residential, commercial, or land can all qualify when structured correctly.

1. Execution matters more than intention.

Even great investment plans fail without proper structure and guidance.

1. Mentorship shortens the learning curve.

Learning from experts helps investors avoid costly mistakes.

1. Education is a wealth multiplier.

The more you understand tax strategy and investing, the faster you grow.

1. Wealth is built through reinvestment, not consumption.

Capital must keep moving into productive assets to grow.

1. Long-term thinking always wins.

The biggest rewards go to those who play the long game, not the quick win.

00:00 – Welcome to the Be Wealthy Podcast & Introduction to 1031 Exchanges

01:15 – Meet Michael Velasco: 20+ Years in Real Estate

03:00 – The REO and Short Sale Market During the Crash

05:30 – Why Michael Left Traditional Real Estate for Tax Strategy

07:15 – Discovering the Power of 1031 Exchanges

09:30 – What a 1031 Exchange Really Is (Simple Breakdown)

12:00 – The 45-Day Identification Rule Explained

14:45 – The Biggest Risk in a Forward Exchange

17:00 – Why High-Level Investors Prefer Reverse Exchanges

20:00 – Buying First, Selling Later: How Reverse Exchanges Work

23:00 –...