You've built equity in New York. Rent regulations are killing your returns, and a six-figure capital gains bill is waiting the moment you sell. There's a legal, IRS-approved escape route - and a Fort Lauderdale income property ready for your exchange right now.
Two buildings, 5 fully renovated units, designer details throughout. Every unit occupied - proof this property attracts tenants at asking rent. Click any photo to enlarge.
This isn't pessimism - it's arithmetic. Here's what New York landlordship looks like in 2026.
Federal capital gains 20% + NY state 10.9% + NYC city up to 3.88% + depreciation recapture 25% = potentially half your equity wiped out in one sale.
NY's Good Cause Eviction law caps rent increases at CPI or 3% - whichever is lower. Your costs inflate; your revenue doesn't.
Removing a non-paying tenant in NYC can take 18 months or longer - all while you cover the mortgage, taxes, and maintenance on a unit generating $0.
After rent regulation, taxes, and expenses, most NYC multifamily properties now net 3-4% cap rates. You're barely outpacing inflation.
NY state + NYC city income tax tops 13.53% - the highest in the nation. Florida: 0%. That difference alone changes your retirement math.
NYC operating costs have risen 22% since 2020. Insurance alone has doubled for many landlords. Your NOI is shrinking every year you hold.
A 1031 exchange lets you sell your NY property and reinvest the proceeds in FL - deferring 100% of capital gains tax. But the clock starts the moment you close.
Close the sale. Proceeds go to a Qualified Intermediary (QI) - never touch your hands.
Formally identify up to 3 potential replacement properties in writing.
⏰ Hard Deadline: Day 45Inspect, negotiate, and finance your Fort Lauderdale replacement property.
Complete the purchase. Capital gains tax 100% deferred - legally.
⏰ Hard Deadline: Day 180What happens when a NY landlord moves $800K of equity from a Brooklyn 4-unit into a Fort Lauderdale income property via 1031 exchange?
The MLS advertises a 7% cap rate based on gross rents ÷ price. That's not how investors underwrite. Here's the honest NOI-based analysis - including all operating expenses.
Assumes: 3% annual rent growth · 4% annual property appreciation · negotiated purchase at $1,160,000
| Year | Gross Rents | Est. NOI | Property Value | Equity (all-cash) | Cumul. Cash Received |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $105,600 | $68,587 | $1,206,400 | $1,206,400 | $68,587 |
| Year 2 | $108,768 | $70,645 | $1,254,656 | $1,254,656 | $139,232 |
| Year 3 | $112,031 | $72,764 | $1,304,842 | $1,304,842 | $211,996 |
| Year 4 | $115,392 | $74,947 | $1,357,035 | $1,357,035 | $286,943 |
| Year 5 | $118,854 | $77,195 | $1,411,317 | $1,411,317 | $364,138 |
All-cash purchase: total 5-year return = ~$364K income + ~$251K appreciation = ~$615K total return on $1.16M invested (~53% over 5 years) before tax. Projections are estimates only.
This isn't a "value-add" play requiring your capital and headaches. It's a fully renovated, occupied, amenity-rich income property that competes with new construction at a fraction of the cost.
Solar panels - reduces operating costs by ~$200/mo, fully installed
Metal roof - hurricane-rated, no replacement needed for 30+ years
Impact windows & doors - insurance discount + tenant safety
In-unit washer/dryer - brand new machines in every unit; #1 amenity renters pay more for
Tesla Wall Connector - premium EV charging; attracts high-income professional tenants
Spa-quality bathrooms - matte black rain showers, frameless glass, floor-to-ceiling tile in every unit
Designer kitchens - white shaker or espresso cabinets, quartz counters, slat-wood accent walls
Pergola & outdoor living - covered steel pergola with wood ceiling; tenants don't leave
Whole-property water filtration - premium health amenity
RING security cameras - remote monitoring from anywhere
Gated entry - privacy and security tenants value
Mini-split AC per unit - individual climate control, no shared systems to fail
Tell us your equity position and timeline - we'll show you exactly how this property fits your exchange.
Fort Lauderdale sits in the sweet spot: strong rental demand from a growing professional population, lower entry prices than Miami Beach, and infrastructure investment driving real appreciation.
FTL rents have dramatically outpaced the national average, driven by migration from high-tax Northeast states.
Brightline rail, port expansion, and Las Olas corridor redevelopment are driving real economic growth and demand.
Florida continues to gain residents faster than almost any other state - directly fueling rental demand across the metro.
Florida is consistently rated among the top landlord-friendly states. No rent control, no good cause eviction, fast eviction courts.
While NYC multifamily compresses to 3-4%, Fort Lauderdale still delivers genuine investor returns on well-located properties.
JetBlue and Delta fly JFK/LGA→FLL daily. Close enough to manage. Far enough to escape NY regulations entirely.
I had a 6-unit in Queens that was completely upside-down after the new rent laws. My accountant said I'd owe $340,000 in taxes if I just sold. We did a 1031 into Fort Lauderdale and I'm now clearing $6,400 a month in cash flow. Best decision I've made in 20 years of investing.
The 45-day deadline was stressful, but FL Trade Leads had properties ready to show me immediately. We identified and closed on a 4-unit in Fort Lauderdale within the exchange window. No tax bill. Better cash flow. Tenants who actually pay. I couldn't be happier.
Managing property remotely sounds scary until you realize what managing property in New York actually feels like. Florida is just different. Tenants pay, the courts work, and my property manager actually picks up the phone. I wish I'd made this move five years earlier.
Everything you need to execute a flawless 1031 exchange from New York into a Fort Lauderdale income property - in plain English, not legalese.
Complete 1031 mechanics - 45-day/180-day rules, what qualifies, common disqualifiers
NY vs. FL side-by-side - taxes, regulations, cash flow, appreciation - with real numbers
Fort Lauderdale market deep dive - neighborhoods, cap rates, rent trends, what to avoid
How to evaluate a replacement property - the exact framework we use
Common 1031 mistakes - including ones that get investors disqualified at the last minute
Step-by-step closing checklist - from listing in NY to keys in hand in FL
Full pro forma on 1202 NE 3rd Ave - real numbers, not marketing math
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