EP 217: From Landlord to Legacy: How DSTs Unlock Passive Real Estate Wealth with Ben Carmona

Think of a DST like owning a small piece of a big, professionally managed apartment building—you get the income and tax benefits without ever having to answer a tenant’s phone call.This week on Exit Strategies Radio Show, host Corwyn J. Melette is joined by special guest Ben Carmona, Managing Partner with Perch Wealth, to reveal a powerful, little-known strategy that allows real estate investors to defer taxes, eliminate the "three T's" (Tenants, Termites, Traffic), and significantly increase passive income. Ben dives deep into the mechanism of the 1031 Exchange and how the Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) structure provides the perfect, hands-off solution for those looking to exit active management and still grow their wealth. Get ready to take notes—this is legacy-building information! Key Takeaways:(5:10) What is a 1031 Exchange? — Learn how this powerful IRS provision allows you to sell investment property and defer paying taxes when reinvesting in another “like-kind” property.(9:28) Real-Life Example: Discover how one investor turned a $200K mobile home park into $3 million—and how a 1031 Exchange saved him over $1 million in taxes.(12:13) Understanding Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs): Why these trusts relieve investors from property management while keeping their income flowing.(14:16) How DSTs Work: Ben explains how DSTs allow fractional ownership in large institutional properties—making it accessible for mom-and-pop investors.(17:21) Passive Income and Tax Deferral Combined: How retirees can diversify across multiple properties, increase their income, and pass down wealth tax-efficiently.(18:52) The Mission of Perch Wealth: Ben’s journey from syndication to founding a firm focused on helping investors make informed, objective real estate decisions.Connect with Ben:Contact Number: (818) 269-4972Website: www.perchwealth.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencarmona/Connect with Corwyn:Contact Number: 843-619-3005Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/exitstrategiesradioshow/⁠FB Page:⁠ https://www.facebook.com/exitstrategiessc/⁠Youtube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxoSuynJd5c4qQ_eDXLJaZA⁠Website:⁠ https://www.exitstrategiesradioshow.com⁠Linkedin:⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmelette/⁠Shoutout to our Sponsor: Country Boy HomesDo you remember your grandma's front porch? You know that spot where stories were told, kisses were stolen, and sweet tea was always being sipped. Now imagine giving your family a place to make those same memories, but in a brand new, energy-efficient, and home that was built just for you. At Country Boy Homes, we help folks just like you find that forever feeling.Whether it's your first home, your next home, or your, we're done with rent forever, like,  seriously home, we specialize in affordable, durable, manufactured, and modular homes, the kind that make room for muddy boots, big dreams, and second helpings. Come see what coming home really feels like. Call 843-574-8979 today.Country Boy Homes, Built to Last, Priced for You.