Customize Your Next
1031 Exchange

Selling investment real estate can create an opportunity to reconsider what comes next.

Customized 1031 helps real estate investors evaluate 1031 exchange strategies, replacement property solutions, Delaware Statutory Trusts, and other real estate investment opportunities based on their individual goals.

Work directly with Doug Zator to better understand your options and approach your next investment decision with a clearer strategy.

You Sold Your Investment Property,
Now What?

Selling investment real estate can create an opportunity to explore your options and plan what comes next.

You may want to remain an active real estate owner, reduce property management responsibilities, diversify your investments, explore professionally managed real estate, or reposition your equity as your priorities change.

Customized 1031 helps you understand the available paths before deciding which strategy deserves further consideration.

Our Services

Explore 1031 Exchange &
Investment Solutions

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1031 Exchange Advisor

Get personalized guidance as you evaluate your exchange, define your investment priorities, and determine what you want from your next real estate investment.

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1031 Replacement Property Solutions

Explore replacement property strategies based on your objectives, ownership preferences, management responsibilities, and broader plans for your real estate equity.

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DST 1031 Exchange Solutions

For accredited investors considering professionally managed real estate, Delaware Statutory Trusts may provide another replacement property strategy to evaluate as part of a qualifying 1031 exchange.

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721 Exchange & UPREIT Solutions

Explore how a 721 Exchange or UPREIT strategy may provide a different path for investors considering a transition from directly owned real estate into a professionally managed real estate structure.

Aerial view of a professionally managed multi-building real estate portfolio
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Opportunity Zone Funds

Understand Qualified Opportunity Fund opportunities and the investment, tax, liquidity, and long-term considerations that may influence whether a particular strategy deserves consideration.

Insurance & Wealth Protection Solutions

Explore life insurance, disability insurance, long-term care, and annuity strategies designed to help protect your income, assets, family, and broader financial plans.

Considering a Different Approach to Real Estate Ownership?

Selling a property can be more than a financial decision—it can be an opportunity to rethink how you own real estate and what role it plays in your future.

For many investors, selling a property is about more than realizing appreciation. It can also be an opportunity to change how they own real estate.

A Delaware Statutory Trust can eligible provide investors access to professionally managed real estate without personally acquiring or operating an entire replacement property as an investor.

Aerial view of a professionally managed multifamily real estate community

For investors who have spent years managing tenants, leasing, maintenance, property managers, financing, and other landlord responsibilities, a different ownership structure may be worth understanding.

DSTs also involve important limitations and investment risks and are not appropriate for every investor. Consider each opportunity based on individual goals and circumstances carefully.

Meet Doug

Guidance Backed by Experience Across 1031 Exchanges and DSTs

Doug Zator, Founder and Managing Director of Customized 1031
Founder & Managing Director

Doug Zator

Doug Zator is the Founder and Managing Director of Customized 1031.

Before founding Customized 1031, Doug served as Director of Business Development for 1031 Exchanges at an alternative investment firm and worked with a Delaware Statutory Trust sponsor educating investors and financial professionals about DSTs and other alternative investments.

That experience helps Doug look at the decision from both sides: the exchange an investor is completing and the real estate investment strategy that may come next.

His approach begins with understanding the investor rather than starting with a particular investment.

Customized 1031 works with real estate investors across the country. Doug holds FINRA licenses Series 7, 63, 65, & 24, along with his insurance license.

Meet Doug Zator

Client Experiences

What Clients Say About Working With Doug

“I have had a very positive experience working with Doug Zator. I chose him after speaking with multiple other agents when deciding on my DST exchange. Doug is very responsive and adept at quickly getting to the heart of the matter. He made the process easy for me to complete. I'm now receiving monthly income and am satisfied with my decision. I highly recommend Doug to anyone seeking a solution oriented professional that will get the job done right.”

Kristin L.

“I want to thank Doug again for the excellent professional work he and his firm did in setting up my DST this year. He always explained everything and worked seamlessly with my broker and qualified intermediary. I would recommend anyone looking to invest in DSTs to reach out to him.”

Ginny H.

“I was getting old and wanted to get out of the real estate investment hustles. About a year ago, the sale of my last real estate investment was closing, but I hadn’t found what to do with the proceeds next.

Doug introduced me to the DST. My 1031 exchange was completed successfully in time. Now I feel like I've set up a secure income for the next few years while I decide where the money in it eventually should be placed. Thank you Doug.”

Taiko K.

“As a semi retired couple we have appreciated the quality of the passive income producing products we have invested in through Doug.

He communicates with us regularly and promptly responds to any questions or issues we may have.

We intend to continue to invest through him in the future.

He is a true professional in every way.”

Cookie & Patrick O.

“Exceptional Service — Truly Went Above and Beyond

I had an exceptional experience working with Doug Zator throughout my entire 1031 exchange process. From beginning to end, Doug was incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and extremely responsive. He consistently kept me updated, answered all of my questions, and made what could have been a very complicated and overwhelming process so much easier to navigate. What impressed me most about Doug was that I genuinely felt he was always looking out for my best interests. He took the time to understand exactly what I needed and carefully evaluated the different options to find the investment that made the most sense for my particular situation. I never felt pressured or that he was simply trying to sell me a product.

Doug also went above and beyond what I would have expected. He referred me to a 1031 exchange company that did not charge me their usual exchange fees, which saved me money and was something he certainly did not have to do. That was just another example of how much he genuinely cared about helping me through the entire process, not just the portion that directly involved him.

Doug was there every step of the way and always made himself available whenever I had a question or concern. His professionalism, communication, knowledge, responsiveness, and level of service were truly outstanding.

I am extremely grateful for everything Doug did for me and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for someone who is knowledgeable, trustworthy, responsive, and genuinely committed to doing what is best for his clients. He truly went above and beyond.”

Bic M.

“I was introduced to Doug by my real estate agent to show me ways to defer my capital gains from a sale. It's been almost a year and I am happy with everything. I look forward to working with Doug for a long time.”

Mohan T.

You Don't have to be the 1031 Expert, you just need to know who to call.

When a client's property sale leads to questions about a 1031 exchange, replacement property, or DSTs, the conversation can quickly extend beyond the real estate transaction itself.

Customized 1031 works with commercial real estate brokers as an additional educational and investment resource for clients considering what comes next after the sale.

Doug also provides educational presentations for commercial real estate professionals who want to better understand 1031 exchanges, DSTs, and situations where these strategies may become relevant to their clients.

Resources for Commercial Real Estate Brokers
Commercial real estate office overlooking a city skyline

Build Your Understanding Before Making the Decision

The right strategy starts with understanding your options.

The Customized 1031 Resource Center provides practical guidance on the topics investors commonly encounter when preparing for an exchange or evaluating private real estate investments.

Your Next Investment Deserves a Strategy

Whether you are preparing to sell investment property, already navigating a 1031 exchange, or simply exploring what your real estate equity could accomplish next, the first step is understanding the available options.

Talk with Doug about your property, your priorities, and the strategies that may deserve further consideration.