OUR APPROACH
Who We Are
Birmingham Exchange Company is a qualified intermediary that is owned and operated by three attorneys active in real estate law as well as in the title-insurance industry. Their combined legal and title experience make Birmingham Exchange uniquely qualified to advise you on the benefits of a 1031 exchange and customize the structure of your transaction to fit your needs.
Birmingham Exchange Company is a member of the Federation of Exchange Accommodators (FEA).
Shamil E. Halabu, Esq.
Shamil specializes in finding creative solutions to 1031 exchange issues that satisfy the many parties involved in each deal, especially in complex commercial deals. He has practiced real estate and business law in Michigan since 1985, has held a real estate agent’s license since 1990, and has worked in the title insurance industry since 1999. Having helped close thousands of transactions in his career, he brings a wealth of experience and a commonsense approach to closing each deal.
Liz Halabu Casselman, Esq.
Liz manages all aspects of operations at Birmingham Exchange Company. She works closely with our real estate investors, directs and designs our 1031 exchanges, manages the cutting edge subaccount banking system, and troubleshoots at every stage of the process, ensuring that our clients receive exemplary and responsive service from beginning to closing (and beyond). Liz uses her law degree and MBA to keep the company running smoothly and ensure the employees are up to date with the latest advancements in the 1031 exchange market.
Peter S. Halabu, Esq
Peter serves as the primary interface between Birmingham Exchange Company and Birmingham Title Agency; resolves complicated and last-minute 1031 exchange issues; and closes client files directly. Since graduating from Harvard Law School in 2010, he has practiced law in the areas of business transactions, commercial litigation, secured debt, real estate, and bankruptcy. He has also held a real estate agent’s license since 2004. His experience in title, law, and real estate helps him anticipate client needs and stay on top of even the most complicated and difficult deals.
Interdisciplinary Perspective
Birmingham Exchange Company is dedicated to educating and raising awareness of the benefits and flexibility of 1031 exchanges among other real estate professionals, including attorneys, brokers, lenders, and accountants. Besides one-on-one education and consulting, Birmingham Exchange Company’s owners provide continuing legal education classes to real brokers, covering both 1031 basics and its in-depth applications. This dedication to education brings us into further contact with real estate professionals and investors, current investment strategies and the current state of the real estate market.
Birmingham Exchange Company works with the best and brightest real estate professionals in the industry. Whether you are a seasoned investor, attorney, real estate agent, or broker, Birmingham Exchange Company provides more than just 1031 exchange services. With decades of legal experience, title industry knowledge, and 1031 exchange expertise, we have formed connections with the best in the industry. If you are looking for top rated DST brokers, appraisers, contractors, or lenders, we have worked with the very best and we are happy to provide referrals. If you are navigating a complicated compounded tax issue in addition to your 1031 exchange, we have the professionals you need to help you get the information and assurances you need. No matter the circumstance, we have experienced it before at Birmingham Exchange Company and can refer you to the right professional who will provide the same standard of dedication and exemplary service we hold ourselves to.
Interdisciplinary Perspective
Birmingham Exchange Company is dedicated to educating and raising awareness of the benefits and flexibility of 1031 exchanges among other real estate professionals, including attorneys, brokers, lenders, and accountants. Besides one-on-one education and consulting, Birmingham Exchange Company’s owners provide continuing legal education classes to real brokers, covering both 1031 basics and its in-depth applications. This dedication to education brings us into further contact with real estate professionals and investors, current investment strategies and the current state of the real estate market.
Birmingham Exchange Company works with the best and brightest real estate professionals in the industry. Whether you are a seasoned investor, attorney, real estate agent, or broker, Birmingham Exchange Company provides more than just 1031 exchange services. With decades of legal experience, title industry knowledge, and 1031 exchange expertise, we have formed connections with the best in the industry.
If you are looking for top rated DST brokers, appraisers, contractors, or lenders, we have worked with the very best and we are happy to provide referrals. If you are navigating a complicated compounded tax issue in addition to your 1031 exchange, we have the professionals you need to help you get the information and assurances you need. No matter the circumstance, we have experienced it before at Birmingham Exchange Company and can refer you to the right professional who will provide the same standard of dedication and exemplary service we hold ourselves to.
Creativity Leading to Results
Birmingham Exchange Company differentiates itself from competitors by having a customized experience for our clients, as we know that no two transactions are the same. Let our team of experts determine which 1031 exchange best fits your business and personal needs. We are here to guide you throughout the entire process and provide answers to your questions. We pride ourselves on keeping our clients informed throughout the entire 1031 exchange transaction, whether it’s a reminder of the deadlines approaching, current balance in the account, or any requirement that’s needed to keep you and your 1031 exchange on track.
Our approach is driven by three hands-on principal owners, who are also practicing real estate attorneys and title agents. When the success of your deal relies on the efficient resolution of a legal matter, or on gauging whether a legal issue is an impediment to your successful 1031 exchange or not, our owners are always able to find a solution to move the deal forward. Unlike other qualified intermediaries, there are no delays or miscommunications from consulting outside counsel or uninvolved ownership.
As a result, you’ll work with someone who not only is an expert in 1031 exchanges, but is ideally suited to craft your 1031 exchange transaction to meet your investment goals. This level of service creates relationships that last beyond the 180-day deadline, for a lifetime of 1031 investing.
Safeguarding Your Funds
The 1031 exchange process requires your sale proceeds to be “parked,” or escrowed, until closing on your replacement property. Birmingham Exchange Company works with the best vendors in the industry to ensure that our escrow of your funds is transparent, accessible, accurate, and accountable.
We are one of a few elite qualified intermediaries with a unique and revolutionary 1031 exchange-specific banking solution that enables us to provide our clients with the most advanced, responsive, and individualized 1031 exchange banking services:
- Your funds will be held in a dedicated sub-account with a unique account number, designated with your name and tax identification number.
- You will have monthly bank statements generated which provide proof of funds for your future purchases.
- Your account is created the day we receive the funds, and liquidated the day you close on your replacement property.
- Your funds will never be mingled with other monies, will never be invested or otherwise reused, and will remain available to you pursuant to the 1031 guidelines.
- All accounts are held in an FDIC insured institution with invest-grade ratings.
- Our multimillion-dollar errors and omissions, cybercrime, and crime insurance policies give you additional security.
At any point during the 1031 exchange process, you may elect to remove any portion of the funds, or to cancel the exchange completely and receive all your funds. It is your money, and you are entitled to receive it when and however you choose. Once you receive your funds, the process with the IRS becomes exactly the same as if you had received the proceeds at the closing table.
Safeguarding Your Funds
The 1031 exchange process requires your sale proceeds to be “parked,” or escrowed, until closing on your replacement property.
Birmingham Exchange Company works with the best vendors in the industry to ensure that our escrow of your funds is transparent, accessible, accurate, and accountable. We are one of a few elite qualified intermediaries with a unique and revolutionary 1031 exchange-specific banking solution that enables us to provide our clients with the most advanced, responsive, and individualized 1031 exchange banking services:
- Your funds will be held in a dedicated sub-account with a unique account number, designated with your name and tax identification number.
- You will have monthly bank statements generated which provide proof of funds for your future purchases.
- Your account is created the day we receive the funds, and liquidated the day you close on your replacement property.
- Your funds will never be mingled with other monies, never invested or otherwise reused, and available to you at any time.
- All accounts are held in an FDIC insured institution with invest-grade ratings.
- Our multimillion-dollar errors and omissions, cybercrime, and crime insurance policies give you additional security.
At any point during the 1031 exchange process, you may elect to remove any portion of the funds, or to cancel the exchange completely and receive all your funds. It is your money, and you are entitled to receive it when and however you choose. Once you receive your funds, the process with the IRS becomes exactly the same as if you had received the proceeds at the closing table.
Our Fee Structure
Birmingham Exchange Company charges a one-time flat fee at the time of the replacement property closing. This means that if you cannot successfully complete a 1031 exchange, there are no fees to be paid. We only collect a fee if you successfully complete the 1031 exchange, either with a partial deferment of full deferment of capital gains taxes.
We do not charge any additional fees, such as wire fees, account setup fees, or escrow fees. We also do not charge for consultation, or for our time coordinating with your title agents and other professionals
