As San Diego 1031 exchange advisors, Skyler Stokes and Justin Johnson were recently invited by the Real Estate Society at San Diego State University to speak with students about 1031 exchanges, Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), and how private equity real estate offerings are used by investors to access institutional-quality opportunities.
Real Estate Society of San Diego State University
Founded in 2005 by two students seeking a more hands-on approach to real estate education, the Real Estate Society has become a platform for exposing students to the many career paths within the industry. Through guest speakers, real-world investment discussions, and property walkthroughs, students gain insight into finance, acquisitions, and investment strategies while building relationships with professionals they may not otherwise have access to.
Skyler and Justin were invited by Barrett Smith and Nate Wilson, the program’s directors, to share how Aloha Wealth Partners helps clients navigate the intersection of traditional wealth management and real estate investing. Their presentation focused on how investors use tools such as 1031 exchanges and Delaware Statutory Trust investments to defer capital gains taxes, aim to achieve retirement diversification, and gain exposure to professionally managed real estate through syndicated and securitized structures.
The Presentation
The discussion highlighted how tax-advantaged real estate strategies have the potential to complement broader financial planning – bridging private equity, income focused assets, and long term portfolio construction. For students interested in real estate, finance, or wealth management, it provided a practical look at how these disciplines work together outside of a classroom setting.
Engaging With Students
Following the presentation, Skyler and Justin stayed for an additional 45 minutes answering in-depth questions around DST structures, sponsor underwriting, how offerings are brought to market, the real estate fundamentals behind these investments and how Aloha Wealth Partners advises investors and clients. Of the approximately 60 students in attendance, 10 stayed afterward to seek career guidance and advice on how to enter the real estate and investment advisory space.
Education is central to the mission of Aloha Wealth Partners. From personal financial planning and tax efficient real estate strategies to charitable planning and business succession, empowering people through knowledge is embedded in the firm’s ethos. The opportunity to engage with and educate the next generation of real estate professionals is something we value deeply.
Conclusion
We’re grateful to the students and faculty at San Diego State University for the invitation and look forward to supporting these students however we can as they explore careers in real estate, finance, and investment management.
Go Aztecs!
