What happens when you sell highly appreciated real estate? Should you use a 1031 exchange, pay the capital gains tax, or consider another strategy such as a Deferred Sales Trust?

In this episode of the Newport Mastermind Collective, Richard Riva, Dat Nguyen, and Greg Reese discuss capital gains taxes, Deferred Sales Trusts, 1031 exchanges, estate planning, living trusts, probate, and step-up in basis.

Richard Riva, founder of Wealth Management Solutions, brings the wealth management and financial planning perspective.

Dat Nguyen, Certified Mortgage Advisor and founder of Everyday Lending Group, discusses how these strategies intersect with real estate, mortgage financing, refinancing, and the conversations homeowners and real estate investors are having today.

Greg Reese of AmeriEstate & Reef Point, shares his estate planning expertise and explains strategies designed to help property owners preserve and transfer wealth more efficiently.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Capital gains taxes when selling appreciated real estate
• How a 1031 exchange works
• What a Deferred Sales Trust is and how it differs from a 1031 exchange
• Using a Deferred Sales Trust as a potential backup to a failed 1031 exchange
• Revocable living trusts and estate planning
• How probate works in California
• Why properly funding a living trust matters
• Step-up in basis for inherited real estate and other appreciated assets
• Estate planning considerations for homeowners and families
• How mortgage, tax, estate planning, and wealth management professionals can work together as an advisory team

If you own real estate, investment property, a business, or other appreciated assets, understanding your options before selling or transferring those assets can make a significant difference.

Featured in this episode:

Richard Riva
Wealth Management Solutions
Newport Mastermind Collective

Greg Reese
AmeriEstate
Estate Planning & Wealth Preservation

Dat Nguyen
Certified Mortgage Advisor
Founder, Everyday Lending Group
NMLS #1379110
Mortgage & Real Estate Finance

Newport Mastermind Collective brings together professionals across wealth management, mortgage, real estate, estate planning, tax strategy, and related fields to discuss strategies for building, protecting, and transferring wealth.

This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized tax, legal, investment, or financial advice. Consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstances.

Learn more at https://newportmastermindcollective.org

Richard Riva is a wealth advisor with Wealth Management Solutions and can be found at www.wms-llc.com.

Connect with Dat Nguyen at dat@elendingteam.com

Is paying cash for real estate really the safest financial move?

In this episode, Dat Nguyen and Richard Riva break down the opportunity cost of tying up your own capital and explain why sophisticated investors often choose to finance real estate even when they have enough cash to buy outright.

Using real-world examples, they compare paying cash versus using a mortgage, discuss how investment returns can offset borrowing costs, and explain why your own capital may actually be your most expensive source of money.

They also cover:

• Paying cash vs. financing a real estate purchase
• The opportunity cost of using your own money
• How wealthy investors think about leverage
• Putting 10% down vs. 20% down on a primary residence
• When paying PMI may make financial sense
• Keeping cash liquid versus locking it into home equity
• Cash flow considerations for investment properties
• When leverage becomes too risky
• Why discipline matters if you choose to invest the difference

The goal isn’t to convince you that debt is always better. It’s to help you ask a better question:

Is your capital working harder than your debt is costing you?

If you're considering buying a home, purchasing investment property, or deciding how much cash to put into real estate, Dat and Richard can help you run the numbers and evaluate the strategy that fits your financial situation.

Learn more at https://newportmastermindcollective.org

Richard Riva is a wealth advisor with Wealth Management Solutions and can be found at www.wms-llc.com.

Connect with Dat Nguyen at dat@elendingteam.com

You can earn $300,000, $500,000 or more a year and still feel like you’re not getting ahead financially.

In this episode of the Newport Mastermind Collective, Dat Nguyen and wealth advisor Richard Riva explore why high-earning professionals can still feel financially stretched—and why a strong income doesn’t automatically create financial freedom.

They discuss lifestyle creep, taxes, fixed expenses, missed investment opportunities, and the importance of having your financial professionals working together rather than in isolation.

You’ll also hear Richard’s perspective on why wealth is less about a number and more about having options, along with practical ways to start turning income into lasting financial flexibility.

If you’re earning well but wondering why financial freedom still feels further away than it should, this conversation is for you.

Want to continue the conversation?
Connect with Richard Riva for wealth planning or Dat Nguyen for mortgage and real estate financing questions.

Learn more at https://newportmastermindcollective.org

Richard Riva is a wealth advisor with Wealth Management Solutions and can be found at www.wms-llc.com.

Connect with Dat Nguyen at dat@elendingteam.com