In this episode, we are catching up with Paul Locatelli, a Santa Cruz real estate veteran and old friend, with stories you won’t hear anywhere else! From Versace to navigating tricky appraisals, Paul’s seen it all — and yes, Tom’s swim record is still standing.

In this chat, we break down:

- How rent control is reshaping the Santa Cruz housing market
- Current market changes affecting buyers, sellers, and investors
- Paul’s personal journey in real estate, including wild stories and lessons learned

Whether you’re local, looking to invest, or just love a good Santa Cruz story, this interview is packed with real estate insights, laughs, and behind-the-scenes tales.

00:00:00 Reconnecting with Old Friends
00:03:15 Santa Cruz Market Snapshot
00:08:40 Rent Control Realities
00:14:20 Career Highlights & Funny Tales
00:20:50 721 DST Investments Explained
00:31:45 Investment Returns & Risk
00:41:30 Educating Investors
00:50:10 Buyer & Seller Trends in Santa Cruz
00:57:37 Portfolio Management Tips
01:07:22 People First, Profits Follow
01:16:14 Lessons from Real-Life Cases
01:23:05 Adding Value Without Selling
01:29:18 Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Our Expert:

Paul Locatelli, Epique Real Estate

https://locatellirealestate.com/

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AI can deliver quick answers, but when it comes to 1031 exchanges, it doesn’t know the right questions to ask — and that can cost you big.

In this episode, Dave and Tom break down why relying solely on AI can lead to missed opportunities, unnecessary risk, and even failed transactions. They share real-world stories, discuss the nuances of reverse and improvement exchanges, and explain why experience, strategy, and human judgment still matter. Whether you’re an investor, broker, or just curious about AI’s role in real estate, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and make smarter decisions.

01:00 AI’s Role in Real Estate
02:00 The Big Issue: Not Knowing the Right Questions to Ask
04:30 AI Can’t Review Your Sales Agreement
07:30 Safe Harbor vs. Non-Safe Harbor Exchanges
08:30 Why Cheap Isn’t Always Better
11:20 Referral Fees, Conflicts of Interest, and Client Trust
15:00 $100M Deal Example: Security & Risk Management
28:00 Basis, Depreciation, and Why AI Can’t Calculate It
46:30 Final Thoughts: AI’s Place & Human Expertise

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From IRAs to 401(k)s to 1031s… what’s really legal, and what’s a tax trap? David and Thomas Moore answer real client questions: Can retirement accounts pay property debt? When is selling smarter than exchanging? And what “tax-free” really means.

00:00 – Retirement Accounts + 1031 Exchanges
00:25 – Client Question: Can You Use Home Sale Proceeds to Pay IRA Debt?
01:59 – Why Paying IRA Debt with Personal Funds = Prohibited Transaction
04:05 – Legal Workaround: Using an LLC to Avoid Prohibited Transactions
07:15 – Asking the Right Tax & Legal Questions
15:22 – What to Do When a Seller Wants a 1031 Exchange
18:11 – Equity ≠ Gain: Understanding Your Real Tax Exposure
25:44 – What a 1031 Exchange Really Does (Tax Deferral, Not Tax-Free)
26:39 – Swap Until You Drop: Passing Properties to Heirs Tax-Free
41:04 – 1031 G6 Rules: When You Can (and Can’t) Access Cash

🔔 Subscribe for more tips on 1031 exchanges, retirement investing, and wealth-building strategies.

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