Sale-Leasebacks

Sale-leaseback property identification for 1031 exchange investors seeking newly created NNN lease investments backed by operating companies selling and leasing back their real estate.

Sale-leaseback properties represent a unique opportunity for 1031 exchange investors to acquire newly created single tenant NNN retail and commercial lease investments. In a sale-leaseback transaction, an operating company sells its real estate and simultaneously leases it back under a long-term net lease, converting a real estate asset into working capital while maintaining occupancy. For Washington DC investors, sale-leasebacks offer the chance to acquire properties with brand-new, long-term leases from motivated tenants who are operationally committed to the location. These transactions often feature absolute NNN lease structures where the tenant handles all property expenses including taxes, insurance, maintenance, and structural repairs. We identify sale-leaseback opportunities in all 50 states across single tenant NNN retail, industrial, medical office, and other commercial property types, and we coordinate with qualified intermediaries to close within your 1031 exchange deadlines.

Triple Net Lease Perspective

Passive income backed by tenant responsibility

Triple net (NNN) tenants agree to cover taxes, insurance, and most property maintenance, so ownership feels more like collecting rent than managing a daily operations diary. When paired with investment-grade tenants, such as national convenience, pharmacy, or quick-service restaurant brands, the income stream stays predictable even when the cycle swings.

Absolute NNN leases

These 10-to-25-year corporate-guaranteed commitments hand every cost burden to the tenant so you simply hold title and collect rent. Tenants like Dollar General and Walgreens treat the property as their own brand asset, lowering your time spent on oversight.

Regular NNN leases

Some NNN structures keep a handful of landlord responsibilities such as roof or parking maintenance, but they still deliver steady cash flow and inflation-hedged rent bumps. They pair well with tenants such as Starbucks or industrial operators who may share a limited list of expenses.

Whether you lean toward absolute or more collaborative triple net leases, these assets flex across states, partner with high-credit tenants, and magnify the benefits of a well-structured 1031 exchange.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sale-leaseback and how does it work for 1031 exchange buyers?

In a sale-leaseback, an operating company sells its real estate to an investor and simultaneously leases it back under a long-term net lease. As the 1031 exchange buyer, you acquire the property with a brand-new lease already in place, and the seller becomes your tenant. This creates a single tenant NNN retail or commercial investment with a tenant that is operationally committed to the location. Sale-leasebacks are eligible as like-kind replacement property for Washington DC investors completing 1031 exchanges.

What are the benefits of acquiring sale-leaseback properties in a 1031 exchange?

Sale-leasebacks offer brand-new, long-term leases with tenants who have a vested interest in remaining at the location, often with absolute NNN structures where the tenant handles all property expenses. The leases are freshly negotiated with current market terms and built-in rent escalations. For 1031 exchange investors in Washington DC, sale-leasebacks provide the opportunity to acquire properties with maximum remaining lease term and tenants who are motivated to maintain the property, since they operate their business there daily.

How do you evaluate the tenant credit quality in a sale-leaseback?

Tenant credit evaluation in sale-leasebacks requires analyzing the operating company's financial statements, including revenue trends, profitability, debt levels, and cash flow coverage of rent obligations. Unlike publicly traded credit tenants in traditional single tenant NNN retail, sale-leaseback tenants may be private companies without public credit ratings. We review audited or reviewed financials, assess the tenant's industry position, evaluate unit-level economics at the specific location, and analyze the lease guaranty structure. For Washington DC investors, this thorough credit analysis ensures the tenant can meet their lease obligations throughout the term.