About Us
The 1031 Investment Strategy Difference
At the heart of our operations, we are dedicated analysts with deep expertise in commercial real estate, 1031 tax accounting and reporting, and financial modeling. Our analytical backgrounds drive our rigorous, data-driven approach, setting us apart in the DST investment space. We meticulously monitor trends in the market and thoroughly vet each opportunity through comprehensive third-party due diligence reports, examining over 300 variables for every deal we present.
This exhaustive commitment to detail and continuous oversight ensures that we provide our clients with a level of protection and insight that is both comprehensive and informed. Our multifaceted expertise enables us to confidently guide our clients toward informed, secure, and successful investment decisions. We believe in offering a transparent, thorough analysis for every investment opportunity, allowing you to make confident, well-informed choices.
Zack Brough is the founder of 1031 Investment Strategies, LLC. He is an investment advisor and registered representative and holds a Series 22, 63, and 65 Securities license. Additionally, he holds a California State real estate sales license with Premier Realty Associates.
Zack embarked on his real estate journey in 1996 as a multifamily broker in San Francisco. At that time, real estate syndication was a novel concept, and he was one of the few visionaries structuring larger acquisitions for 1031 investors. In 2002, when the IRS officially approved this ownership structure, Zack’s foresight and deep understanding of the risks, benefits, and challenges of syndicating real estate for 1031 were already well-established. Since then, he has sold over $200 million in Bay Area investment real estate and raised approximately $100 million for various types of ownership structures and asset classes in growth markets across the U.S.
Mike Ghirardo is the President and registered representative at 1031 Investment Strategies, LLC. He holds Series 7, 22, 63, and 66 licenses, as well as a California Real Estate Sales License.
Mike has been immersed in the world of 1031 exchanges since 1990, growing up in a family with deep expertise in real estate and accounting. His father, a CPA and seasoned real estate broker, brought decades of experience in 1031 exchanges to the table, while his mother, a dedicated real estate agent, contributed her industry knowledge. This environment provided Mike with a strong foundation and ignited his passion for 1031 real estate solutions.
Analytical by nature, Mike earned a Master of Statistics degree from the University of California at Berkeley, building on his success as the top graduate of the Statistics program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. After Berkeley, he further honed his analytical skills by forecasting the financial profitability of a $2.1 billion commercial real estate loan portfolio at Wells Fargo. In 2017, Mike decided to join the family business at Ghirardo Real Estate, where he worked alongside his father and brother, serving numerous 1031 exchange clients. Recognizing the benefits that Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) could offer to investors, he joined Zack in 2020 to focus on this growing area. Mike’s combination of analytical ability, close ties to 1031 accounting and tax reporting, and deep experience in investment real estate make him an invaluable asset to his 1031 clients.