Insightful.

"Smart clients will ask us to help with that, before making a decision". I'm sure he knows more than I do as he has been doing this for decades. So, in effect, I'm learning on his dime.

He intends to hold it and pass it to a daughter (without business acumen) via inheritance.  So the FMV step up is a factor and will be another tax benefit.

 If you want to complain about work

I'm my own boss and I talk to myself all the time.  He he.  He will pay me double my bill (he said) as he was extremely late getting me his stuff so I'm not complaining.

"Each situation should be analyzed based on its own circumstances,"

I'd like to move into an advisory role on 1031s and once I get the knowledge, I'll be looking for opportunites.