UPDATE: October, 2008
With an economic situation with particular challenges at hand, I'm asking 1031 Like-Kind Exchange Guru, Matt Linville to weigh in on this again. And in the meantime, here's an Asheville 1031 review...
Recently, I happened on an article about
Lunch and Learn, a program designed to expand training and development for staffers. Lunch and Learn, I discovered ,could work to expand our real estate and real estate services training with a multi- outreach and professional education program. Because we are an Asheville Firm with a focus on 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges, this seemed like a great opportunity for staff and clients alike.
So, we opened our office doors to the public and inaugurated a "green investment (1031s encouraged) and sustainable issues"community and neighborhood outreach venue.
Our informal lunch-time chats, previously untitled, could become Asheville's own "1031 green" real estate's Lunch and Learn forum. Does that sound like a Plan to you? It sure did to all the Active Rain Members at our Firm here in Asheville...
Typical Lunch and Learn programs include: 
Eco-conscious investing
1031 & Green
Qualifiers & the 1031
Product training
Professional development
Personal Development
Life Skills
Active Rain Members who enjoy camaraderie at our Firm here in Asheville (7 of us.you can see Bill, Sami, Gabe and Rhodes, in the photo to the right) invited another Active Rain Member, and 1031 Qualified Intermediary, Matt Linville to kick off our Lunch and Learn program.
Here's Matt! 
Matt had informed all of us at Active Rain that there are some seriously important new developments that real estate professionals need to know if we work in the 1031 arena, so we were excit
ed to hear what Matt had to say.
I, for one, wanted to know what might be new in terms of second/vacation homes, land and conservation properties as investments.
I had a good conversation with him during our Lunch and Learn session. This opportunity to speak informally with the Experts may be one of the greatest benefits of the Lunch and Learn Program, I thought.
Matt had posted on the proposed 1031 Like Kind exchange affects of the new Farm Bill currently under consideration...on his BLOG not long ago, and I wanted to know more about that, too.
Making the exchange of collectibles no longer able to qualify for tax deferment was a concern to me. And, I stayed concerned until I read his update Farm Bill Update....1031 Like Kind Exchange . Matt informed us that " The update will bring good news to those taxpayers who exchange collectibles. The proposed change to their qualifying nature has been dropped from the bill. So, exchange those collectibles as normal!"
Of course, real estate pro
fessionals being who we are, an inquisitive bunch for certain, especially those of us who are into the "green is red hot" thing, we had numbers of questions about conservation and socially-conscious investing as it pertains to the 1031 Like Kind Exchange ready for Matt.
And here he was, right in our Lunch and Learn, and with all the latest news. "I will continue to keep you up to date as things happen!" Matt promised us. . .
...and I will answer questions if you ask them in comment section below. .."
THANKS, Matt!
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What a wonderful time it was for me! I so appreciate the chance to come in and speak with each of you. What am I doing in the first picture? Looks like I was caught taking the last cookie.
I am always impressed with your dedication and the willingness of your firm to learn all that is out there. We make a great team and I look forward to working with each of you and your clients as well!
Thank you, janeAnne!