Mike Waddell, CEO of MCB Wealthbridge, brings decades of experience in the real estate and the securitized 1031 exchange industry along with a deep understanding of the needs and priorities of high-net-worth investors. Under his leadership, MCB Wealthbridge serves as both a DST sponsor and strategic investment partner, developing high-quality CRE offerings specifically designed to support investors navigating 1031 exchanges. 

Having witnessed the securitized 1031 industry’s evolution firsthand, Mike has overseen more than $6 billion in DST and Tenants in Common (TIC) transactions across multifamily, industrial, retail, and healthcare asset classes.  With MCB Wealthbridge, Mike is leading a platform that reflects the sophistication, compliance, and transparency modern investors and advisors have come to expect. 

Read the following Q&A with Mike, where he shares his philosophy to investing and his thoughts on what makes MCB Wealthbridge so distinct.  

Q: What exactly does MCB Wealthbridge do? 

Mike: Simply put, we help our investors fulfill the requirements of a tax deferred, 1031 exchange by offering fractional ownership in strategically acquired, institutional grade assets for replacement properties. Our high net worth, accredited retail investors are a different segment than our institutional and private equity clients, and we recognize their unique needs and objectives. MCB Wealthbridge’s investor centric focus has been specifically designed to place the investor’s best interests first.  

Q: Why is the retail investor space important? 

Mike: There are thousands of investors across the country who need to complete a 1031 exchange at any given time. One out of four baby boomers own an investment property, and many are looking to retire. They want to offload the burden of day-to-day management, no more tenants, collections, bill payments, or property maintenance, and convert the properties to a passive investment. One of the greatest challenges for these investors  is finding suitable high quality real estate investments that meet their return objectives. Our goal is to meet investor 1031 exchange property needs through offering carefully and strategically acquired, high-quality DST program options that allow them to receive monthly or quarterly income, preserve capital gains, and continue to benefit from real estate without the normal hassles of day-to-day management. 

Q: What does the typical process look like for someone doing a 1031 exchange? 

Mike: Many of these investors work with broker-dealer reps or registered investment advisors. As part of broader portfolio planning, they discuss their real estate holdings and timing for eventual sale. For example, they may own a small apartment building or shopping center that they’d like to sell. In addition to deferring capital gains tax through an exchange, they are seeking a passive, income generating investment. Their rep will discuss DST program options available from national sponsors like MCB Wealthbridge which have been evaluated and reviewed by the broker dealer or RIA.  

Once the existing property (relinquished property”) is sold, and its net sale proceeds are directly placed with a qualified intermediary (“QI”), the new property (“replacement property”) is purchased with the funds held by the QI and the DST sponsor manages the real estate investment on behalf of investors through its holding period and disposition. 

Q: Why is DST 1031 exchange investing particularly relevant in today’s economic climate? 

Mike: It’s always relevant for long-term estate planning. 1031 exchanges have been around in one form or another for more than 100 years (since 1921). As I mentioned, there are thousands of baby boomers who are tired of managing their investment property and want to sell, but don’t want to take the capital gains tax hit. By exchanging into a DST, they can defer capital gains and potentially receive steady income. When the asset passes to their heirs, there is typically a step-up in cost basis —eliminating, or greatly reducing the tax burden altogether depending on when the property is sold after and owner’s passing.  

Q: Who is the ideal candidate for a DST investment through MCB? 

Mike: Typically, it’s a high net worth investor who no longer wants to be active in their existing real estate investments. They want to stay invested in real estate but move to passive management. They care deeply about wealth preservation, estate planning, and leaving a legacy. Their investment may range from $100K to $10M and typically falls between $250K and $500K. 

Q: What sets MCB Wealthbridge apart from other DST sponsors? 

Mike: Selecting the name Wealthbridge was intentional; we are helping people bridge their wealth to the next generation. Our goal is to truly understand what the investor wants and deliver stable, high-quality properties in strong markets with solid returns that can be passed on. We focus on fully leased, stabilized assets. Every deal we offer must meet our high standards, and if we’re not confident in a property, we don’t put it on the table. Our culture is investor-first, team-driven, and performance-oriented, and we don’t just talk about being investor-focused—we live it. 

Q: What lessons have shaped your approach? 

Mike: The biggest one is to always keep the investor top of mind. The business will take care of itself if you stay focused on relationships, quality, and performance. We’ve seen the DST structure evolve from the complicated, cumbersome TIC setups of the 2000’s, into today’s more streamlined and investor-friendly DST format. And as sponsors and offerings continue to become more sophisticated, we plan to lead the way. 

Q: What do you ultimately hope to accomplish with Wealthbridge? 

Mike: We want to bring MCB’s highly respected capabilities and our wealth of real estate experience to our retail investors in a meaningful way. It’s about providing access to great investments and doing it with integrity, transparency, and a relentless focus on client outcomes. We’re building something lasting for our investors, their families, and the communities we serve. 

You can contact Mike at mwaddell@mcbwealthbridge.com

MCB Wealthbridge is a division of MCB Real Estate. WealthForge Distributors, LLC and MCB Wealthbridge are not affiliated entities. Securities offered through WealthForge Distributors, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. WealthForge does not make investment recommendations and no communication, through this website or in any other medium, should be construed as a recommendation for any security offered on or off this investment platform. This website is intended solely for qualified investors. Investments in private offerings are speculative, illiquid, and may result in a complete loss of capital. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prospective investors should conduct their own due diligence and are encouraged to consult with a financial advisor, attorney, accountant, and any other professional that can help them to understand and assess the risks associated with any investment opportunity. 

This offering includes risks and uncertainty many of which are not outlined herein including, without limitation, risks involved in the real estate industry such as market, operational, interest rate, occupancy, inflationary, natural disasters, capitalization rate, regulatory, tax and other risks which may or may not be able to be identified at this time and may result in actual results differing from expected. 

All illustrations are of commercial real estate holdings of MCB Real Estate, an affiliate of MCB Wealthbridge.