A qualified intermediary (QI) or accommodator is a person or business who enters into a written exchange agreement with a taxpayer. To complete the exchange, your qualified intermediary must release the sale funds from the original relinquished property to purchase the replacement property.The property will be placed with a qualified intermediary for 180 days, during which you can use the exchange equity to make the necessary improvements. The use of a Qualified Intermediary is essential to completing a successful IRC §1031 Tax Deferred Exchange. Learn what it takes to do a 1031 exchange in California and how you can cleverly leverage it to defer capital gains tax and build wealth. The Taxpayer enters into an Exchange Agreement with the Qualified. Intermediary. Find a qualified intermediary for your California 1031 exchange to ensure you can successfully defer capital gains tax on your property transaction. Do You Need to Assign Your Purchase Agreement to Your Qualified Intermediary in a 1031 Exchange? The role of the Qualified Intermediary is essential to completing a successful and valid delayed exchange. One week later, Sharon entered into an Exchange Agreement with a qualified intermediary.