A Qualified Intermediary Surety Bond is a license and permit bond required by government entities to perform real estate intermediary services in that jurisdiction. A qualified intermediary is a company or individual who facilitates 1031 exchanges for taxpayers. A 1031 exchange is a tax deferred exchange of real property between one taxpayer and another. The bond guarantees that the intermediary will exchange the property as agreed upon and will prepare all documents necessary to accomplish the exchange.