Sundae
Sundae is a residential real estate marketplace connecting homeowners selling as-is properties with a network of 20,000+ property investors via a competitive auction, operating across 11 U.S. metros with zero seller fees.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Sundae does
Sundae is a residential real estate marketplace founded in 2018 by Josh Stech (CEO) and Andrew Swain, headquartered in San Francisco and operating across 11 U.S. metro areas in six states (Alabama, California, Mississippi, Nevada, Oklahoma, Utah). The platform connects homeowners selling properties in any condition — including dated, damaged, inherited, or distressed homes — with a network of 20,000+ property investors through a two-round competitive auction process. Sellers pay zero agent fees, commissions, or closing costs; investors pay transaction-based buyer premiums (including a $1,000 Admin Fee and $250/day late-closing penalty), which constitute Sundae's primary revenue stream. Each listing is packaged into a detailed Property Profile (photo gallery, 3D tour, video walkthrough, floorplan, inspection report, preliminary title report) and presented to investors, with the top three offers advancing to a final round. Sundae reports an average of 22+ offers per listing, closing timelines of 10-60 days, and over 8,000 sellers helped since inception.
Sundae's product surface extends beyond the core marketplace into adjacent revenue lines. Sundae Edge (launched 2022) is a paid premium membership for investors seeking expanded multi-market access. The Sundae Referral Network allows licensed real estate agents to refer hard-to-sell listings and earn a 2-3% commission. Sundae Funding, Inc., a wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary, provides financing to property investors on and off the marketplace, adding a lending revenue stream. A cash advance of up to $20,000 is offered to eligible sellers pre-closing. The company has built a partnership ecosystem including the Dr. Phil Show, Caring Transitions, Sunshine Retirement Living, and Clear Home Solutions to source motivated sellers through content, senior-transition, and moving-service channels. Total capital raised is $135 million, with the most recent round a $80 million Series C in July 2021 co-led by Fifth Wall and General Global Capital.
Sundae firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sundae
- Legal name
- Sundae, Inc.
- Website
- https://sundae.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Sundae is a residential real estate marketplace connecting homeowners selling as-is properties with a network of 20,000+ property investors via a competitive auction, operating across 11 U.S. metros with zero seller fees.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sundae industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Real Estate Marketplace
- NAICS
- Title Abstract and Settlement Offices (541191)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Real Estate Auctions (BPAJAEAA)
Keywords
Where Sundae is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Sundae business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Transaction-based Buyer Premiums: Sundae earns revenue primarily through transaction-based buyer premiums charged to property investors who purchase on the marketplace. This is the main revenue stream with no fees charged to sellers.
- Investor Services: Additional services offered to property investors including title, escrow, and brokerage services that help streamline the purchase process.
- Paid Subscriptions for Investors: Paid subscription services for property investors including the Sundae Edge premium program for expanded market access.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Buyer Transaction Fee - Earnest Money Deposit |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Buyer Admin Fee |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Seller - Zero Fees |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sundae product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sundae operates a residential real estate marketplace that connects homeowners selling as-is properties with a network of 20,000+ property investors through a competitive two-round auction process. Homeowners receive multiple cash offers without making repairs, paying agent fees, or staging their home, with closing timelines of 10–60 days. The company monetizes through transaction-based buyer premiums charged to investors, with no fees charged to sellers.
Product overview
Sundae operates as a unified real estate marketplace platform built around its core Sundae Marketplace, which connects homeowners selling as-is properties with a network of 20,000+ property investors through a competitive two-round auction process. The platform's main service offering is the Sundae Homeowner Service, which provides sellers with zero fees, no repairs required, and closing in 10–60 days, supported by a dedicated Market Expert, property profiling (photos, 3D tour, inspection), multiple investor offers, and a Closing Manager. Adjacent offerings include Sundae Edge (a premium investor membership with expanded market access), the Sundae Referral Network (enabling real estate agents to earn commissions by referring clients to the marketplace), and Sundae Funding (an investor lending product offered through Sundae's licensed subsidiary). An optional cash advance of up to $20,000 is available to eligible sellers before closing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Sundae Marketplace
- Sundae Homeowner Service
- Sundae Referral Network
- Sundae Edge
- Sundae Funding
- Sundae Cash Advance
Quantifiable outcome
- Average 22+ offers per property listing on marketplace
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Sundae
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sundae technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Sundae partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and minor.
- Dr. PhilflagshipDr. Phil and Sundae are teaming up to develop resources so homeowners can avoid stress and sell worry-free. Includes customer stories featured on the Dr. Phil show.
- Caring TransitionsminorSenior relocation and downsizing services partner serving Southwest Las Vegas area. Provides transition management for seniors selling homes.
- Clear Home SolutionsminorMoving and transition services partner covering Los Angeles County, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and Northern Orange County in California.
- Sunshine Retirement LivingminorRetirement community operator with locations across 16 states including California and Texas. Partnership provides referral network for retiring homeowners.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sundae competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Opendoor: Opendoor is the largest U.S. iBuyer, directly buying homes from sellers via algorithmic cash offers. It is a direct competitor in the residential as-is sale space, with broader geographic reach and balance-sheet capital versus Sundae's auction model.
- Offerpad: Offerpad is a leading iBuyer making direct cash offers on homes in 20+ markets. Like Sundae, it targets sellers who want to offload dated or distressed properties, and competes for the same motivated-seller audience.
- HomeVestors: HomeVestors operates the "We Buy Ugly Houses" franchise, purchasing distressed single-family homes directly from sellers nationwide. It targets the same dated/distressed seller segment as Sundae and is a direct comparable in the as-is residential purchase market.
- Knock: Knock provides a home trade-in platform offering cash offers and guaranteed backup on existing homes. It is directly comparable to Sundae in serving sellers who need certainty, speed, and an as-is path to sale.
- Ribbon: Ribbon provides cash-offer and concierge services that let sellers move before their existing home sells. It overlaps Sundae's value proposition of enabling quick, as-is sales through institutional cash buyers.
- Flyhomes: Flyhomes offers cash-buyout and "buy before you sell" services to homeowners. It competes with Sundae for sellers who want to skip showings and repairs and receive a guaranteed cash path.
Broad incumbents
- Redfin: Redfin is a national residential brokerage with a broad consumer platform and RedfinNow iBuyer arm. It competes indirectly with Sundae as a multi-channel home-selling destination and shares the same seller customer base.
- Zillow: Zillow is the largest U.S. residential real estate portal, previously the operator of Zillow Offers. It remains a broad incumbent in the seller-attraction funnel that Sundae competes against for motivated-seller attention.
- Compass: Compass is a national tech-enabled real estate brokerage serving buyers and sellers. It competes broadly for the same agent and seller relationships that Sundae targets through its Referral Network and marketplace model.
Emerging players
- Roofstock: Roofstock operates a marketplace for single-family rental investment properties. It is comparable on the investor-side of Sundae's two-sided marketplace, serving the same pool of property investors with off-market deal flow.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Sundae social profiles
Digital presenceSundae financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sundae leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Sundae subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Sundae funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors20 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sundae M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sundae
What does Sundae do?
Sundae operates a residential real estate marketplace that connects homeowners selling as-is properties with a network of 20,000+ property investors through a competitive two-round auction process. Homeowners receive multiple cash offers without making repairs, paying agent fees, or staging their home, with closing timelines of 10–60 days. The company monetizes through transaction-based buyer premiums charged to investors, with no fees charged to sellers.
Is Sundae a public or private company?
Sundae is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sundae founded?
Sundae was founded in 2018. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Sundae based?
Sundae is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Sundae make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Transaction-based Buyer Premiums are the primary driver. The others are investor Services and paid Subscriptions for Investors.
Who are Sundae's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Opendoor, Offerpad, HomeVestors, Knock, Ribbon and Flyhomes. Broad incumbents are Redfin, Zillow and Compass. Roofstock is listed as an emerging player.
Does Sundae have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sundae.
What industry is Sundae in?
Sundae's product category is Real Estate Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAJAEAA, Residential Real Estate Auctions. Its NAICS code is 541191.