Starker Services
Starker Services is the oldest and largest independent Qualified Intermediary firm in the United States, facilitating IRC Section 1031 tax-deferred real estate exchanges through a national network of offices for individual investors and their professional advisors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersLos Gatos, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Starker Services does
Starker Services, Inc. is the nation's oldest, largest, and most experienced independent Qualified Intermediary firm, specializing in IRC Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. Founded in 1987 immediately following the landmark Starker v. U.S. tax court decision that established the delayed-exchange precedent, the firm holds exchange proceeds in segregated, FDIC-insured savings accounts at Bridge Bank, requires two corporate officer signatures for any fund transfer, and maintains a $1,000,000 fidelity bond for client protection. It supports a full menu of exchange structures — Simultaneous, Delayed, Improvement/Construction, Reverse, Multi-Property/Multi-Party — plus specialized Tenant-in-Common and Partnership LLC exchange services, complemented by a 45/180-day calculator and an extensive educational resource library.
The business operates a high-touch, relationship-based go-to-market model: two exchange counselors are assigned per transaction, and customer acquisition flows primarily through professional referral networks spanning real estate agents/brokers, CPAs and tax professionals, attorneys, and escrow officers, supplemented by direct phone (800-332-1031) and website intake. The firm runs a national footprint of 30+ regional office touchpoints across 35+ states, headquartered in Los Gatos, California. Officers hold board seats at the Federation of Exchange Accommodators, and the firm has contributed written opinions that helped shape subsequent IRS guidance including Rev. Proc. 2000-37, 2002-22, and 2008-16.
The revenue model is transaction-fee based, with non-disclosed, quote-based pricing scaled to exchange complexity. The firm has completed over 250,000 exchanges cumulatively and processes thousands of transactions per year. It is privately held with no parent company, no institutional investors, and no disclosed headcount or financial figures. Starker Services has no AI/ML capabilities evidenced; the technology stack centers on custody infrastructure, document preparation, and human-counselor orchestration rather than automation.
Starker Services firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Starker Services
- Legal name
- Starker Services, Inc.
- Website
- https://starker.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Starker Services is the oldest and largest independent Qualified Intermediary firm in the United States, facilitating IRC Section 1031 tax-deferred real estate exchanges through a national network of offices for individual investors and their professional advisors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Starker Services industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Qualified Intermediary / Tax-Deferred Exchange Services
- NAICS
- Title Abstract and Settlement Offices (541191)
- SIC
- Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- 1031 Exchange Intermediary Services (BPAJAOAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Closing Coordination & Transaction Management (Broker/Agent Support) (BPAJAOAH)
Keywords
Where Starker Services is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Gatos
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices31 records
Markets served
Starker Services business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Qualified Intermediary Services Fees: Fees charged for facilitating 1031 tax-deferred exchanges as a Qualified Intermediary. The company prepares exchange documentation and holds sale proceeds during the exchange period between the sale of the relinquished property and acquisition of the replacement property.
- Exchange Accommodation Services: Services include holding exchange funds, preparing exchange documentation, coordinating with escrow officers and attorneys, and ensuring compliance with IRS 45-day and 180-day timelines.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Quote-based Qualified Intermediary services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Starker Services product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Starker Services operates as a Qualified Intermediary (QI) firm that facilitates IRC Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges for real estate investors. The company holds exchange proceeds in segregated FDIC-insured accounts during the 45-day identification and 180-day completion periods, prepares all required exchange documentation, and provides consultation on exchange strategies including simultaneous, delayed, reverse, improvement/construction, and multi-property exchanges.
Product overview
Starker Services is a specialized financial services company operating as a Qualified Intermediary (QI) for IRC Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. The company offers a unified service platform centered on facilitating tax-deferred property exchanges, supported by six core service modules: Qualified Intermediary Services, 1031 Exchange Consultation, Replacement Property Identification, 1031 Exchange Documentation, Tax Deferral Strategies, and Education and Training Resources. Additionally, the company provides specialized exchange types including Simultaneous, Delayed, Improvement/Construction, Reverse, and Multi-Property/Multi-Party Exchanges. Supporting tools include a 45/180 Day Calculator. The company serves real estate investors, tax professionals, attorneys, escrow officers, and real estate agents. Founded in 1987 following the landmark Starker tax court decision, it is positioned as the nation's oldest and largest independently-owned Qualified Intermediary, having facilitated over 250,000 successful exchanges.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Qualified Intermediary Services Trusted intermediary services that manage and oversee 1031 exchange transactions, including holding exchange funds in segregated accounts and facilitating property transfers on behalf of real estate investors.
- 1031 Exchange Consultation
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 250,000 successful 1031 exchanges completed
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Starker Services
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Starker Services technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Starker Services partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Bridge BankcoreBridge Bank serves as the primary banking institution for holding client exchange funds. The bank meets stringent requirements including FDIC-insured accounts, individual account numbers for each exchange, and requires notarized signatures and two corporate officer signatures for fund transfers. Senior Vice President Jeff Whalen provides quotes confirming the security protocols.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Starker Services competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- IPX1031: One of the largest Qualified Intermediary firms in the U.S., offering delayed, reverse, and improvement 1031 exchanges. Direct competitor to Starker with national coverage and similar professional-referral GTM.
- First American Exchange Company: Qualified Intermediary subsidiary of First American Financial Corporation, offering 1031 exchange services integrated with the parent title and escrow business. Direct peer with broader balance-sheet backing.
- Equity Trust Company: National Qualified Intermediary and custodian offering 1031 exchange services, self-directed IRAs, and alternative-asset custody. Direct competitor to Starker in the QI segment with similar multi-channel professional referral model.
- Asset Preservation, Inc. Specialized Qualified Intermediary providing 1031 exchange accommodation services nationwide. Comparable to Starker in core offering, fee model, and reliance on CPA/attorney/agent referrals.
- Chicago Deferred Exchange Corp. Mid-size independent Qualified Intermediary focused on delayed and reverse 1031 exchanges, serving investors and advisors in the Midwest and nationwide. Comparable service model and professional-referral GTM to Starker.
- Accommodator Services Co. Independent Qualified Intermediary firm facilitating 1031 exchanges including reverse and improvement structures. Comparable scale and service breadth to Starker, operating primarily through professional referral networks.
Broad incumbents
- WFG National Title Insurance Company: Large national title insurance and escrow provider that supports 1031 exchange closings and offers QI-adjacent services. Comparable through the closing/escrow workflow Starker's clients use, though not a pure-play QI.
- Old Republic National Title Insurance Company: Major title insurer with national escrow capacity that interfaces with Qualified Intermediaries on exchange closings. Overlapping ecosystem player rather than a pure QI competitor.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Starker Services social profiles
Digital presenceStarker Services compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Starker Services financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Starker Services leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Starker Services funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Starker Services 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 Starker Services
What does Starker Services do?
Starker Services operates as a Qualified Intermediary (QI) firm that facilitates IRC Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges for real estate investors. The company holds exchange proceeds in segregated FDIC-insured accounts during the 45-day identification and 180-day completion periods, prepares all required exchange documentation, and provides consultation on exchange strategies including simultaneous, delayed, reverse, improvement/construction, and multi-property exchanges.
Is Starker Services a public or private company?
Starker Services is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Starker Services founded?
Starker Services was founded in 1987. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Starker Services based?
Starker Services is headquartered in Los Gatos, United States, in the North America region.
How does Starker Services make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Qualified Intermediary Services Fees are the primary driver. The others are exchange Accommodation Services.
Who are Starker Services's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are IPX1031, First American Exchange Company, Equity Trust Company, Asset Preservation, Inc., Chicago Deferred Exchange Corp. and Accommodator Services Co.. Broad incumbents are WFG National Title Insurance Company and Old Republic National Title Insurance Company.
Does Starker Services have an API?
No public API is recorded for Starker Services.
What industry is Starker Services in?
Starker Services's product category is Qualified Intermediary / Tax-Deferred Exchange Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAJAOAL, 1031 Exchange Intermediary Services, with a secondary code of BPAJAOAH, Closing Coordination & Transaction Management (Broker/Agent Support). Its NAICS code is 541191 and its SIC code is 6531.