Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services

What Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services does

Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services (legal entity: Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Securities Ltd; also operating as DST Properties) is a private U.S. broker-dealer intermediary that curates and distributes tax-advantaged private placement real estate offerings to accredited investors. The firm's core offering suite centers on Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) investments structured for IRC Section 1031 like-kind exchanges, supplemented by Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) offerings, Private REITs, Real Estate Funds, and NNN-leased properties. As of 2023, the active catalog comprised 40 DSTs, 10 Opportunity Zones, 5 Real Estate Funds, and 7 REITs, with cumulative placement experience exceeding $5 billion across DSTs, QOZ, and alternative investments. Securities are distributed through WealthForge Securities, LLC, a FINRA/SIPC member broker-dealer (disclosed as non-affiliated with Cornerstone).

The company operates coast-to-coast via three regional offices (Orange, CA as West Coast headquarters; Prosper, TX as Central USA; and Gainesville, VA as East Coast) staffed by FINRA BrokerCheck-verified registered representatives who deliver one-on-one consulting to clients. Its technology stack includes a proprietary portfolio diversification software tool that performs tax basis calculation, 10-year performance tracking, and personalized strategic planning across DST holdings, alongside an Investor Portal at portal.dstproperties1031.com and an educational content platform called the Learning Corner. Minimum investments are $100,000 for 1031 exchange participants and $25,000 for non-exchange accredited investors.

The revenue model is transaction-fee based: the firm earns selling commissions and placement fees on private placement offerings, with all selling expenses underwritten into the offering sales price so there is no additional cost to clients. Distribution is sales-led, supported by content marketing (Learning Corner), earned media features (Bloomberg, CNBC, Fox News, NBC Nightly News), and curated sponsor due diligence intended to differentiate the firm on quality rather than volume of offerings.

Name

Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services

Legal name

Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Securities Ltd

Website

https://dstproperties1031.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services is a private U.S. broker-dealer intermediary that curates and distributes DST, QOZ, REIT, and real estate fund private placements to accredited investors seeking 1031 exchange and tax-deferred real estate exposure, operating through three regional offices and WealthForge Securities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Real Estate Investment Brokerage

NAICS

Miscellaneous Intermediation (523910), Portfolio Management and Investment Advice (523940), Other Financial Vehicles (52599)

SIC

Security Brokers, Dealers & Flotation Companies (6211), Investment Advice (6282)

akta.pro primary industry

Real Estate Capital Markets Brokerage (Debt & Equity Placement) (FSAEAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Real Estate Capital Markets Advisory (Debt/Equity Placement, Refinancing) (BPAJANAE), Institutional Capital Introduction (LP/Family Office/Endowment Matching) (FSAEALAI)

Keywords

• 1031 exchange investments
• Delaware statutory trusts
• Private placement securities
• Opportunity zone investments
• Alternative real estate brokerage

Headquarters

HQ city

Orange

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Private Placement Securities Sales: The company facilitates DST, QOZ, REIT, and real estate fund offerings as a broker-dealer intermediary. Securities are sold through WealthForge Securities, LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC). All selling expenses are underwritten into the offering sales price, with services provided at no additional cost to clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services is a broker-dealer intermediary that curates and distributes tax-advantaged alternative real estate private placement securities — primarily Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), 1031 exchange replacement properties, Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) offerings, Private REITs, and Real Estate Funds — to accredited investors. It pairs curated deal flow with one-on-one consulting, four-stage sponsor due diligence, and a proprietary diversification software tool, with all selling expenses underwritten into the offering price so there is no additional cost to clients.

Product overview

Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services operates as a unified investment platform offering multiple real estate investment products centered around tax-advantaged 1031 exchange strategies. The core portfolio includes Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) investments, 1031 exchange properties, Opportunity Zone investments, Private REITs, and Real Estate Funds. The platform provides access to 40 DST properties, 10 Opportunity Zones, 5 Real Estate Funds, and 7 REITs. Services are delivered through an Investor Portal with accompanying educational resources through the Learning Corner. All offerings are private placement investments available exclusively to accredited investors and are structured to comply with SEC regulations under the 1933 Securities Act.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) Investments Fractional ownership in institutional-grade real estate assets structured as Delaware Statutory Trusts, enabling accredited investors to access larger properties with tax-deferral benefits via 1031 exchange.
• 1031 Exchange Properties Investment properties that qualify as like-kind replacement properties under IRC Section 1031, allowing investors to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting proceeds from sold investment property.
• Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) Investments Qualified Opportunity Zone offerings that provide tax advantages for investors seeking to defer and reduce capital gains taxes through investment in designated economic empowerment zones.
• Private REITs Private Real Estate Investment Trusts available exclusively to accredited investors, offering diversified exposure to income-producing real estate without public market volatility.
• Real Estate Funds Pooled investment vehicles structured as Limited Partnerships or LLCs that invest in various real estate opportunities including distressed assets, debt, development, and oil & gas, typically targeting $100 million or more in capital raises.
• NNN Leased Properties Triple-net leased properties where tenants are responsible for utilities, maintenance, insurance, property taxes, and structural aspects, offering passive real estate investment with steady cash flow.
• Investor Portal Online investor portal enabling accredited investors to access property listings, view offerings, manage accounts, and review investment documentation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $5 billion in DSTs, QOZ, and Alternative Investments experienced
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• WealthForge Securities, LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSecurities for Cornerstone's DST and alternative real estate offerings are distributed through WealthForge Securities, LLC, a FINRA member broker-dealer and SIPC member. This is the primary distribution channel for securities offerings. WealthForge Securities, LLC and Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services are not affiliated entities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• CrowdStreet: CrowdStreet is an online private real estate marketplace offering sponsors direct access to accredited investors. While it does not focus exclusively on DSTs, it competes for capital allocation within the same accredited investor pool.
• Fundrise: Fundrise is a digital alternative-investment platform offering private real estate to accredited and non-accredited investors. It is an emerging disruptive competitor that could disintermediate traditional sales-led placement agents like Cornerstone.
• RealtyMogul: RealtyMogul is an online platform offering private placement real estate to accredited investors, including 1031-eligible products. It represents an emerging digital distribution channel competing for the same investor base.

Direct peers

• Inland Real Estate Group: Inland is one of the largest sponsors and distributors of DST and 1031 offerings through Inland Securities. It is a comparable peer given its focus on private placement real estate securities for the same accredited investor base.
• Bluerock Capital Group: Bluerock is a leading DST sponsor and syndicator that distributes through affiliated broker-dealers. It competes head-to-head with Cornerstone for accredited investor capital flowing into 1031-eligible real estate products.
• Passco Companies: Passco is a DST sponsor and placement agent for multifamily and commercial real estate. Like Cornerstone, it curates sponsor offerings and distributes to accredited investors seeking 1031 replacement properties.
• ExchangeRight: ExchangeRight specializes in net-leased and diversified DST offerings for 1031 exchanges. It is a direct comparable in the curated DST placement category with overlapping sponsor relationships.
• Capital Square: Capital Square is a direct competitor that sponsors and places DST and 1031 exchange offerings. Both firms operate as intermediary placement agents curating institutional-grade real estate for accredited investors via FINRA-member broker-dealers.
• Lightstone Group: Lightstone is a major DST and Opportunity Zone sponsor offering 1031-eligible products. It competes with Cornerstone for the same pool of high-net-worth investors executing like-kind exchanges.
• CNL Securities: CNL Securities is a FINRA-member broker-dealer that places private placement real estate securities including DSTs. It operates a similar distribution model to Cornerstone's WealthForge relationship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/corner-stone-real-estate-investment-services

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cornerstone Real Estate Investment Services