SunTrust Homes Real Estate

What SunTrust Homes Real Estate does

SunTrust Homes Real Estate is a privately held, dual-licensed real estate brokerage and mortgage banking firm headquartered in San Diego, California, founded in 1999 by Steven Sakofsky. The company operates as a broker and direct mortgage lender, providing integrated buyer representation, seller representation, and in-house loan origination for residential and select commercial properties across San Diego County. Its headcount is small (1-10 employees, with six named team members), and the founder serves as the principal client-facing representative across both real estate and mortgage functions.

The core offering pairs traditional real estate brokerage services (listing, buyer search, negotiation, closing coordination) with a mortgage-banking operation that funds loans directly and sources execution from multiple competing investors to secure favorable rates. Loan products span conventional (Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac), FHA, VA, non-QM, HELOCs, fixed second mortgages, and commercial financing. Supporting services include Certified Probate Specialist work for inherited properties, virtual staging, home improvement assistance, and digital tools such as a mortgage calculator, CloudCMA-powered instant home value reports, and Altos Research market reports. The technology stack is entirely third-party — no proprietary platform is disclosed — integrating CloudCMA, Altos Research, CRMLS, Property Panorama, Vimeo, YouTube, Aryeo, GoHighLevel, and Google services.

The business model is transaction-fee based: revenue comes from real estate commissions on closed sale transactions and mortgage origination fees/interest-rate spread on self-funded loans. Client acquisition relies heavily on referrals from financial planners and estate planners, supplemented by Google search advertising, paid social (Facebook/Instagram), email marketing, MLS listings, and open houses. Customer segments are primarily individual home buyers, home sellers, and mortgage borrowers in San Diego County, with a secondary segment of real estate investors. Long-tenured client relationships (20-25 years per multiple testimonials) indicate strong retention, and the franchise operates as a relationship-driven, owner-operated boutique with no institutional capital, no subsidiaries, and no disclosed M&A activity.

Name

SunTrust Homes Real Estate

Legal name

SunTrust Homes Real Estate

Website

https://sdhomeandloan.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

SunTrust Homes Real Estate is a San Diego-based, dual-licensed real estate brokerage and direct mortgage lender founded in 1999, serving home buyers, sellers, and mortgage borrowers across San Diego County through an integrated single-contact model led by founder Steven Sakofsky.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Real Estate and Mortgage Brokerage

NAICS

Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers (5312)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Mortgage Bankers & Loan Correspondents (6162)

akta.pro primary industry

Luxury & High-End Residential Brokerage (BPAJAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Purchase Mortgage Origination (Homebuyer Focused) (FSALAAAD), Residential Investment Property Brokerage (SFR/Small Multifamily) (BPAJAAAE)

Keywords

• Residential real estate brokerage
• Mortgage loan origination
• Home equity lending
• Property sales services
• Refinance loan services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Real Estate Sales Commission: Revenue generated from buyer and seller representation in residential real estate transactions in San Diego County. Commissions are earned on completed sales transactions.
2. Mortgage Lending: As a mortgage banker, the company funds loans directly and earns origination fees. They work with multiple investors who compete for business, allowing them to shop for best rates and terms for clients. Revenue comes from loan origination fees and rate differentials.
3. Professional Services: Additional services including home staging assistance, home improvement guidance, and transaction coordination. Revenue from service fees related to these ancillary services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

SunTrust Homes Real Estate operates a dual-license residential real estate brokerage and direct mortgage bank serving San Diego County. The firm provides buyer and seller representation across coastal and inland San Diego submarkets and funds residential mortgages in-house, including Conventional, FHA, VA, Non-QM, HELOC, fixed second mortgages, refinance, and select commercial loans, all coordinated through a single principal point of contact.

Product overview

SunTrust Homes Real Estate operates as a dual-service real estate brokerage and mortgage banking firm, offering integrated home buying, selling, and financing services through a single-contact model. The core offerings include buyer/seller representation for San Diego residential properties (Buy a Home, Sell a Home) paired with in-house mortgage banking capabilities covering conventional, FHA, VA, non-QM, HELOC, and commercial loan products. Supporting digital tools include a Mortgage Calculator, CloudCMA-powered instant home value reports, Altos Research market data, virtual staging services, and a before/after home improvement gallery. The company also provides specialized services including Certified Probate Specialist assistance for inherited properties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Home Buying Services Full-service buyer representation for purchasing residential properties in San Diego County, including listing search, expert local advice, offer preparation, negotiation, and closing coordination for first-time buyers through forever-home upgraders.
• Home Selling Services Strategic marketing, expert pricing, negotiation, and closing services to help San Diego County homeowners sell primary residences, rental properties, or inherited properties quickly and at maximum return.
• Conventional Mortgage Loans Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conforming mortgage loans with competitive interest rates, flexible down payments, and standardized underwriting available through in-house direct funding.
• FHA Loans Federal Housing Administration mortgages with low down payments (as low as 3.5%), more lenient credit requirements, and assumable mortgage options for first-time and lower-down-payment buyers.
• VA Loans Veterans Affairs loans offering no down payment requirement, competitive interest rates, no private mortgage insurance, and flexible credit requirements for eligible service members and veterans.
• Non-QM Mortgage Loans Alternative non-conforming mortgage options for self-employed borrowers, freelancers, investors, and other applicants with non-traditional financial profiles who do not qualify for conventional agency financing.
• HELOC and Fixed Second Mortgage Loans Home equity lines of credit and fixed-rate second mortgages allowing homeowners to access existing property equity for liquidity, debt consolidation, or other financial needs.
• Commercial Loans Financing for commercial properties including office buildings, retail centers, industrial properties, multifamily housing, hotels, healthcare facilities, and land acquisition for small-business and investor borrowers.
• Mortgage Refinance Services Mortgage refinancing solutions including rate-and-term refinances, cash-out refinance loans, and streamlined programs such as FHA Streamline and VA IRRRL for existing homeowners seeking better terms or equity access.
• Virtual Home Staging Service Virtual staging service applied to townhomes, condos, and single-family listings to digitally furnish vacant properties, helping prospective buyers visualize furnished spaces.
• Home Improvement Assistance Service Hands-on guidance for sellers preparing their home for market, ranging from small decluttering tasks to major remodel recommendations intended to maximize sale price.
• Certified Probate Specialist Service Specialized real estate representation for inherited properties and probate sales, including coordination with estate planners and out-of-state heirs disposing of San Diego County estate properties.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Financial Planners and Estate Planners (Referral Network)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerExtensive referral network of financial planners and estate planners who refer clients to SunTrust Homes for real estate and mortgage services. Multiple testimonials reference being referred by financial advisors, indicating this is a primary lead generation channel.
• CRMLS (California Regional Multiple Listing Service)coreTechnology or IntegrationProperty listings are published to CRMLS, making them accessible to the vast network of real estate professionals in California. All marketing materials are made available to every agent through the listing.
• Multiple Mortgage InvestorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a mortgage banker, SunTrust works with multiple competing investors under Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and other guidelines. These investors compete for the company's business, enabling the company to shop for the best rates and terms for clients.
• Trusted LenderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe company partners with trusted lenders to provide a variety of mortgage options including FHA, VA, and jumbo loans. This partnership extends the company's lending capabilities beyond in-house offerings.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Redfin: Tech-first residential brokerage with an in-house mortgage operation (Redfin Home Mortgage); most directly comparable because of the integrated real estate plus mortgage stack and California market presence.
• Compass: Tech-enabled residential real estate brokerage operating across major U.S. metros including California; directly competes for the same agent talent, listings, and buyer/seller relationships in the San Diego market.
• eXp Realty: Cloud-based residential brokerage with a virtual agent model active in California; competes for the same pool of independent agents and offers a similarly low-overhead brokerage alternative.
• Fairway Independent Mortgage: Independent retail mortgage banker active across the U.S. including California; comparable business model focused on in-house origination and shopping loans across multiple investors for best pricing.

Emerging players

• HomeLight: Real estate marketplace and concierge platform that connects consumers to top agents and lenders; comparable as a tech-enabled channel competing for the same referral-driven lead flow.

Broad incumbents

• Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices: Large national brokerage network with established San Diego affiliates; competes in the same residential resale and luxury coastal segments with a premium parent brand.
• LoanDepot: Large national retail mortgage lender with California operations; comparable on the mortgage banking side of SunTrust's business, especially for purchase and refinance origination volume.
• Coldwell Banker: Established national residential brokerage franchise with strong presence in San Diego County; competes for the same listings and buyer/seller relationships under a recognized consumer brand.

Regional players

• Guild Mortgage: California-headquartered retail mortgage lender offering conventional, FHA, VA, and non-QM products; directly comparable for the in-house mortgage banking capabilities that SunTrust markets.
• Pacific Sotheby's International Realty: San Diego-focused luxury brokerage affiliated with Sotheby's International Realty; directly comparable for high-end coastal listings in Cardiff, Del Mar, La Jolla, and similar North County submarkets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ssakofsky
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/suntrust-homes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 SunTrust Homes Real Estate