When Sandra Sanders opened her real estate office in 1985, she did not realize it would lead to the reshaping of an industry. At a time when few women led brokerages, she broke barriers with a blend of Southern grace, strong business instincts, and an unshakable calm under pressure. What she built wasn’t just a company—it was a legacy rooted in trust, family, and a deep connection to the South Bay community.
Today, that legacy lives on with her children—James (CEO), Diane (CMO), and John (CTO)—who have grown the business from a local fixture into a global presence. In January, the company rebranded as Estate Properties and became an independent brokerage. "Launching as an independent brokerage allows us to embrace innovation while staying true to our values," said James. "This agility ensures we remain ahead in a changing market while continuing to prioritize the needs of agents and clients.” It’s a new era as Estate Properties focuses on luxury and international reach, all while staying firmly rooted in our community.
Estate Properties is not just a real estate office but also a champion for good in the South Bay community. “We’ve grown up in this area,” explained Diane. “We know every street. We know every school. Our kids have gone to all the schools. We really focus on giving back.” That commitment is evident, from sponsoring the Redondo Beach Super Bowl Sunday 10K to supporting the Norris Theatre in Palos Verdes, where generations of their children have performed. The Sanders family is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of the South Bay.
While Estate Properties has kept its small-town heart, its reach is now global. The company joined Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, a network of top-tier independent brokerages spanning 70 countries. “We had to apply to be a part of this very elite network,” Diane explained. “They take the top brokerages from cities around the world including Berlin, Paris, and New York.” This partnership gives Estate Properties’ clients access to top-tier agents around the world—whether you're relocating, investing, or searching for your forever home.
Yet, for all the cutting-edge tools and international prestige, the culture remains deeply personal. “Everybody has our cell number,” said Diane. “We know our agents’ dogs’ names. We know where they went on vacation. We really do know everybody and we care.”
Much of that culture was forged by Sandra, Founder/Chairman of the Board, who still keeps a sign in her bathroom that reads: You get up. You dress up. You show up—no matter what. Her children carry that mantra with them, wearing multiple hats to keep the business thriving. James, for example, isn’t just the CEO—he’s also been known to fix plumbing issues around the office. “Nothing’s beneath us,” added Diane. “We do whatever it takes.”
Under John’s leadership as CTO, Estate Properties has invested in advanced technology to streamline everything from lead generation to market analysis. A cutting-edge in-house studio hosts weekly hybrid training sessions for 250+ agents across Southern California, with Blackmagic Cameras, Zoom integration, and professional editing services.
"Our agents are the foundation of everything we do," said Diane. "When our agents succeed, our clients benefit.” That mission is supported through robust back-end systems, ongoing training, legal and tech hotlines, and a culture that celebrates performance with events, awards, and even pickleball tournaments. “Real estate agents are fun people by nature and they’re hard-working so we like to have fun, be successful and help families with their American dream of home ownership and transitioning through life,” explained James.
Even as their company expands across the globe, the Sanders family remains grounded in the community where Sandra got her start. James enjoys fishing with friends and cycling through Palos Verdes at sunrise. Diane loves the energy of the Riviera Village and John enjoys competing in triathlons. Their lives are not just based in the community—they are the community.
And at the heart of it all is Sandra.
“If you were to ask my mother what were the big highlights of her career,” reflected Diane, “she’d say, ‘God gave me the ability to help others and that means helping others in finding a home but more important than that, helping these agents to have really good lives by selling real estate.’”
In an industry often defined by transactions, Estates Properties is building something far more enduring: a legacy of connection, service, and trust. Just as the keyhole in their new logo thoughtfully symbolizes, they’re not just unlocking doors. They’re unlocking futures.
We’ve grown up in this area. We know every street. We know every school.
Our agents are the foundation of everything we do. When our agents succeed, our clients benefit.