Independent escrow • West Los Angeles • Since 2005

Concierge escrow for the Westside’s most important transactions.

Sterling West Escrow is an independent, concierge-level escrow company led by founder Desiree Goodman — dedicated to bringing uncompromised excellence to every escrow transaction.

Over 25 years serving Malibu, Beverly Hills, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Culver City & West LA.

  • Independent & California-licensed
  • A 100% neutral third party
  • Transparent, published fees
  • Concierge-level service

Why independent matters

Whose side is your escrow company really on?

In California you have a choice. Only an independent escrow company is a 100% neutral third party — with no parent company, broker, lender, or title arm to answer to. It’s a distinction worth noting, because it can affect your transaction in ways that matter.

Affiliate escrow

Owned by a larger brokerage, lender, or title company — and works for that parent company first.

Sterling West — independent

Works for you. We are an independent escrow company and have been since our inception in 2005. Our only concern is to monitor your transaction and safeguard the trust account funds.

Concierge level, at the helm

Founded and run by Desiree Goodman.

With over 25 years serving the real estate communities of the Westside, Sterling West prides itself on being an independent, concierge-level escrow company with its accomplished and respected founder, Desiree Goodman, at the helm.

Her business model is built on unparalleled service and commitment to the real estate community — clear, straightforward guidance delivered with integrity, respect, and the highest level of ethical conduct, on every single transaction.

Desiree Goodman

FOUNDER, STERLING WEST ESCROW

Desiree Goodman, founder of Sterling West Escrow, at her West Los Angeles office
The Sterling West Escrow team
The Sterling West Escrow team — experienced officers who keep every party informed at all times.

Who we serve

One neutral partner for every side of the deal.

Buyers and sellers, realtors, and lenders — each handled by experienced escrow officers who keep everyone informed at every step.

Buyers & sellers

An escrow account guarantees you get what you pay for, with the terms of the transaction held to and your funds and documents safeguarded until every condition is met.

How escrow protects you →

Realtors & agents

A reputable, responsive escrow company you can confidently recommend — easily reachable officers who work to comply with every sale condition inside the contract’s timeline.

Escrow for agents →

Lenders

The assurance that no funds or property change hands until every instruction is followed — transactions handled quickly, efficiently, and in close coordination with your loan team.

Escrow for lenders →

What is escrow?

Your neutral middleman between two parties.

Escrow can make or break one of the most important financial transactions of your life — and it can be complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Think of escrow as the neutral zone between two parties during a real estate transaction.

An escrow company holds the deeds, documents, and money on behalf of both sides, guides everyone through the details, then releases everything only once all obligations have been met — and records the paperwork so the new ownership is recognized.

Read the full guide
Diagram showing Sterling West Escrow as the neutral center connecting buyer, seller, agents, lender, title company and mortgage broker

Pricing, closing costs & more

Honest fees, out in the open.

Getting an accurate cost comparison from one escrow company to the next shouldn’t feel like guarding a secret recipe. So here is exactly how we charge.

Base rate (per transaction)$300
Per $1,000 of final sales price$2.00
Minimum escrow fee$2,000
Example: on an $800,000 sale, the escrow fee is $1,900 per party. Some escrows also involve loan tie-in fees, and all transactions incur closing costs — additional fees may apply case by case. Contact us for an estimate of your actual costs.
Get your estimate

What others are saying

Knowledgeable. Responsive. Trusted.

“I just closed an escrow with Sherri. After 25 years in this crazy business, Sherri has it all together. Given any opportunity, she will always be my choice. Calm, thorough and knowledgeable.”

RealtorClosed with Sterling West Escrow

“In the last ten years of buying and selling properties I’ve had contact with so many escrow companies, and I found you and your personnel to be very kind and professional. You built a company that everybody desires to work with.”

Grisha L.Murrieta, CA

“Thank you for shepherding us through this very short and demanding escrow. We appreciate your knowledge and speed in this deal, and hope to work with you on another.”

Liz & SteveSterling West clients

“I always designate my Sterling West officer on all my deals, be they on behalf of buyers or sellers — very professional, reliable, and unflappable, even when dealing with difficult situations.”

Ruth LubanRealtor

Proud to support The Clare Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Open an escrow

Ready when you are.

Call, email, or stop by the office on Wilshire. We’ll give you clear, straightforward guidance from the very first conversation.

(310) 696-0192 dgoodman@sterlingwestescrow.com
12100 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Mon–Fri, by appointment welcome
Call Open an escrow