Steve Salinas is a 36-year veteran of the residential real estate industry and a cornerstone of the Compass launch in Southern California, serving as the founding employee and first hire for the San Diego region. His career is defined by senior sales leadership and a national reputation for attracting and leading elite talent across Michigan, Connecticut, Colorado, and California. Between 2001 and 2018, Steve spent 17 years in sales management within the NRT (Coldwell Banker) network. His career also includes a significant tenure as the Director of Sales for McStain Neighborhoods, one of Colorado’s most prestigious and visionary builders. At McStain—nationally recognized as a LEED-certified pioneer and one of only four environmentally friendly builders for sustainability—Steve gained deep expertise in new home sales and large-scale development. This rare background provides him with a unique 360-degree perspective that bridges the gap between high-volume resale and the strategic complexities of the development world. Known as a "Whale Hunter" for his ability to identify and secure top-tier performers, Steve’s track record includes the recruitment of Karen Bernardi (formerly the #1 agent in the world for RE/MAX), the #1 agent in the state of Colorado, and the state’s #1 producing RE/MAX team. From securing the top agent in the Cheshire market from William Raveis to his leadership roles in Michigan, Steve has consistently leveraged his deep market relationships to build high-performance offices. With over six years in Keller Williams leadership and 17 years in sales management with NRT, Steve offers a seasoned, macro-view of the industry’s evolution. A recipient of the NRT Distinguished Achievement Award, he currently serves as Senior Sales Manager for Compass in the Encinitas and Cardiff-by-the-Sea markets, where he works closely with strategic growth teams to scale the region's elite agent count.
