ABOUT US

REAL ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION and PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Proud to deliver Real Estate, Construction and Property Management Services to Michigan Businesses for over 50 years!

Jerry Baker with his wife, Claire, and sons Jeff and Craig at the company’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.

When Jerry Baker founded First Real Estate in 1968, he made the transition from selling residential homes to commercial real estate.  Jerry saw the need and opportunity in land development and began developing much of the land around the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. In the years that followed, First Companies continued to construct many buildings for industrial/manufacturing businesses desiring to locate in that area.

To better control the quality and timing of projects for his clients, Jerry expanded his business to include construction management. Jerry built spec buildings in addition to projects for individual clients and investment groups, helping to secure tenants for available space, as needed. He also offered property management services to new building owners and their tenants after construction was complete to ensure the offices were well-maintained long-term.

In 1994, First Real Estate became First Companies to better communicate the full suite of real estate, construction, development and property management services the company offered.  In the late 1980s, Jerry’s sons Jeff and Craig joined the company, taking over the business in 2005 as Jerry began to enjoy retirement.  The transition was well-planned and went very smoothly with Jeff heading up the real estate group while Craig led the construction team.

In 2018, we CELEBRATED 50 YEARS OF SERVICE and are grateful for the many wonderful clients we’ve worked with over the years, as well as the subcontractors and business partners who have been an extension of our team.  First Companies is proud to continue the legacy of Jerry Baker and looks forward to meeting the space needs of our customers today and into the future.