Steve Baird

President, CEO, Baird & Warner

Chicago’s largest independent brokerage is facing consolidation in the industry as national firms increasingly squeeze out — or gobble up — local shops. Baird is leading the way.

After Baird’s major local competitor, @properties, was bought by Compass, the fifth-generation leader of Baird & Warner doubled down on a strategy of hyper-local dominance. Baird & Warner purchased Dream Town Real Estate in 2025, merging with a tech-focused competitor and cementing its spot as the dominant independent Chicago brokerage. 

As Compass increases its market share with its acquisition of Anywhere Real Estate, Baird & Warner is targeting the national behemoth explicitly, rolling out tech initiatives aimed at retaining top talent and recruiting Compass agents.

Baird joined the firm run by his father, John Baird, in the 1980s. He spent time in each department before taking over the commercial mortgage division. He became president of the company in 1991.

During the 1990s, Baird sold off the company’s commercial divisions to focus exclusively on residential brokerage and ancillary services like title and insurance.

While no succession plan is set, Baird, 73, said he wants to keep the company management in family hands. His daughter currently works at the company as its historian and head of its charitable arm, Good Will Works.

— Caleb McCullough