Jerry Baker
Founder, Managing Principal
About Jerry Baker
A Dual Perspective: From the Pavement to the Portfolio
Most institutional advisors see Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) investments as a spreadsheet. Jerry Baker sees it as a real estate investment.
Growing up in an entrepreneurial Michigan family, Jerry’s introduction to real estate wasn't in a boardroom, but on the sites of the industrial properties his family owned, managed, and developed. He spent his formative years shoveling snow, sweeping parking lots, and performing hands-on repairs for tenants. This "boots on the ground" upbringing instilled a fundamental understanding of property operations and the practical needs of tenants—a perspective that remains the bedrock of his advisory work today.
Wall Street Precision & Quantitative Strategy
After mastering the physical side of the industry, Jerry transitioned to the analytical side of high-finance. He spent his career on Wall Street, where he was directly involved in more than $10 billion in real estate transactions spanning global portfolios, private equity, and hedge funds.
Jerry’s approach is backed by rigorous technical training. He holds a dual degree from Babson College in Computational and Mathematical Finance and Business Analytics. By applying advanced applied statistics and mathematical modeling to real estate, he provides his clients with a level of risk-mitigation and data-driven clarity that is rare in the real estate and 1031 DST investment spaces.
The Baker 1031 Mission
In founding Baker 1031 Investments, Jerry’s goal was to bridge the gap between institutional-quality assets and the individual investor. He recognized that while many advisors understand the "securities" side of a Delaware Statutory Trust, few truly understand the underlying real estate.
To date, Jerry has worked with over 250,000 real estate investors to provide education and transaction support. He specializes in helping families navigate the complexities of 1031 Exchanges and the IRS Revenue Ruling 2004-86, ensuring they can preserve and grow their wealth through passive, institutional-grade solutions.