Our Story

In 1999, Lori Baker started her real estate career and quickly nabbed the "Rookie of the Year" title. Soon after, her daughter Alissa McNicholas followed in her footsteps. Come 2006, and the dynamic mother-daughter duo enhanced and expanded their team into the successful, respected group they are today.

For more than a decade now, Lori and Alissa have worked steadfastly to grow their business. Their client reach has grown significantly thanks to Alissa working within the school systems to connect with families. Having three young boys of her own made it easy for her to reach out to newcomers. Their clients value the depth of their network and expertise in every neighborhood and price point. Using their contacts and connections, the team often recognizes opportunities before they come to the market. 

Partnering with Compass to open their Lake Forest/Lake Bluff office has further elevated the group's services and capabilities. Thanks to the support they receive from Compass via industry-leading technology and cutting-edge marketing, Lori and Alissa were able to bring on a new team member in 2017. 

That team member was Peter Coutant, whom they recognized had a similar passion and unique, multifaceted skillset. Along with having years of municipal experience under his belt, Peter also has deep roots in Lake Forest and holds the esteemed position of the Historic Preservation Foundation President. He has a comprehensive understanding of everything from marketing to city ordinances and codes. Along with his unparalleled work ethic, Peter has the personable skills required to connect with clients and agents during showings and presentations.

Because each team member has a defined presence in the region as a local agent, they know the entire community like the back of their hand. That means they have a veritable wealth of knowledge concerning the history, people, homes, and attractions in each place.

Working with the Baker McNicholas Group, you can expect access to the team's vast, reputable network of homebuilders, contractors, and tradesmen. As a bonus, having three agents working for you means things get done faster, with each person working on a different task simultaneously. The group's combined 41 years of experience gives their clients the state-of-the-art service and creative vision needed to fulfill even the most challenging goals. 

In terms of marketing, the Baker McNicholas Group uses their complementary strengths to create an exceptional, best-in-class experience. Their marketing efforts go above and beyond when listing homes—high-end photography, drone footage, and local media coverage are just a few of their strategies. Alissa's background in social media and far-reaching audience are also fantastic assets to clients seeking an online presence. 

The Baker McNicholas Group has more than earned its status as a top-producing team in the community. Lori and Alissa’s collaborative and service-led approach have allowed them to become—and remain—a top internationally-ranked real estate group for over 15 years.