What I Wish I Had Known at 25—And Why Real Estate Became My Answer
- teresa90643
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
By: Teresa Loos-Tedrow | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group
For nearly three decades, I built a successful career in radio sales. I built relationships, helped businesses grow, and learned lessons about leadership, communication, and perseverance that still serve me today.
It was a career I truly enjoyed.
But over time, I began asking myself an important question:
Would my career alone create the financial future I envisioned for myself and my family?
The answer led me on an entirely new journey—one that ultimately inspired the creation of Next Legacy Group.
Success Doesn't Always Equal Financial Freedom
Like many professionals, I believed that working harder would naturally lead to greater financial security.
While my career provided stability and fulfillment, I realized I was still trading my time for income.
As the media industry evolved, I started thinking differently about wealth—not just earning it, but building it.
I wanted investments that could continue working long after I finished my workday.
That search eventually introduced me to real estate.
Lessons from Entrepreneurship
Before fully committing to real estate investing, I invested in two restaurant franchises while also purchasing my first single-family rental properties.
Owning restaurants taught me valuable lessons about leadership, operations, and resilience.
But it also revealed something unexpected.
The restaurants required my constant attention.
The rental properties quietly generated income.
One depended on my time.
The other depended on the asset.
That contrast completely changed how I thought about building wealth.
It's Never Too Late to Change Your Financial Future
After selling the restaurants, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about investing.
Podcasts became my classroom.
Books became my mentors.
Conversations with experienced investors expanded my perspective.
I wasn't in my twenties.
I wasn't even in my thirties.
I was in my fifties.
Like many people, I wondered whether I had waited too long.
Fortunately, I discovered something far more encouraging:
The best time to start building wealth isn't determined by your age—it's determined by your decision to begin.
The Moment Multifamily Investing Changed Everything
During one podcast, I heard an investor explain that instead of purchasing one rental home at a time, they invested in apartment communities with hundreds of units.
That idea immediately resonated with me.
Multifamily investing offered something I had been searching for:
Greater scalability
Consistent cash flow potential
Long-term appreciation
Professional property management
Opportunities to build lasting wealth through strategic partnerships
It wasn't simply about owning more real estate.
It was about creating a smarter approach to investing.
That realization became the foundation for what would eventually become Next Legacy Group.
Why We Founded Next Legacy Group
Next Legacy Group was built on a simple belief:
Financial freedom should be accessible through education, strategic investing, and strong partnerships.
Together with my partners, we created a company dedicated to helping busy professionals, entrepreneurs, retirees, and accredited investors participate in multifamily real estate opportunities designed for long-term growth.
We believe investing should create more than financial returns.
It should create options.
It should create freedom.
Most importantly, it should create a legacy.
The Advice I'd Give My 25-Year-Old Self
If I had the opportunity to speak with my younger self today, I wouldn't tell her to abandon her career.
I'd tell her to continue building it.
But I'd also tell her this:
Don't let your career be your only investment.
Start learning about assets.
Start understanding passive income.
Start building wealth earlier than you think you need to.
The tools available today—podcasts, books, educational communities, mentors, and investment opportunities—make it easier than ever to begin.
Your Financial Journey Starts with One Decision.
One of the biggest misconceptions about investing is that you have to know everything before you begin.
You don't.
Every experienced investor started by asking questions, learning, and taking that first step.
Whether you're in your thirties, forties, fifties, or beyond, your opportunity to build long-term wealth is still in front of you.
The window is still open.
Continue Your Investment Journey
If you're interested in learning more about multifamily real estate investing and how passive investing can support your long-term financial goals, we'd love to help.
Explore Our Investment Philosophy
Download Our FREE Passive Investor Guide
Register for Our Weekly Investor Webinar
🎥 Learn directly from our team and discover how multifamily investing works.
About Teresa Loos-Tedrow
Teresa Loos-Tedrow is the co-founder of Next Legacy Group, a real estate investment firm focused on helping investors build long-term wealth through multifamily real estate.
She is also the owner of TeddyCo Properties and TeddyCo Media. Drawing on decades of experience in business, sales, marketing, and leadership.
Teresa is passionate about educating others on passive investing, financial freedom, and creating generational wealth.
Learn more about Teresa: https://iamteresaloostedrow.com
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