By: Jason Ottilo | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group March 13, 2026 It starts like this: a normal Tuesday, a coffee that’s trying its best, and an inbox full of optimism. A sponsor I know—smart, hardworking, and not new to the game—messages me: "The deal's under contract. We’re raising fast. It should be easy.” I read that sentence the way a pilot reads “minor engine light.” The phrase "should be easy" has the potential to cause chaos in the capital raising process. By lunch, the first investor replies roll in. Not the dramatic kind. No hostility. No drama. Just the calm, precise questions you get from someone who has lived through a market cycle and doesn’t want to pay tuition twice. How are you stress testing vacancy? What happens if rent growth is flat? Could you please walk me through the debt terms and extension risk? What’s the trigger where you shift from “plan” to “protect”? These aren’t gotcha questions. They’re the investor equivalent of checking the exits before takeoff. And that’s when you remember what capital raising really is. It isn’t selling. It’s reducing uncertainty. Why Capital Raising Feels Harder Today A few years ago, many investors would skim a pitch deck, nod, and wire funds because the assumption was simple: Multifamily always works. Today, that same investor is still interested—but they’ve upgraded their thinking. They’ve seen refinancing challenges. They've watched distributions slow down. They've learned that “conservative underwriting” isn’t a marketing phrase. It’s math. Investors today don’t invest because they’re excited. They invest because they’re clear. The Four Questions Every Investor Asks The sponsors who consistently raise capital today aren’t the ones with the flashiest presentations. They’re the ones who can answer four critical questions without hesitation: Why this strategy? Why now? Why you? What breaks first if things don’t go as planned? If those answers aren’t clear, investors rarely say no directly. They say something much more dangerous: “Keep me posted.” It sounds polite. But in investor language, it usually means the opportunity has moved into the “later” pile—where deals quietly disappear. Liquidity Has Changed Investor Behavior Another reality shaping today’s capital-raising environment is liquidity. Many investors still have wealth. But not always readily available capital. Private markets have taken longer to return cash recently, and when capital feels tied up, even experienced investors become selective. Timing matters more. Liquidity matters more. Confidence in the operator matters more. At the same time, the interest rate environment has changed how everyone thinks about deals. The old assumption—that rent growth solves everything—has weakened. Debt costs affect cash flow. Underwriting must be tighter. Investors are skeptical of projections that only work in perfect conditions. The real question investors ask today is not “Can this deal work if everything goes right? ” It’s, “Does this deal survive if a few things go wrong? ” Why Higher Standards Are Good for the Industry There’s actually a hidden benefit to this shift. Higher trust standards improve the industry. They push competence to the surface. They reward disciplined operators. They punish improvisation. Serious investors don’t want hype. They want calm competence. They want sponsors who can look directly at risk—not exaggerate it and not hide it—and explain how the strategy handles uncertainty. Ironically, the more honestly you discuss risk, the more confident investors become. Because “zero risk” isn’t reassuring. It’s suspicious. Investors don’t fear risk. They fear surprises. The Reality of Capital Raising Capital raising isn’t a single big moment. It’s a long sequence of smaller ones where trust is either earned or spent. Most raises don’t fail because the deal itself is bad. They fail in the space between initial interest and final commitment. That’s where investors: Request documents Send materials to their CPA Compare two opportunities Wait for liquidity Get distracted by life Fundraising often stalls because the investor experience lacks clarity or momentum. That’s also where the myth of the “perfect pitch deck” falls apart. No one wires $250,000 because of a beautiful slide. Investors commit because they’ve watched how you operate over time. They commit because they understand how you think. And because you’ve made the next step easy to take. Systems Beat Pitch Decks The most effective capital raisers don’t rely on moments. They build systems. They communicate consistently before they ever ask for capital. They educate investors without performing. They treat follow-up as the real work. Because it is. If you want the honest definition of capital raising in 2026, it’s this: A follow-up marathon disguised as networking. It looks like The first call The second call “Send me the documents.” “My CPA wants to review this.” “Circle back next week.” “I’m waiting on liquidity.” “I’m deciding between two deals.” Without a repeatable system, this process burns sponsors out. With a process, it becomes manageable—and relationships grow stronger over time. The Real Form of Scarcity Real scarcity in capital raising isn’t fake urgency. Investors can see through that immediately. Real scarcity is discipline. It’s saying no to deals that don’t meet standards. It has clear triggers that allow you to walk away. It’s refusing to depend on heroic assumptions. When investors sense that kind of discipline, something important happens. It feels like safety. It feels like leadership. And it builds the most valuable reputation in private markets: The operator who doesn’t surprise people. The Next Legacy Approach Yes, raising capital is harder today. But it’s harder in a way that filters out the unserious. Today’s market punishes vague investment theses, inconsistent communication, and deals that only work in perfect conditions. It rewards: Stress-tested underwriting Clear communication Disciplined operators At Next Legacy, our philosophy is simple. We don’t pitch investors like customers. We treat them like partners, ensuring they feel good about the decision five years from now. The goal isn’t to sell a dream. The goal is to create a decision environment where a serious investor can say: “I understand the strategy. I see the risks. I trust the operators. This investment fits my portfolio.” In today’s market, that’s what raises capital. Not hype. Not urgency. Not easy money. Just clarity, process, and follow-through—again and again—until trust becomes the thing you’re known for. About the Author/Jason Ottilo As co-founder of Next Legacy Group, Jason Ottilo works with investors focused on building long-term wealth through multifamily real estate. The firm is built on disciplined underwriting, clear risk transparency, and strong, long-term investor partnerships.

By: Tim Gramling Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group March 6, 2026 Anyone Can Build a Pitch Deck Anyone can build a clean pitch deck. Very few operators are willing to test their own assumptions. At The Haven in St. Louis, Missouri, due diligence has never been treated as a checklist. Instead, it has been an intentional effort to prove ourselves wrong. We walked units asking a simple question: “What fails first?” We studied work orders to identify patterns, not just totals. We opened electrical panels and examined systems that never appear in marketing materials. Because real verification rarely occurs on a spreadsheet. What a Property Reveals After Dark We also spent time near the property and walked it at night. Parking lots. Lighting. Noise. Activity. Who is coming and going. We experienced the true essence of the property after dark. Daytime tours can be deceiving. Night tells the truth. Listening to the Residents During inspections, we spoke with residents. Not formal interviews—just conversations. Questions like What works well here? What doesn’t? What would make you renew your lease? What feels neglected? You learn quickly that a property is not a spreadsheet. It is a living environment. Stress Testing the Numbers We also re-ran the numbers under stress. Higher vacancy Higher operating expenses Slower rent growth If returns only work in ideal conditions, that is not conservative underwriting. After walking every building, reviewing major systems, speaking with residents, and pressure-testing the financials, the asset continued to hold up under scrutiny. The Hard Truth About Due Diligence Due diligence should be uncomfortable. If it is not, you are probably avoiding something. There is also a point during due diligence where you must be willing to walk away. Time has been spent. Legal fees are accruing. Deposits are on the line. Ego is involved. If something does not hold up under scrutiny, discipline means adjusting the plan—or stepping back entirely. Where Capital Is Actually Protected Capital preservation is not passive. It requires restraint. For passive investors, this is where capital is truly protected. Not in projections. Not in webinars. But in: The quiet hours on site Verification Discipline Long-term returns are established before closing. And mistakes are usually made there too. Learn more about multifamily investing and join our educational webinar: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Hw8i2jeXTkm2z2OOwELAcQ#/registration

St. Louis doesn’t usually win the national hype contest. And honestly, that’s part of the appeal. If you’re trying to build long-term wealth in multifamily—real cash flow, durable demand, and sensible entry pricing—you don’t need a market that makes headlines. You need a market that keeps working when the economy is annoying, interest rates move, and people stop pretending every deal is “once-in-a-lifetime.” That’s the lens we use at Next Legacy Fund One: buy quality multifamily in places where residents stay for practical reasons—jobs, schools, commute, and livability—then improve the asset through a disciplined, execution-driven value-add plan. And that’s why we like St. Louis, and why we’re especially bullish on St. Louis County near Creve Coeur. Why St. Louis deserves a spot in your real estate portfolio Here’s the big idea: St. Louis can offer a better balance of price and income than many “hotter” markets. When that balance exists, properties have a simpler path to staying occupied and collecting rent. One of the cleanest data points investors can use is household income. Because income is what keeps rent paid when everything else gets more expensive. St. Louis County median household income is $82,936 (2020–2024, inflation-adjusted). That’s higher than the U.S. median of $80,734 over the same period and higher than Missouri’s median household income (which matters because it shows St. Louis County isn’t “average Missouri”). This matters because multifamily performance is a lot less mysterious than people make it. At the property level, stable outcomes usually come from: Residents who can afford the rent The neighborhoods they actually want to live in An operator who doesn’t fumble the basics St. Louis gives you a strong shot at the first two without paying “poster city pricing.” St. Louis vs. the rest of the country: what the rent data actually says We’re not going to cherry-pick a single statistic and call it a day. But it’s helpful to look at recent third-party multifamily reporting to see whether St. Louis has been holding up. According to Yardi Matrix’s St. Louis multifamily market report, advertised asking rents rose 2.1% year-over-year through August to $1,312 , while the U.S. increase was 0.7%  in that same comparison window. The report also notes stabilized occupancy at 93.4% in July , compared with 94.7% nationally . St. Louis has shown solid rent growth relative to the national pace in the referenced period, while maintaining occupancy that’s broadly in line with the country. That’s the kind of “steady but not flashy” profile that tends to perform well across cycles. Why we’re not just “buying St. Louis”—we’re buying St. Louis County Metro-level stats are useful, but they can hide the real story. In multifamily, the neighborhood is the business plan. St. Louis County stands out because it combines Strong incomes Well-established neighborhoods The school ecosystem that supports long-term residential demand Even the county-wide per capita income is meaningful: St. Louis County's per capita income is $51,977 (2020–2024, inflation-adjusted). If you’ve invested in multiple markets, you already know why this matters: better income fundamentals generally correlate with better renter stability, better collections, and fewer “surprises” when inflation shows up. Why we focus near Creve Coeur (and why this area is a big deal) Now let’s zoom in. Creve Coeur is a strong signal inside an already strong county. The income profile alone tells you what kind of household base you’re dealing with: Creve Coeur median household income is $127,188 (2020–2024, inflation-adjusted). That’s not a small difference. When you’re operating Class B multifamily, higher-area incomes can translate into: Lower delinquency pressure More stable occupancy The ability to support value-add rent increases when done responsibly (not “rip the rent and pray”) And because we’re talking about infill in St. Louis County, you’re not betting on growth “moving out there someday.” You’re buying in an area that already functions as a mature, livable job-and-family corridor. Schools: the demand anchor investors underestimate Here’s something we’ll say plainly: schools are one of the strongest demand anchors in residential real estate. They’re not the only driver, but they’re a big one—and they influence decisions even for renters who don’t have kids (because schools affect neighborhood stability and resale strength). We’re not going to claim “the best” without support. But we can show that the school systems surrounding this area are nationally recognized by third-party rankings: Ladue School District is ranked #14 in “Best School Districts in America” by Niche (2026 rankings). Ladue’s own district communication also references being top in Missouri and 14th nationally per those same Niche rankings. Parkway School District is ranked #8 in Missouri by Niche (2026 rankings). Important accuracy note (because we do this like adults):  school assignment depends on boundary maps for a specific address. So we are not claiming a specific school assignment for our property in this blog post. We’re saying the school ecosystem in the immediate area is objectively strong—and that’s a meaningful “stay-put” driver for renters and owners. Jobs: stable employers matter more than “vibes.” Good multifamily markets don’t require a single “miracle employer.” They benefit from diverse, established employment. A regional economic development source highlights multiple major corporate employers connected to the area, including Boeing, Evernorth, Centene, Edward Jones, Energizer, and Enterprise Mobility. That diversity matters because it reduces “single-industry risk.” Cities that live and die by one sector tend to swing harder in downturns. St. Louis has a more balanced employer mix, which supports the boring thing we care about most: demand that doesn’t evaporate. The deal we’re buying: The Haven at Craigshire (and why it fits this area) Our St. Louis County strategy isn’t theoretical. We’re buying in the pocket we like. The Haven at Craigshire  is a 106-unit Class B multifamily property  located at 1855 Craigshire Rd, St. Louis, MO 63146 , described as stabilized with light value-add and an execution-driven business plan. Here’s what matters to an investor reading a blog post: The property is already operating at 97% occupancy  with average rent of $1,180  and in-place NOI of $869,071 The purchase price is $14.9M (about $140,566/unit)  with a 5.8% going-in cap  and a 5–7 year hold  stated in the deal snapshot The plan includes a $1.1M CapEx budget So why do we like this as a fit for the area thesis? Because it’s the right kind of business plan for a high-quality submarket: You start with high occupancy You improve the product You grow NOI through execution You let the location do what it does best: keep demand steady The deal summary also shows projected return ranges (cash-on-cash, IRR, equity multiple). Those are projections and not guarantees—so we treat them as directional. Why this matters for Next Legacy Fund One investors Most investors don’t need more deals. They need better positioning. What we’re doing in St. Louis County is keeping the renovation scope light-to-moderate Prioritize cash-flow resilience. Avoid markets with oversupply and overpriced locations and recent rent growth that’s held up relative to the U.S. in third-party reporting and a school ecosystem with nationally and state-ranked districts nearby. That’s the point of the market selection. It’s not “exciting.” It’s investable. The bottom line If you want to build long-term wealth in multifamily, you want markets where the fundamentals are strong without paying for a story. St. Louis—especially **St. Louis County near Creve has strong household incomes, stable demand drivers, and location quality that supports occupancy and rent stability. That’s why we’re planting a flag here. If you want to understand how Next Legacy Fund One selects markets and properties—and how we think about downside risk before we talk about upside—reach out. We’ll share the thesis, the data, and how this St. Louis County strategy fits into a long-term portfolio plan.

By: Teresa Loos-Tedrow February 20, 2026 If you’re a working investor, your biggest constraint isn’t intelligence or ambition—it's bandwidth. You want exposure to real estate that can build long-term wealth. But you don’t want a second full-time job sorting through broker hype, optimistic pro formas and deals that only work if nothing goes wrong. That’s the gap we exist to fill. And it starts with the oldest rule in real estate: location, location, location. Start With the Market—Not the Renovation Budget. Before we ever debate renovation costs or rent comps, we apply our first filter: Is this a growing, up-and-coming location with durable demand drivers? If the answer is “no”—or even “not really”—we don’t negotiate with ourselves. We move on. Because you can improve units. You can tighten operations. You cannot renovate a market. The Volume Behind the Discipline Over the past nine months, our team napkin-underwrote roughly 400 multifamily opportunities. This is our initial screening process to evaluate market strength, submarket trajectory, debt reality and obvious red flags. From there, we fully underwrote 174 opportunities—analyzing real income and expense statements, using realistic assumptions, building credible CapEx plans and stress-testing downside scenarios. The real question is not, Can this deal work if everything goes right? The real question is, Does it still hold together if life happens? Out of that work, we submitted 15 Letters of Intent and were named Top 3 on 9 deals. And we didn’t win those nine. Why we’re willing to lose deals We didn’t lose those deals because we weren’t competitive. We lost them because we refused to “win” by changing the numbers to match the seller’s price. That’s the moment many teams get sloppy: Stretching rent growth projections Underestimating expenses Assuming the market will bail them out Convincing themselves they’ll fix problems later That’s not a strategy. That’s a transfer of risk—from the sponsor to the investor. We won’t do that. Your capital deserves discipline, not adrenaline. The Power of Patience Patience is not passive. It’s strategic. That discipline is exactly how we secured The Haven, a 106-unit stabilized Class B community in Creve Coeur, a strong suburban submarket of St. Louis. The property offered: Strong occupancy Cash flow in place at closing A straightforward, ROI-focused improvement plan Operational optimization opportunities This business plan does not require perfect market conditions to succeed. It’s built to perform through cycles. The Bottom Line is You don’t have time to underwrite hundreds of deals. That’s our job. Our responsibility is to screen aggressively, underwrite conservatively, say “no” when the math doesn’t protect you and only pursue opportunities that align with long-term wealth creation. If you’re looking to invest alongside a team that prioritizes capital protection, disciplined underwriting, and durable returns, we invite you to connect with us!

By: Laura DeVaney | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group February 13, 2026 When a property goes under contract, many assume the hard part is over. In reality, that’s when the most important work begins. At Next Legacy Group, due diligence isn’t a box to check. It’s the phase where a deal is either validated—or disqualified. As we move through due diligence on The Haven, our focus isn’t upside projections or best-case scenarios. Our focus is simpler: Identify, resolve or clearly disclose risks early—before closing. Due Diligence Is About Managing Risk, Not Blind Optimism Anyone can model strong returns. The real question is how a deal performs when conditions aren’t ideal. During due diligence, we deliberately pressure-test assumptions and look for areas where reality may differ from underwriting. That means slowing down, verifying details, and uncovering issues that may require adjustment. Here are some of the key areas we actively stress-test: Rent Roll vs. Reality We don’t just review the rent roll—we verify what income is actually being collected. This includes: Lease terms and upcoming expirations Concessions or informal arrangements Payment history and delinquencies Cash flow depends on behavior, not spreadsheets. Deferred Maintenance and Capital Risk Not all maintenance issues carry the same level of risk. We distinguish between: Cosmetic or deferrable items Capital issues that impact safety, operations or long-term value This process includes unit walkthroughs, system inspections and identifying historical maintenance gaps and why they occurred. Operating Expenses Under Realistic Conditions Expenses are often where underwriting quietly breaks down. We closely evaluate: Insurance assumptions amid ongoing market volatility Property tax exposure and reassessment risk Utilities and operating costs that tend to rise over time We analyze not just today’s expenses but also where cost pressure may build throughout the investment lifecycle. Break-Even Occupancy & Cash-Flow Resilience Every deal must answer a simple question: How forgiving is this property if revenues decline or expenses increase? We analyze break-even occupancy and overall cash-flow resilience to understand how the property performs without perfect execution or ideal market conditions. A strong deal should not depend on perfection. Property Management Assumptions Execution depends on systems. We evaluate: Staffing levels and defined responsibilities Day-to-day operational processes Reporting, oversight, and accountability Management assumptions matter just as much as purchase price. Alignment Through Vertical Integration Execution cost and control are critical components of due diligence. Next Legacy Group operates through a vertically integrated model that includes: An in-house construction company overseeing renovations An affiliated property management company operating the asset For investors, this structure is designed to: Improve control over renovation scope and timelines Reduce friction between ownership, construction, and management Lower operating and renovation costs compared to typical third-party markups Align incentives directly with property performance As with every component of due diligence, this model is stress-tested conservatively and documented transparently before closing. Conservative Exit Assumptions We underwrite exits with humility. That means: Using conservative cap-rate assumptions Avoiding reliance on multiple expansion Not depending on perfect timing If a deal only works under ideal conditions, it’s not a deal we pursue. Knowing When to Walk Away Just as important as validation is discipline. There are operational, physical and financial scenarios that would cause us to walk away entirely. That discipline is intentional. Capital is replaceable. Reputation and investor trust are not. Our responsibility isn’t to close deals for momentum. It’s to identify risks early, address them honestly, and protect investors by reducing uncertainty wherever possible. Due diligence isn’t about finding reasons to say yes. It ’s about ensuring there are no hidden reasons to say no. That mindset matters far more than projections and it’s one we apply consistently, long before closing day.

By: Jason Ottilo | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group Next Legacy Group is pleased to announce that The Haven at Craigshire, a 106-unit multifamily property in St. Louis, Missouri, is officially under contract. Key Property Highlights 106-unit multifamily community. Positioned in a stable and growing St. Louis market. Opportunity for value creation and income optimization. Backed by an experienced, vertically integrated sponsor team. Focus on long-term cash flow and investor equity growth. Multifamily real estate remains an attractive option for investors seeking: Passive income through stabilized rental properties. Portfolio diversification beyond traditional assets. Inflation-hedged real estate exposure. Long-term wealth-building opportunities. Join Our Investor Zoom Call To provide transparency and insights into this opportunity, Next Legacy Group is hosting a LIVE INVESTOR WEBINAR  for accredited investors. https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81764146995?pwd=1aXqsBafLCGitaJWKi7KTdiIr0x5Y5.1

By: Justin Bennett | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group 5 Lessons from Top Investors While headlines swirl about interest rates, commercial real estate volatility and a “ return to normal ,” one asset class continues to outperform across economic cycles: multifamily real estate. With office vacancies pushing nearly 18 percent nationally and retail assets reshuffling under the weight of e-commerce, multifamily has remained a magnet for both institutional capital and individual investors seeking durable returns. Here are five reasons smart investors are still betting big on multifamily in 2026—and how you can, too. 1. Stable Cash Flow in Unstable Times Multifamily investing delivers something Wall Street cannot promise: predictable, rent-backed income. As inflation and rate hikes continue to impact public markets, investors are seeking yield that is not tied to daily volatility. Well-managed multifamily properties continue to generate attractive annualized returns, even amid tightening credit conditions and construction slowdowns. As one experienced capital raiser notes, the advantage goes beyond cash flow. Investors and operators can directly influence net operating income through operational improvements, creating appreciation that is not dependent on market sentiment. 2. Demand Is Built-In and Growing With mortgage rates remaining elevated, homeownership is out of reach for millions of Americans, particularly younger generations. As a result, the United States has increasingly become a renter-focused nation, with more than 100 million people choosing to rent. Multifamily properties in strong job-growth markets such as Phoenix, Austin, and Tampa continue to experience rent growth driven by demographic trends, limited supply, and ongoing economic migration. In 2026, a significant majority of newly formed households are rental households, placing multifamily housing at the center of long-term demand. 3. Downside Protection Through Smart Underwriting Multifamily real estate is not recession-proof, but it has historically proven to be recession-resistant—especially when deals are structured with disciplined underwriting. By acquiring properties below replacement cost, maintaining adequate capital reserves, and securing fixed-rate financing, experienced sponsors work to protect investor capital through varying market conditions. Additionally, multifamily properties benefit from built-in diversification. Vacancy risk is spread across multiple units, unlike single-tenant office or industrial properties where income depends on one lease. 4. Institutional Capital Continues to Favor Multifamily When major investment firms allocate billions of dollars to multifamily in a single year, it sends a clear message about the asset class’s long-term viability. Family offices, pension funds, and endowments continue increasing their exposure to multifamily because it offers a rare combination of inflation protection, consistent income, and equity growth potential. This institutional participation enhances liquidity, improves exit options, and increases overall market efficiency—benefits that extend to individual and passive investors as well. 5. Multiple Exit Strategies Create Flexibility One of multifamily real estate’s most underappreciated strengths is strategic flexibility. Depending on market conditions, sponsors may: Refinance and return capital while continuing to hold for long-term cash flow Execute value-add improvements and exit within three to five years Complete a 1031 exchange into a larger asset or a Delaware Statutory Trust Multiple exit pathways provide tools to preserve capital and optimize returns across different market environments. A Smarter Way to Invest in 2026 As capital continues flowing into private markets and investors seek greater control, multifamily real estate remains one of the most compelling asset classes in the American economy. It is tangible. It produces income. It adapts across market cycles. With the right sponsor and structure, multifamily can serve as a cornerstone of long-term wealth preservation and growth. Ready to Learn More? We are currently working with accredited investors seeking durable income, downside protection and long-term upside through multifamily real estate.

By: Teresa Loos-Tedrow | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group I injured my back playing pickleball. Day one. Five points into the match. I hadn’t played since high school, but apparently my brain skipped that detail and went straight to athlete. So I did what any former teenager trapped in an adult body would do. I jumped as high as I could for a ball that was way  over my head. To be clear, this was not a moment where someone’s kid’s college scholarship was on the line. This was recreational pickleball. The stakes were absolutely nothing. When Overconfidence Meets Reality I strained muscles in multiple places in my back. And because I’m consistent if nothing else, I kept playing. Then I went back the next day too. The Lesson: Pretending You’re Ready Is Expensive The ball wasn’t the problem. The story I told myself was. “That’s makeable.” “I’ve got this.” “Let’s go.” That same thing shows up in real estate investing  more often than people like to admit. How This Shows Up in Real Estate Investing It sounds like “We’ll grow into the debt.” “Rent increases will cover it.” “Expenses won’t move much.” “We’ll refinance before it matters.” Sometimes you get away with it. Sometimes you play through it until it stops being funny. What Smart Real Estate Investing Actually Rewards Real estate doesn’t reward the highlight reel. It rewards durability . Margin through cash reserves and breathing room Stress testing assumptions with higher vacancy and expenses Discipline in knowing when to let a deal go Because the goal isn’t to win a single point. The goal is to stay invested year after year without relying on luck to survive.

By Tim Gramling | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group January 16, 2026 The Midwest is not suddenly becoming attractive. It is becoming unavoidable. As underwriting assumptions tighten and capital becomes more selective, investors are reassessing where long-term risk is truly managed. Increasingly, institutional research and housing data point to Midwest multifamily and self-storage investing  as some of the most resilient strategies in today’s uncertain environment. This renewed focus is not driven by hype or short-term momentum. It reflects a return to fundamentals that reward discipline, affordability, and downside protection. Why Investors Are Reconsidering Midwest Real Estate Markets In many Midwest metros, rent-to-income ratios remain materially healthier  than in coastal and high-growth Sunbelt markets. While population growth headlines often dominate conversations, affordability ultimately determines renter durability. For investors, this means: More stable occupancy Reduced reliance on aggressive rent growth Lower downside volatility during economic shifts When residents can reasonably afford housing, demand becomes more resilient. For long-term investors, that stability is not a limitation—it is a strategic advantage. Replacement Cost: A Built-In Margin of Safety One of the strongest structural advantages in Midwest multifamily investing is replacement cost . Rising labor, material, and financing costs have pushed new construction economics beyond what many Midwest markets can support. As a result, it often costs more to build than to buy . This dynamic benefits existing, well-located assets by: Limiting competitive pressure from new supply Supporting long-term asset values Providing a margin of safety when assumptions are wrong When replacement costs rise faster than rents, patient capital benefits from disciplined underwriting and long-term ownership. Multifamily and Self-Storage: Stability Over Speculation Midwest multifamily assets  are driven by affordability and essential housing demand rather than discretionary migration trends. Performance is earned through operational execution, not optimistic projections. Self-storage investments   in the Midwest follow similar fundamentals. Demand is driven by life transitions—downsizing, family changes, relocations—rather than short-term population surges. Markets with measured development pipelines tend to perform more consistently across cycles. Both asset classes reward investors who prioritize durability over volatility. The Most Common Investor Mistake Many investors confuse projected upside  with protected downside . In markets like the Midwest, returns are not dependent on perfect execution or aggressive assumptions. They are earned by remaining solvent and stable when projections fall short. For long-term capital, avoiding permanent loss is more important than chasing temporary outperformance. The Next Legacy Group Perspective At Next Legacy Group, we view the Midwest’s renewed attention as a return to fundamentals. These markets do not rely on speculation to perform. They reward: Conservative underwriting Operational excellence Long-term investor alignment Community-supported assets In an increasingly uncertain environment, disciplined Midwest multifamily and self-storage investing offers something rare— resilience without reliance on hype . Final Thoughts For investors focused on long-term wealth preservation and sustainable growth, the Midwest represents more than an opportunity. It represents discipline. And discipline, over time, is what compounds.

By: Laura DeVaney | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group New Year Doesn’t Reset Markets—It Reveals Discipline As we enter 2026, one truth remains clear: disciplined real estate investing continues to be one of the most reliable ways to build enduring value . At Next Legacy Group, investing is not about speed or speculation. It is about clarity of execution, intentional decision-making, and deep respect for capital. Our approach is deliberate and consistent, grounded in principles that guide every opportunity we evaluate. Our Investment Philosophy We focus on disciplined execution through: Acquiring fundamentally strong real assets. Operating with discipline, transparency, and alignment. Creating value within a market-driven, risk-aware investment horizon. This philosophy allows us to evaluate opportunities with precision while protecting investor capital across market cycles. Why Real Estate Still Matters Real estate remains uniquely positioned as a long-term investment because it is: Tangible Income-producing Anchored in real economic demand Our focus is not on chasing cycles but on stewarding assets with intention and care. That stewardship includes: Improving operational performance Enhancing long-term asset resilience Positioning investments to adapt as market conditions evolve This is how we define stewardship—not simply ownership . Entering 2026 With Focus As the new year begins, our priorities remain clear and unchanged. We continue to emphasize: Strong, resilient markets Thoughtful value-add opportunities Disciplined entry and exit decisions guided by real market data The objective is not to rush outcomes. The objective is to execute well, manage risk responsibly, and create meaningful, durable value . With Gratitude To our investors and extended community—thank you. We are grateful for the trust you place in us, the relationships we’ve built, and those still to come. Here’s to 2026: disciplined execution, trusted partnerships, and lasting legacy . Visit   nextlegacy.net   to learn more or connect with our team.

By: Jason Ottilo Co-founder | Next Legacy Group Artificial Intelligence has moved from buzzword to boardroom topic in commercial real estate. Sponsors hear about it from investors. Asset managers see competitors experimenting with it. Analysts quietly use it after hours and don’t always talk about it. The real question isn’t whether AI is “real.” It’s whether commercial real estate professionals understand what AI actually does, where it creates leverage, and where human judgment remains irreplaceable. This article breaks that down—without hype, without code, and without pretending AI replaces experience. What AI Really Is (and Why That Matters in CRE) At its core, modern AI is not “thinking.” It is large-scale pattern recognition and prediction trained on massive amounts of data. Systems like ChatGPT don’t understand deals the way a sponsor or operator does. Instead, they recognize patterns across millions of documents—leases, offering memorandums, market reports and financial narratives—and predict what a useful response should look like. That distinction matters because it defines where AI works best. AI excels at: Repetitive analytical work Document review and summarization Pattern detection across large datasets Drafting first-pass content AI struggles with: Judgment calls and trade-offs Ethics, nuance, and context Market timing decisions Relationship-driven outcomes In short: AI is a force multiplier, not a decision-maker. Why This Wave of AI Is Different from the Past Real estate has seen “AI” before. In prior decades, firms experimented with rule-based underwriting systems and expert systems that promised to automate intelligence. Most failed because they were brittle, expensive, and broke down when markets changed. Modern AI works differently for three fundamental reasons: Scale of Training Data  – Today’s models are trained on trillions of words, including real estate documents, contracts, market commentary, and financial language. Transformer Architecture —Modern AI can maintain context across long documents. It can read a 100-page offering memorandum and answer questions that require connecting details across sections. Transfer Learning —AI doesn’t need to be “trained for real estate” to analyze real estate. It transfers general language understanding into CRE workflows immediately. That’s why AI is now usable in real-world commercial real estate operations—not as a novelty, but as infrastructure. Practical CRE Use Cases That Actually Work Today Here’s where AI is already creating leverage inside real estate firms. 1. Underwriting and Deal Screening AI works best as a first-pass underwriting assistant: Reviewing rent rolls for tenant concentration Flagging lease expirations and rollover risk Comparing in-place versus market rents Stress-testing assumptions conceptually AI does not replace Excel models or investment committee judgment. It reduces analyst time on repetitive review, allowing teams to move faster to high-quality “no’s” and focus more on viable opportunities. 2. Lease and Document Analysis AI excels at reading unstructured text such as: Leases Purchase agreements Loan documents Operating agreements You can ask targeted questions like: “Where are the tenant termination rights?” “Summarize rent escalations and expense pass-throughs.” “Identify unusual landlord obligations.” This can save dozens of hours per transaction, but every output must be reviewed—AI can sound confident and still be wrong. 3. Investor Communications and Capital Raising AI is effective for first-draft investor communications: Investor updates Deal summaries Educational content FAQs Strong operators use AI to improve consistency and speed, then layer in human judgment, voice, and positioning. Used correctly, this enhances transparency and trust. 4. Custom GPTs for Firm-Specific Workflows One of the most underutilized tools in CRE is the Custom GPT. A Custom GPT is a configured version of an existing AI model with: Firm-specific instructions Uploaded templates and standards Defined red flags and thresholds Examples: An underwriting assistant that always calculates DSCR and debt yield, flagging kill triggers An investor relations assistant that drafts updates using consistent language and compliance rules This creates process consistency at scale without increasing headcount or retraining teams repeatedly. Where AI Fails—and Always Will AI should never be trusted blindly in commercial real estate. Its limitations include: It can hallucinate plausible-sounding but incorrect facts It has no accountability or intuition It cannot read local market sentiment It cannot negotiate or assess counterparties Treat every AI output like work from a sharp intern—useful, fast, and requiring review. The Strategic Advantage: Focus, Not Automation The biggest mistake firms make is asking, “How do we automate everything?” The better question is: “Where does AI free our best people to focus on judgment, relationships, and execution?” Winning firms use AI to: Shorten feedback loops Reduce low-value labor Increase consistency Scale insight without scaling overhead They are not trying to replace operators, asset managers, or sponsors. How Next Legacy Group Uses AI — Deliberately At Next Legacy Group, we don’t use AI to replace judgment, relationships, or experience. We use it to protect  them. Our philosophy is simple: AI should compress time, reduce error, and create space for better decisions—not make decisions for us. We use AI across three areas: 1. Underwriting Discipline AI accelerates first-pass analysis—reviewing rent rolls, highlighting lease risk, and stress-testing assumptions—so our team can spend more time pressure-testing downside and validating fundamentals. AI speeds the work; humans own the call. 2. Consistent, Transparent Investor Communication AI helps structure and draft investor communications, improving clarity and timeliness. Every message is reviewed and refined by our team to ensure accuracy, tone, and alignment with long-term partnership values. 3. Focus on What Compounds Over Time By reducing time spent on repetitive tasks, AI frees our team to focus on what drives long-term returns: disciplined acquisitions, risk management through cycles, and operational execution. We do not outsource responsibility to AI. Every output is reviewed. Every decision is owned. We believe this is how technology should be used in commercial real estate—quietly, carefully and in service of durability. In an environment where speed without discipline destroys value, our objective is the opposite: to move efficiently, think clearly and compound capital responsibly over the long term.

By: Tim Gramling | Co-Founder | Next Legacy Group December 12, 2025 The Story Behind the Numbers: Why Serious Investors Back Operators Who Can Read What Others Ignore. Every investor talks about numbers. Very few understand what they mean. And that gap is exactly where wealth is created or destroyed. At Next Legacy Group, we have learned something simple but uncomfortable. Most operators use numbers to justify a narrative. The best operators use numbers to uncover the truth. Investors feel the difference immediately. Because numbers do not lie. But they also do not volunteer the truth. You have to interrogate them. A rising NOI might look attractive. But what is the story behind it? Discipline or luck? Operational strength or temporary market inflation? Advisors and high-net-worth investors are not looking for pretty spreadsheets. They are looking for operators who can decode behavior, operations, and risk from the numbers alone. That is where trust is built. Capital flows to confidence. Confidence comes from clarity. And clarity comes from understanding the story the data is telling, not the story someone is trying to sell. We approach every deal with a systems-based methodology that separates disciplined operators from everyone else. We break the asset down to its variables, identify which numbers represent strength, and isolate which ones signal drift or hidden risk. This is where real value is discovered long before the market recognizes it. Investors back operators who see around corners. Operators who read the story behind the numbers. We are building a platform designed for partners who value disciplined execution. As we continue scaling, that methodology becomes the engine for long-term capital alignment.