With a combination of strategic engagement and experience-backed patience, Next Realty continues to actively pursue several retail and multi-family investment opportunities. As an example, in the six-week period from February 23 through April 3, 2026, Next Realty explored 102 potential properties – 42 in the Midwest, 53 in the Southeast, and seven in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Next Realty’s leadership toured 15 properties, considered letters of intent for four, and ultimately submitted two letters of intent.
Of the properties evaluated, the vast majority – approximately 82% – were retail properties. Competition for retail properties remains strong, and buyer appetite for retail strip centers has been exceedingly high in recent months, due in part to their strong rental rates. CBRE reports that strip center rents have grown 27% since 2016, compared with a 22% increase in rents for Neighborhood/Community/Strip (NCS) properties over the same period. Additionally, the lack of new inventory has exacerbated the lack of adequate supply to meet buyer demand.
Retail strip centers – referred to as “the golden child” by CBRE – have long been a cornerstone of Next Realty’s Multi-Solution® strategy. Offering predictable returns, Next Realty takes a property-specific approach and relies on its deep experience in the asset class to assess potential investments’ tenant rosters and rental rates, evaluate the location and traffic patterns, scout the geographic area, and consider other criteria.
“Our investment decisions are situational. This way, we can be nimble and respond to the opportunity presented,” Andy Hochberg says. “We don’t have bright-line rules for locations or property classes.”
Multi-family and mixed-use properties (including parking) also comprise a significant portion of Next Realty’s portfolio. Five of the properties assessed in the relevant period were multi-family properties. Eight of the properties evaluated were flex/mixed-use, and one was a parking property. Although parking-based investments are smaller than the retail and multi-family asset classes, Next Realty has achieved successful returns in the past and continues to investigate select parking properties.
Despite increased buyer competition within the retail and multi-family markets, Next Realty remains laser-focused on its Multi-Solution® strategy for diversification, which extends to locations, asset classes, and tenants. “Even when the number of completed deals is lower than usual, we are as active and engaged as ever. We know that the only way to benefit is to stay in the game by building a strong broker network, assessing properties, touring properties, and submitting offers that align with our strategy.”
