“Health is a piece of your legacy.” That line stopped the room. And it perfectly set the tone for two days of conversations that went far beyond the balance sheet.
I recently attended the Lido Family Office Investment Symposium, a gathering of thoughtful investors, operators, and advisors across sectors ranging from private equity and healthcare to commercial real estate and athlete-led ventures. The ideas were diverse, but the common thread was clear: long-term thinking, rigorous diligence, and a growing emphasis on values, not just valuations.
Here are six of my biggest takeaways from the event.
1. Health and Longevity Are Becoming Capital Allocations
This was not your typical health panel.
From the importance of mental health to VO2 Max as a predictor of lifespan and the rise of new medications and technology, the message was clear: healthspan is as important as wealthspan. Tools like Neuroracer are being used to improve cognitive resilience. Organizations like Wellworth and Legacy Concierge are becoming essential partners for families navigating care, aging, and complex treatment journeys.
In an era where people are now living longer thanks to better health awareness and medical advances, family offices are treating wellness not just as personal, but as strategic — part of a broader legacy plan.
2. Estate Planning Is Evolving — and Getting Urgent
Among attendees, there was a lot of buzz around estate planning. The general consensus is that the current estate tax exemptions will likely be extended, but not made permanent. That has implications. Families who wait too long to act may find themselves boxed out of generational transfer strategies that were once seen as guaranteed.
As always, the smart money is planning for uncertainty, not certainty. Flexibility and early action remain key advantages.
3. The Athlete Investor Model Is About More Than Returns
One of the most compelling discussions focused on athlete investors — not just as capital contributors, but as cultural catalysts. What stood out was the emphasis on relationship capital, community engagement, and the idea that investing is not only about growing wealth, but about shaping the world.
It is a powerful reminder that influence can be as valuable as equity — especially when it is used to unlock access, bring people together, and change the narrative.
4. Fund Diligence Is Getting Sharper and More Nuanced
For those managing private investments, fund structure due diligence has never been more complex — or more important. Several themes stood out:
- Understanding fee structures: American vs. European waterfalls, and fees on committed vs. invested capital.
- Asking smart questions about valuation practices, especially in evergreen funds where inflows and outflows impact NAV.
- Scrutinizing GP skin in the game — and whether downside protection is built into the investment thesis.
- Focusing on the “jockey” in deals, especially in real estate and private credit.
What became clear is that top-performing investors are not just choosing assets — they are choosing who they are willing to trust, and under what terms.
5. Lending Markets Are in Transition — and So Is CRE Strategy
The commercial real estate lending conversation was all about maturity risk and how borrowers are managing the gap between loan timelines and rate environments.
Key observations:
- Most recent activity has been in refinancing, with non-bank lenders stepping in where banks have pulled back.
- Shorter maturities are becoming the preference as borrowers anticipate a rate decline.
- There is growing excitement around new apartment construction, especially in secondary markets near major hubs (e.g. Chattanooga).
- Relationship-driven lending is essential, particularly when loan extensions or restructures are required.
The message for investors: stay flexible, know your lenders, and pay close attention to local operators and market fundamentals.
6. Insurance Structures Are Getting Leaner — and Risk Management Is Shifting
The insurance panel provided a sharp look at how families and institutions are reassessing coverage and cost.
Notable insights:
- Public adjusters may be your best friend in the event of duress helping you navigate through the stressful claim process, so you can focus on what matters most in your business or personal life.
- When hiring adjusters, it is important to ask about their roadmap, references, fees, and availability to ensure they can deliver during a high-pressure situation.
- There is a clear trend toward lower coverage and higher deductibles, which places greater emphasis on preventive maintenance and fireproofing activities.
- Reinsurance premiums are down 15 percent — a welcome reprieve for some, but also a reminder that rates fluctuate with market capacity.
Insurance is no longer a set-it-and-forget-it category — it is becoming part of the broader diligence process.
Actionable Insights
If you are reviewing your own investment and family office strategy, here are a few practical takeaways worth considering:
- Wellness is a strategic investment. Treat personal health decisions with the same level of analysis as financial ones.
- Estate planning timelines are tightening. Review your transfer structures now — not when legislation is finalized.
- Review your fund documents deeply. Look beyond performance to understand mechanics like crystallization, claw backs, and how fees are applied.
- Reassess risk in CRE lending. Many loans are refinancing or restructuring, and non-bank lenders are playing a larger role.
- Scrutinize your insurance strategy. Ensure coverage matches real-world risk and ask hard questions of your adjusters.
A Personal Note
What stood out most to me was the level of intentionality behind every conversation. Whether discussing reinsurance premiums, ADHD treatments, or the future of tariffs, the theme was not just return on capital — but return on values.
This is what makes family office investing different. It is patient, personal, and often deeply purpose-driven.
Vessi Kapoulian,
Protect the downside. Grow your wealth.
PS: If you are rethinking your strategy across health, estate, or fund diligence, I would be happy to connect or trade notes.
Download The Busy Professional’s Quick Guide To Investing In Multifamily here.
Should you have any questions or want to learn more about real estate investing or for an overview of our target markets, please reach out to info@dbacapitalgroup.com.
Disclaimer: The information presented does not constitute legal, accounting, tax, or individually tailored investment advice. Past results do not represent or guarantee future performance.