Small Axe Podcast: Multifamily Real Estate | Buy Buildings, Build Empires

Real estate is not complicated. But it is brutally hard.

In this episode, I break down the biggest lie people tell about real estate investing. The steps are simple. Learn how to underwrite deals. Build relationships. Submit offers. Close. Operate. Refinance. Reinvest. Repeat. But everything that matters happens between those steps in real life.

I talk about the emotional toll of this business, the late nights, the rejection from brokers, the months of negative cash flow, the partnership stress, the slow grind of building trust with lenders, investors, attorneys, and contractors. This is the part nobody puts on Instagram, but it is the part that determines who actually makes it.

I also explain why this game takes years, not months. Why your first real deal might take three years to close. Why patience, identity, and delayed gratification matter more than any spreadsheet or deal analyzer. And why the people you are really competing with are operators who have been doing this for decades.

If you are serious about owning real estate long term, building wealth for your family, and becoming a real operator, this episode will ground you back in reality and help you stay in the game when it gets uncomfortable.

If this hits home and you want tools and structure to support your journey, grab my free Multifamily Credibility Kit or explore the resources in my Stan store. They are built to help you show up as a real operator, even if you are early in the game.

Most new investors never buy their first apartment building for one simple reason:

They don't make enough offers.

In this episode, I break down why submitting LOIs is one of the most important reps you can get in this business — and why you're not actually "locked in" just because you made an offer. We'll talk about how many LOIs you should be submitting, what they really mean, why people freeze up at this stage, and how the simple act of making offers builds skill, confidence, deal flow, and real broker relationships.

If you want to become an operator, you can't sit on the sidelines overanalyzing forever. Speed matters. Reps matter. And imperfect action beats waiting to feel ready every single time.

I'll also walk you through: • LOIs vs PSAs — what's actually binding and what isn't • Why submitting offers helps you sharpen your underwriting • How brokers start taking you seriously • What happens after an LOI gets accepted • The real (and limited) financial risk involved • Why the people making offers are the ones who win long-term

And I end with a simple challenge: submit at least one offer this week — even if it's verbal.

If you want help getting taken seriously when you show up in this business, grab my free Multifamily Credibility Kit here:

👉 stan.store/buybuildings

And if you want structure, guidance, and accountability while you build your multifamily career, check out my Buy Buildings, Build Empires course and the Multifamily Machine cohort inside my Stan store as well.

Let's get you moving. Stop waiting — start submitting LOIs.

Everyone is waiting for January 1st to feel inspired. That's the mistake.

In this episode, I break down five specific moves you can make right now—before the new year—that will completely change the trajectory of your real estate journey in 2026.

We cover how to define your buy box, build credibility fast, start broker relationships, underwrite deals the right way, and choose an education path that actually moves you forward.

No motivation. Just direction.

Most new investors think NOI equals cash in their pocket. It doesn't.

In this episode, I break down what NOI actually is, how the capital stack works, why GPs get paid last, and how misunderstanding this one concept can destroy deals before they even start.

If you want to avoid rookie mistakes and underwrite like a pro, this is required listening.

Everybody thinks they need money, partners, a track record, or some perfect résumé before they can start in multifamily. That's the lie. The truth? You need credibility — and credibility can be BUILT from nothing.

In this episode, I break down exactly how to go from "nobody knows me" to "brokers take me seriously." No fluff. No theory. Just the real steps I used to become a lead GP with zero money, zero experience, and zero connections.

We get into: • The mindset shift every beginner must make • How to position yourself like a professional even if you're brand new • The exact tools you need: buy box, one-pager, email scripts, team setup • Why brokers don't care about your money as much as they care about your clarity • How to leverage mentors or experienced operators • Why showing up consistently matters more than your background • How to talk to brokers so they listen • How to avoid the rookie mistakes that kill your credibility

You don't need a million dollars. You don't need a 20-unit portfolio. You don't need a fancy title. You need direction, systems, and execution — and that's what this episode gives you.

If you've been sitting on the sidelines thinking, "Who am I to reach out to brokers? Who am I to chase deals?" this episode will change the way you see yourself.

This is how you build multifamily credibility when you have nothing.

BBBE Course Pre-Sale ($297) Deal Analyzer (Deal Blade) January Cohort Enrollment ($500 – limited seats) Free Tools + Scripts 👉 https://stan.store/buybuildings

In this episode, I break down why the holiday season is actually one of the BEST times to get ahead in multifamily real estate. While everyone else is coasting, checking out, eating cookies, and waiting for January to "feel motivated," you can be sharpening your skills, getting in front of brokers, tightening your buy box, reviewing deals, building your credibility tools, and setting yourself up to dominate in 2026.

I share real stories from my journey — including offering on deals on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day — and explain why the investors who stay focused during this season separate themselves from the pack.

You'll learn: • Why December creates opportunity • How brokers and sellers behave during the holidays • What moves to make now to jumpstart your 2026 • How to use December to build momentum while everyone else sleeps • Why tough months build tough investors • The simple inflation math that can add $159K+ in value to a $1M property without lifting a hammer • Why waiting for January kills momentum • How to show brokers you're serious even during the slowdown

If you're serious about buying multifamily, this episode is your wake-up call.

Links + Resources: BBBE Course Pre-Sale ($297) Deal Analyzer (Deal Blade) January 2026 Cohort Enrollment ($500) Free Tools + Resources 👉 https://stan.store/buybuildings

Everyone loves a "we closed" post… but nobody talks about what actually happens next. Year one of operations is the most chaotic, most demanding, and least "passive" part of multifamily real estate — and most people have no idea what they're stepping into.

In this episode, I break down the real work behind owning and operating apartments. Year one is where the property starts talking to you. Tenants, lenders, partners, vendors — everyone needs something. Problems you never saw in due diligence suddenly show up. Bills spike. Delinquency hits. Contractors ghost you. Utilities jump. And every weakness in your business plan gets exposed instantly.

This is the part Instagram never shows.

In this episode, we cover: – Why year one feels like a constant fire drill – The truth about older buildings and hidden issues – Delinquency, turnover, and the residents you "inherit" – The vendor and contractor chaos nobody warns you about – Cash flow pressure, tax deadlines, and insurance headaches – Weekly operator habits that keep a deal alive – Why year one determines the success of the entire hold period – What real operators do when the pain hits

If you're in year one right now, you're not crazy — you're becoming an operator. If you're thinking about becoming a GP, listen with both ears open. And if you're an LP, this is why operators get paid what they get paid.

Want tools, templates, or coaching to learn this game for real? 👉 Stan Store: https://stan.store/buybuildings 👉 Monthly newsletter + future deal access: https://smallaxecommunities.com

Small axe. Big trees. Let's get to work.

In April 2025, we bought a small 6-unit property for $400K, put $68K into CapEx, tightened operations, filled every unit, and had it under contract at $650K within five months. We were days away from closing. Buyers locked in. No renegotiation. Clean inspection. A true home run.

And then… two days before closing… a 17-year-old driver crashed into one of our tenant's cars, launching it straight into our standalone studio apartment. The entire facade caved in. The tenant had to vacate. And the deal we had lined up fell apart instantly.

In this episode, I walk you guys through everything that happened — the lender delays, the accident, the insurance process, the missed deadlines, the backup buyers that vanished, and the financial pressure we're now navigating. This is the real side of multifamily that nobody posts about.

We talk about: – How the accident killed the sale – Why insurance and permits slowed everything down – The cash flow and holding-cost punch we're dealing with – The impact on our partners' liquidity – How time destroys IRR in a flip scenario – What we're doing next to stabilize, re-lease, and relist – Why operators earn their keep in moments like this

If you're thinking about becoming a GP, or you already operate deals, this is a must-listen. This is the part of multifamily nobody glamorizes — and it's exactly why you need the right systems, the right expectations, and the right team.

Want tools, templates, or to work with me? 👉 Stan Store: https://stan.store/buybuildings 👉 Newsletter + future deals: https://smallaxecommunities.com

Small axe. Big trees. Get to chopping.

A raw message for students and parents who want real financial freedom—not just a diploma.

In this powerful episode, Nico speaks directly to two groups—young, hungry students and their parents. He breaks down why the traditional college path rarely leads to true wealth or freedom and explains how to build real independence through entrepreneurship and multifamily real estate.

If you're a parent who wants your kids to be confident, capable, and independent—or a young person tired of being told the only path is college—this episode is for you. Nico shares the lessons he wishes he learned in his 20s, from the "Purple Bible" (Rich Dad Poor Dad) to the mindset, exposure, and skills needed to own your time and your future.

🎓 Learn how to think like an owner. 💰 Learn how money really works. 🏗️ Learn how to build empires, not just résumés.

Pre-order the **Buy Buildings, Build Empires™** course now at [stan.store/buybuildings](https://stan.store/buybuildings)

How to attract investors without "raising capital" — through trust, consistency, and real work.

Description In this episode, Nico gets brutally honest about what it really takes to start building relationships with potential LPs (limited partners). This isn't about "raising capital" or trying to sound like a pro — it's about showing up, building trust, and earning credibility over time.

You'll learn:

• How to naturally attract LPs through your content, network, and conversations

• Why your email list is your most powerful long-term asset

• What to do when people ghost you or say no

• How to share your wins and losses to build real trust

• Why consistency > perfection when growing your investor base

No secrets. No shortcuts. Just the real journey of a multifamily operator.

🎧 Listen now and start building your empire — one relationship at a time. 📍 Get tools & resources at: https://stan.store/buybuildings