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

In this episode, Nico gets raw about why he keeps pushing forward despite teaching full-time, waiting tables at night, coaching surf, and running multifamily properties. He shares the truth about balancing work, family, and investing—and why it all comes down to one thing: creating freedom for his blended family.

You'll hear:

• What Nico's daily grind actually looks like

• Why family is the ultimate "why" behind every hustle

• How surfing, travel, and experiences fuel resilience and growth

• The tools he's building to help YOU step into multifamily real estate

👉 Ready to buy buildings and build your empire? Grab Nico's tools, calls, and full course now: stan.store/buybuildings

Most people never start in multifamily because they cling to three excuses: I don't have the money, I don't have the experience, and nobody will take me seriously. In this episode, I break down each of these limiting beliefs and show you how to crush them.

I'm still a full-time teacher, a dad, hustling side jobs, and going through real struggles—yet I've closed deals, built partnerships, and created a path to financial freedom. The truth is you don't need cash, a polished resume, or someone's permission slip to get started. You need grit, resourcefulness, and the courage to take action.

If multifamily real estate is your dream, this episode will prove that the only thing standing in your way is you. Stop waiting. Start moving. Let's buy buildings. Let's build empires.

People think being a multifamily operator is glamorous — that it's passive income, freedom, and kicking back while the money rolls in. The truth? It's chaos.

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of a real day in my life — juggling four jobs (multifamily operator, full-time teacher, surf coach, and waiter), nonstop phone calls, constant decision-making, and the family moments that keep me going.

This is the unfiltered reality of what it takes to be an operator — and why maybe, just maybe, being an LP is the better move for some of you.

📌 In this episode you'll learn:

• What a real day looks like for a multifamily GP

• The mental load and decision fatigue that comes with operations

• Why health and discipline matter just as much as financials

• Why LP investing may be a better fit for some people

• How chaos and grind build legacy

📌 Resources Mentioned:

• My Stan Store:

  https://stan.store/BuyBuildings

• Free Equity Split Calculator

• Deal Analyzer ("Deal Blade")

• Book a Strategy Call

• Pre-Order My Course: Buy Buildings, Build Empires

👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs to hear the truth about multifamily investing.

Every closing I've ever done has been chaos. Forget the champagne shots and social media hype — the reality is messy, stressful, and nonstop. In this episode, I break down what really happens when the deal closes, why most people aren't cut out for multifamily, and how walking into the fire is the only way to grow.

If you want the full story of my most recent crazy closing, check out [Episode 270].

📌 Resources Mentioned:

• My Stan Store:

  https://stan.store/BuyBuildings

• Free Equity Split Calculator

• Deal Analyzer ("Deal Blade")

• Strategy Call Booking

• Pre-Order My Full Course: Buy Buildings, Build Empires

• Join the Free Facebook Group: Buy Buildings, Build Empires

👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who needs to hear the truth about multifamily investing.

In this episode, Nico takes you inside the ugliest closing he's faced yet — a 13-unit deal in Lakeland, Florida that nearly fell apart multiple times. What looked simple on paper turned into a brutal capital raise, endless back-and-forth with lenders and title companies, and a closing process that stretched out over a week of chaos.

You'll hear the unfiltered truth about raising $220K that felt like pulling teeth, what it's like when your team can't deliver, and how even experienced operators get blindsided. This isn't the glossy "We Closed!" story you see on Instagram — this is the grind of real multifamily investing.

If you've ever wondered what it actually takes to survive in this business, this episode is your reality check.

👉 Want the real tools to build credibility and last in this game? Grab my Credibility Kit, check out the Deal Blade Analyzer, or join my Buy Buildings, Build Empires community at SmallAxeCommunities.com.

I've done good deals and I've done bad deals—and the difference wasn't luck. It came down to whether the right ingredients were in the mix.

In this episode, I share the 7 key ingredients that make up the recipe for a truly good deal in multifamily investing:

1. Price (and why chasing discounts alone can be a trap)

2. Money in the bank & proof of funds

3. Broker and seller relationships

4. Operations and management

5. Creative tools & terms (like seller financing)

6. Team & infrastructure

7. Personal readiness & discipline

When you put these ingredients together, you've got a recipe that sets you up for long-term success. Miss even one, and the whole deal can fall apart.

Listen in as I walk through how I've applied these ingredients—sometimes the hard way—and how you can use them to consistently find and close better deals.

In this episode, I break down a truth that too many people miss: in multifamily, the hardest part isn't finding deals—it's raising capital.

I walk you through the cycles I've seen and learned about:

• Post-GFC (2009–2011): Deals everywhere, no capital.

• 2020–2022: Capital everywhere, no deals.

• Today: Deals are discounted, but the money is tight.

We'll cover why the game always shifts, why waiting for the "perfect" market is a trap, and how to think about capital preservation, cash flow, and growth in today's climate.

If you're an operator, it's time to double down on relationships and strategic partnerships. If you're an investor, it's time to stop letting inflation eat your money and start deploying wisely with operators you trust.

This is about fundamentals, mindset, and playing the long game.

It's late, I'm tired, and honestly, I almost didn't hit record tonight. But that's exactly what this episode is about—grit and showing up when it's hard.

I share the reality of what it takes to build something meaningful: recording hours of course content, juggling real deals with investors and lenders, handling personal struggles, and still pressing forward with no true days off.

This isn't about being perfect. It's about committing, pushing through discomfort, and showing up even when you're running on empty. Because the truth is, most people quit right before the breakthrough.

If you're tired, stressed, or doubting yourself—this one's for you. You're stronger than you think. Keep swinging.

👉 Join my new Facebook group: Buy Buildings, Build Empires Connect with others who are learning, investing, and grinding just like you. Hit the link in the show notes to join the community.

Most people have no business getting into multifamily real estate. It's slow, risky, and messy — and if you don't have the stomach for years of grind, you'll get crushed.

In this episode, I break down the brutal truths about multifamily investing: the sleepless nights, the endless "no's," the tenant headaches, the financial risks — and why this game isn't for everyone.

Then I'll share who does thrive in multifamily: the hungry, the patient, the resilient. And I'll give you a simple litmus test — my free Small Axe Deal Analyzer — to see if you're really cut out for this world.

👉 DM me on Facebook or email [email protected] to grab your free analyzer and join the community.

Stay sharp, my fam.

What if I told you the secret to growth in real estate, business, and life is collecting as many "nos" as possible? In this episode, I break down why rejection isn't failure—it's information, momentum, and often just the first step toward a yes.

I share stories from my own journey as a teacher, investor, and dad—whether it's negotiating with sellers, asking vendors for discounts, building teams, or parenting. You'll learn how to:

• Reframe rejection as opportunity

• Build resilience and confidence through hearing "no"

• Turn obstacles into stepping stones toward your next win

• Set the challenge of chasing 10 nos today

If you're tired of feeling stuck, afraid of rejection, or waiting for the perfect yes, this episode will help you shift your mindset and keep moving forward relentlessly.

👉 Want my Multifamily Deal Blade Analyzer or my Equity Split Calculator? DM me on Instagram or Facebook. Or email me at [email protected]. I will send you a copy!

👉 Don't forget to grab my free Credibility Kit at www.smallaxecommunities.com to strengthen your broker relationships.

Sharpen your axe, embrace the nos, and keep pushing toward your empire.