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

Everyone's nervous. Rates are high, the news is loud, and most investors are sitting on the sidelines. But I'm still buying.

In this episode, I break down exactly why multifamily still makes sense in 2025—and why fear-driven inaction is costing people the opportunity of a lifetime.

Here's what you'll get:

• Why I'm actively closing deals this year (with no outside capital)

• The real math behind today's market

• What most people don't understand about how wealth is created

• Why motivated sellers and creative financing are back

• What makes multifamily the most durable asset class—period

If you've been waiting for the "right time" to get into multifamily, let me be clear: that time doesn't exist.

But smart investors learn to play the market they're in.

Tune in and start thinking like an operator.

Think you know how to underwrite? Think again.

In Episode 253, I'm breaking down the real fundamentals of multifamily underwriting—what actually matters, what most people miss, and how to stop being emotional and start being objective.

You'll learn:

• The key metrics that matter most (and why)

• How to build a realistic pro forma (not just a fairy tale)

• Why most deals don't pencil—and how to spot the ones that do

• How I underwrite deals using my own proprietary model

Whether you're still fumbling with napkin math or already analyzing deals weekly, this episode will sharpen your underwriting game—fast.

💻 Want my free Credibility Kit? Go to www.smallaxecommunities.com

And my deal analyzer will be there too! If it's not ready for some reason, DM me and I will send you a Beta version!

🪓 Let's sharpen your axe together.

In today's episode, I get real about what it actually looks like to build a multifamily investing business from scratch.

✅ No fluff. ✅ No overnight success stories. ✅ Just the honest truth about the grind, the fees, and why I'm still in the game—despite not being financially free (yet).

You'll learn:

• Why I thought I'd be rich in a year... and what really happened

• The difference between active and passive investing (this is huge)

• Why you need to know your "why" before diving in

• What to expect if you're starting with no money

If you're serious about investing, don't miss this one.

🎁 Grab my free Credibility Kit for new investors 👉 smallaxecommunities.com

📩 Want personal help getting started? DM me or reach out through the site. I still offer free intro calls—but not for long.

In today's raw and real episode, Nico gets straight to the truth: you're never going to feel "ready." But guess what? Readiness is a lie. The ones who win aren't the smartest—they're the most coachable.

Nico shares why coachability, not perfection, has been his superpower in building a multifamily portfolio from zero to 76 units. You'll hear about surfing lessons, real estate mistakes, ego traps, and what it really takes to build a life on your own terms.

If you've been waiting for the perfect moment… this episode is your wake-up call. Paddle in, even if you're scared. Especially if you're scared.

👊 Action cures fear. 🏄 Coachability builds empires. 🔥 It's your time.

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👉 Want a credibility kit to help you start making offers? Download it at www.smallaxecommunities.com

🎯 DM Nico @smallaxecommunities with your biggest takeaway or action you're taking today!

Are you still dreaming about closing your first multifamily deal… but haven't pulled the trigger yet?

In this solo episode, Nico issues a direct challenge: get a deal under contract THIS WEEK. Whether you're brand new or already analyzing deals, this is your tactical blueprint to stop hesitating and start executing.

In this episode, you'll learn: – Why imperfect action beats waiting for perfect timing – How to identify and underwrite 5–20 real deals TODAY – Scripts to engage brokers and unlock pocket listings – How to confidently submit 3+ LOIs—even as a beginner – Creative terms that win deals without raising your price – Due diligence tips to protect your money and your sanity

🔥 This isn't theory. It's your week to take a real swing.

👉 Grab the free Credibility Kit for brokers: smallaxecommunities.com/credibilitykit

🎧 Join the Small Axe community → smallaxecommunities.com

"Off-market" sounds like a guaranteed win, right? Wrong.

In this episode, Nico Salgado blows up the hype around off-market deals—and reveals the brutal truth: just because a deal is off-market doesn't mean it's a good deal. In fact, it might be garbage nobody else wanted.

Learn how to filter the real opportunities from the fake ones, survive the FOMO traps, and build your empire on cash flow—not broker fairy tales.

✅ Inside this episode:

• Why most "off-market" deals are just marketing ploys

• How to spot real seller motivation (and why it matters)

• How to stress-test every deal BEFORE you waste time or money

• Why relationships—not email blasts—get you true off-market wins

• How to stay sharp, stay patient, and buy real assets—not hype

Off-market is just a headline. Cash flow, equity growth, and risk management are the real story.

Value-add sounds sexy… until it eats you alive. In this episode, Nico Salgado exposes the brutal reality behind those hyped-up "value-add" deals. From contractor nightmares to tenant drama, blown timelines to CapEx catastrophes — value-add isn't just paint and granite countertops. It's chaos, leadership, cash reserves, and grit.

Learn what it really takes to survive and thrive in the value-add game without getting crushed.

✅ Inside this episode:

• Why most value-add budgets are complete fantasy

• How to spot contractor red flags before they wreck your project

• The hidden risks of tenant turnover (and how to manage them)

• Why patience reserves are just as important as cash reserves

• How to build real equity without losing your mind (or your shirt)

Stop believing the gurus. Start building like a real empire maker.

You've been lied to about cap rates. Brokers flash shiny cap rates in your face — but behind the scenes? Fake numbers, hidden expenses, and looming CapEx tsunamis. In this episode, Nico breaks down why cap rates mean nothing without context, how to spot broker tricks, and what REALLY matters when buying multifamily deals. Stop chasing fantasy returns — start underwriting like a pro. Stay sharp, stay dangerous, stay Small Axe strong.

You don't need deep pockets, fancy credentials, or a family legacy in real estate to get into the game. What you do need? Hustle, grit, and the mindset to earn your seat at the table.

In this episode, Nico breaks down exactly how he started from zero—no capital, no track record—and earned equity in multifamily deals using nothing but sweat equity and strategy.

🚀 How to get brokers to take you seriously 💰 How to structure equity deals without using your own money 🧠 The mindset shift from "I need money" to "I need a plan" 🔥 What value YOU can bring (even if you're broke)

This one's for the scrappy ones. The late-night grinders. The future empire builders with no excuses left.

Get locked in ! -

📍 Website → www.smallaxecommunities.com 📍 Podcast on Apple → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-axe-podcast/id1528971543 📍 YouTube Channel → https://www.youtube.com/@nicosalgado1753 📍 Instagram → @_nico_salgado 📍 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicosalgado456/ 📍 Multifamily Credibility Kit → https://smallaxecommunities.com

📍Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nicosalgado456/

Most people think real estate is a shortcut to sipping drinks on a beach. But unless you're coming in with a few million to deploy, this game ain't passive—it's a grind. In this solo episode, Nico pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to succeed in multifamily real estate: the lawsuits, the tenant drama, the all-nighters, and the long-haul strategy that builds real wealth.

If you're serious about investing—without the sugarcoating—this one's for you.

🔥 Learn how investors actually get paid 🧱 Understand the difference between active vs. passive 📉 Why syndication returns aren't guaranteed 🧠 Why mindset (and timeline) is everything

Whether you're broke and hungry or sitting on stacks, this episode will show you which game you're really playing.