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

What if I told you that nobody cares about your effort—until you win? This is the brutal truth about building anything meaningful: your work is invisible until it pays off. In this raw, unfiltered solo episode, I pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a real estate business while working a W2, raising a family, and getting kicked in the teeth by the grind. No exits. No millions. No...

Are you chasing cash flow and forgetting the big picture? In today's episode, I break down the real reason we invest in multifamily—and why the goal isn't instant riches, but long-term capital preservation and control. Here's what I'm covering: The difference between cash flow and appreciation (and why you need both) Why preserving your capital should always come first How forced appreciation real...

Are you staring at spreadsheets without really knowing what they're telling you? In this episode, I break down the most important return metrics in multifamily real estate—from cash-on-cash and IRR to DSCR and equity multiple. I explain what they actually mean, why they matter, and how to use them to make smart investment decisions. We're not just guessing here. These numbers tell a story—and if y...

Episode 256 — Small Axe Podcast with Nico Salgado You've been studying. Listening. Watching. Underwriting. But that first multifamily deal? Still not happening. In this episode, I break down the real reasons you're stuck —and they're probably not what you think. 👉 It's not just about money. 👉 It's not just about the market. 👉 It's not just about rates. We'll cover: The hidden traps of "learning...

Think you have to be a GP to succeed in real estate? Think again. In this no-fluff episode, I break down the four real levers that determine your success in multifamily: time, experience, education, and capital . Whether you're short on cash but loaded with hustle—or sitting on capital but strapped for time—you'll discover exactly where you fit in this game. I'll show you how to build wealth witho...

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...

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...

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 a...

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,...

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 t...

"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 b...

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 gam...

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, st...

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 s...

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 serio...

Think managing your own rentals is saving you money? Think again. In this raw, no-holds-barred episode, Nico pulls back the curtain on third-party property management—and why it can be the  key  to scaling your multifamily business or the  trapdoor  that kills your cash flow. Whether you own 10 units or 100, this episode is packed with hard-won insights on: ✅ The real  cost of self-management ✅...

$60,000 lost before. $20,000 on the line again. One investor bailed. Another hesitated. My lender dragged their feet. And I signed the closing documents  while waiting tables  at my second job—between orders and clearing tables. This is the final chapter in the raw, chaotic, and  very real  story of how I closed on a 6-unit apartment building—juggling three jobs, a full family life, and relentless...

Struggling to get brokers and sellers to take you seriously? You're not alone.  The #1 challenge for new (and even experienced) multifamily investors isn't just finding deals—it's  proving you're a closer.  That's where a  Credibility Kit comes in. In today's episode, I'm breaking down: ✅  What a Credibility Kit is  and why it's a game-changer for real estate investors ✅  How to build one in les...

🚀 The Tiny Wins That Build Big Multifamily Fortunes 🚀 Most people think success in multifamily real estate comes from one massive deal —but that's a lie. The truth? It's built on small, repeatable wins that stack over time until you become an unstoppable force. In this episode, I break down the tiny wins that move the needle and how you can leverage them to explode your investing game. 🔥 What Y...

Winning in multifamily isn't about luck—it's about strategy, mindset, and execution . The best investors don't just buy properties; they build legacies . In today's episode, I'm breaking down 4 power moves that separate the real players from the amateurs in multifamily real estate. Whether you're a new investor looking to land your first deal or a seasoned pro trying to navigate this shifting mark...

Episode 239: We Risked $15K to Save $50K – The High-Stakes Battle to Close Our 6-Unit Deal (Part 2) What really happens behind the scenes of a multifamily deal before the closing table? Spoiler: it's never smooth. In this episode, I'm giving you the raw, unfiltered update on our 6-unit acquisition in Plant City, Florida. We're still under contract, but it's been a rollercoaster of tight deadlines,...

So, you've decided you want to be a multifamily real estate investor —but now what? Feeling stuck because you don't have a business name, logo, or email signature? Overwhelmed by the back-end setup that no one talks about? In this episode, I break down the exact steps you need to take to launch your real estate investing brand the right way —fast. From choosing between a personal brand vs. company...

Nobody sees the hours you put in—the late nights, the early mornings, the deals that slip away. But this is the game, and if you're in it, you already know: multifamily real estate investing is a battle won by those who refuse to quit. In this raw, no-script episode , I break down: ✅ The 10 offers I submitted this week—and why only one got accepted ✅ How to structure deals, raise capital, and ne...

The multifamily investing game has changed dramatically over the past few years, and 2025 is no exception. With interest rates still high, cap rates adjusting, and investors on the sidelines , how do you find real opportunities in today's market? In this episode of The Small Axe Podcast , I'm breaking down the exact strategies smart investors are using to navigate the shifting landscape. If you're...

Multifamily real estate can build wealth—but it can also break you. In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the side of investing that no one talks about. You see all the wins on social media—big deals, massive cash flow, financial freedom—but what about the challenges? The long hours, the financial risks, the emotional rollercoaster? If you're thinking about getting into multifamily, you NEED...