Why Small Wins Matter More Than You Think
Most people believe success in real estate comes from landing one massive deal. They picture an investor swooping in, closing a 100-unit complex, and walking away with instant financial freedom.
But here’s the truth:
👉 Big wins are built on small, consistent victories.
If you want to succeed in multifamily real estate investing, you need to focus on stacking tiny wins every single day—from getting a broker to call you back to refining your underwriting speed.
In this post, I’m breaking down the small wins that separate real closers from the ones still struggling to find their first deal.
🚀 Read on if you’re ready to start stacking your own wins and building your multifamily fortune.
1️⃣ The First Big Hurdle: Getting Brokers to Call You Back
Most new investors hit a brick wall right out of the gate.
They reach out to brokers, send emails, leave voicemails… and get nothing but radio silence.
Why? Because brokers only want to work with closers.
🔑 Here’s the small win: If you can get a broker to respond, you’re already ahead of 90% of the competition.
How to Get Brokers to Take You Seriously:
✅ Use a professional one-pager. This introduces who you are, your buying criteria, and why you’re a credible buyer. (Grab my free template at www.smallaxecommunities.com).
✅ Follow up RELENTLESSLY. If they ignore your email, send another. If they ignore your call, leave another voicemail. Persistence wins.
✅ Make offers—even if you don’t close. The more offers you submit, the more brokers take you seriously.
💡 Small win: If a broker calls you back, it’s a victory. If they respond with deal details, that’s a HUGE step forward.
2️⃣ Underwrite Deals Faster & Smarter
When I started out, underwriting was painfully slow.
I’d spend hours analyzing a single deal, and by the time I was done, the opportunity was long gone.
🔑 Here’s the small win: The faster you underwrite deals, the more opportunities you can pursue.
How to Improve Your Underwriting Speed:
✅ Set a goal: Underwrite at least 3 deals per week.
✅ Start with the rent roll. If the numbers don’t work, move on FAST.
✅ Use the 1% rule (If you’re paying $100K per door, rents should be at least $1,000/month).
✅ Look at cap rates & price per door immediately. If they don’t meet your criteria, don’t waste time digging deeper.
💡 Small win: If you underwrite a deal in under 15 minutes and make a decision, you’re already operating at a pro level.
3️⃣ Negotiate Terms That Work for You
Most people think price is everything—but in reality, terms can make or break a deal.
🔑 Here’s the small win: Even if you don’t get the lowest price, you can still structure an offer that gives you the upper hand.
Powerful Negotiation Strategies:
✅ Always ask for seller financing. Even if they say no, you’re planting the seed.
✅ Request a 6-month interest-only period to improve cash flow.
✅ Offer a higher price in exchange for better terms. Sellers love bigger numbers—just make sure it works in your favor.
✅ Negotiate construction credits. Get the seller to cover some renovation costs.
💡 Small win: Even if the seller rejects your offer, you’ve learned what works and can refine your strategy for the next deal.
4️⃣ Build Your Network & Raise Capital
Think raising capital is about asking for money? Think again.
🔑 Here’s the small win: Building relationships comes BEFORE raising money.
How to Grow Your Network the Right Way:
✅ Talk to at least one new investor per week. Relationships compound over time.
✅ Offer value before asking for money. Share insights, deals, and strategies.
✅ Stay in touch year-round. The best investors don’t wait until they need money to reach out.
💡 Small win: If you have a single investor interested in funding a future deal, you’re ahead of the game.
5️⃣ Mastering Difficult Properties (The Unseen Win)
Struggling with a tough property? It might feel like a failure, but this is where real education happens.
I own a 44-unit property that has tested me like no other deal. High expenses, tenant issues, market challenges—it’s been a battle.
🔑 Here’s the small win: Every challenge is teaching me something invaluable for my next deal.
Lessons Learned from Managing a Tough Property:
✅ How to improve collections & cut costs. We increased our utility billback from $50 to $65 per unit.
✅ How to turn units faster & reduce vacancies.
✅ How to offer strategic concessions to retain good tenants.
💡 Small win: If you’re managing a tough deal right now, remind yourself—you’re becoming a better investor with every challenge.
Final Motivation: Your Small Wins Add Up
Every investor you admire started with these exact same small wins.
- Every broker call, every deal underwritten, every networking conversation—it all counts.
- Success isn’t about one giant leap. It’s about stacking tiny victories until you hit unstoppable momentum.
🔥 Now it’s your turn.
✅ Take action today. Underwrite a deal, call a broker, build a relationship.
✅ Celebrate the small wins. They’re the foundation of your future empire.
✅ Stay in the game. The only way to lose is to quit.
🚀 If you’re ready to take your real estate game to the next level, grab my FREE Multifamily Credibility Kit now:👉 www.smallaxecommunities.com
💬 Drop a comment below: What’s one small win you’ve had this week? Let’s celebrate the victories together!
🪓 Keep sharpening that axe, and let’s build something legendary.
