The Property Academy Podcast

Some Kiwis sacrifice everything for their future. Others spend it all today and hope it’ll work out. But what’s the right balance when you want to enjoy life now without sabotaging tomorrow? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the real tension between investing for the future and living a little today. You’ll learn: How to decide when to invest and when to spend (without regret) The #1 way to...

You don’t need to stop earning an income at 65, but the smartest ways to do it aren’t always obvious. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down six different ways to earn income at 65 – from term deposits to managed funds to property income – and reveal the hidden catches in each option. You’ll learn: How long $1 million really lasts across different options • The pros and cons of six retirement-i...

How to avoid unnecessary costs, stress, and headaches so your properties stay profitable? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the biggest mistakes landlords keep making (and why they cost far more than most people realise). You’ll learn: The most common landlord errors that quietly drain your returns How simple admin and process mistakes turn into expensive problems The smarter way to manage...

Nicole was terrified to hit “send” on the email that got her here. But now, at just 30, she and her fiancé own three properties. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Nicole to discuss how she overcame her fear, learned the numbers, and used her $3 million Wealth Gap as motivation to take action. You’ll learn: How Nicole built a 3-property portfolio by 30 What a $3 million Wealth Gap is, an...

Most Kiwis think they know what makes a house worth more, but the real answers are often totally different once you look at the data. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Nick Goodall, Head of Research at Cotality NZ, to unpack the country’s Hedonic Index – a new way to measure property values by analysing a home’s individual features. You’ll learn: The real features that make a house more...

Economists are supposed to predict the future, but how do they actually do it? And how accurate are those forecasts, really? In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Sharon Zollner, Chief Economist at ANZ New Zealand, to reveal how economists build (and sometimes miss) their predictions. You’ll learn: The maths, data, and gut instinct that go into a forecast Why house sales, interest rates, an...

The Reserve Bank has just delivered its final OCR cut of the year ... but what does that mean for mortgages, investors, and house prices heading into 2026? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack the numbers from the latest announcement and explain why this cut might be the last one in this cycle. You’ll learn: How far has the OCR fallen this year Whether mortgage rates could keep dropping – or star...

If you’ve built a property portfolio, at some point you’ll face the tough question – which one should you sell first? In this episode, Ed and Andrew explain how to decide what to sell, when to sell, and how to make sure you walk away with the most money possible. You’ll learn: The 6 most common reasons investors sell Why selling your “worst” property isn’t always the smartest financial move How to...

If you’ve ever looked at buying a property in Christchurch, you’ve probably seen TC Zones on the map. But do they still matter today, and what do they actually mean for you? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack what TC1, TC2, and TC3 really mean, how they were created, and whether they’re still useful in 2026. You’ll learn: What TC Zones are and how they relate to liquefaction risk Why are site-s...

Most investors scroll through Trade Me and hope to “spot” a deal. But Ed and Andrew reveal there’s a smarter, systematic way to filter out the duds and find the winners. In this episode, you’ll learn: 7 proven hacks to find property deals before anyone else sees them How to identify motivated sellers (and avoid costly reno traps) The #1 data tool to analyse whether a property’s really a deal or ju...

What happens when your career has an expiry date? Ian West, a professional cricket coach, turned to property to secure his financial future. In this episode, Ed and Andrew chat with Ian about how he and his wife bought two investment properties, and how he’s applying his coaching mindset to build long-term wealth off the pitch. You’ll learn: How Ian turned financial uncertainty into a clear invest...

Banks are throwing around some of the biggest cashbacks we’ve ever seen – up to 1.5% just for moving your mortgage. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the banks’ new massive cashback deals, who qualifies, and how long they’ll last. You’ll learn: Which banks are offering the biggest cashbacks The rules, clawbacks, and traps that could wipe out your profit How do you get that massive cashback...

If Labour brings in a Capital Gains Tax, does that mean investing in property is over, and shares become the better option? In this episode, Ed and Andrew run the numbers to find out which performs better once tax is factored in. You’ll learn: Whether property still beats shares when a Capital Gains Tax applies How leverage shapes your total return When shares actually outperform, and when propert...

Ever thought you were a shoo-in for mortgage approval … only for the bank to slash your borrowing in half? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack a real-life case study where a couple thought they’d secured a mortgage – until the bank said otherwise. You’ll learn: The real reasons strong-looking applications get turned down 4 actions you can take today to boost your mortgage approval chances How hi...

Buying your first investment property is exciting, until you realise it already has tenants. What happens next? In this episode, Ed and Andrew walk through the exact steps to take when you inherit a tenant, from transferring the bond to managing your first inspection. You’ll learn: The 6 key things you need before taking ownership How to handle the bond, rent increases, and tenancy agreements corr...

Should you hire a property manager or manage the property yourself? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the real numbers, time commitment, and stress levels to find out which approach actually makes sense. You’ll learn: The actual cost difference between DIY and a property manager How many hours will you actually spend managing your own rental When hiring a property manager is a necessity Ed a...

Most Kiwis dream of a comfortable retirement – but what if you could retire filthy rich instead? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack five smart, practical strategies to help you hit the top 20% of retirees in New Zealand (that’s around $1,630 a week). You’ll learn: 5 different retirement strategies that actually work How to use your own home to fund your retirement without selling it Why you mig...

At just 20 years old, Tony ran the numbers and decided five rental properties could set him financially free. Now in his 40s, he’s well on his way – building a global property portfolio spanning the UK and New Zealand. In this episode, Ed and Andrew chat with Tony about how a spreadsheet turned into a real portfolio, the lessons learned along the way, and the pivotal decision to switch advisers mi...

When the Reserve Bank cuts the OCR, how long does it actually take for the banks to follow? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into two years of real data to reveal which banks move fastest, how long rate cuts really take, and whether it’s worth floating your mortgage before a drop. You’ll learn: The median time it takes each major bank to cut rates after the OCR falls Which banks move the fastest...

Big news for property investors – from 1st December 2025, the pet bond law takes effect, reshaping how landlords and tenants handle pets in rentals. In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack what this means for both sides – when you can say no to pets, when you can’t, and how to protect your investment under the new rules. You’ll learn: How the new pet bond works When it’s reasonable to decline a pet...

You’ve built equity in your first home, so should you sell it or keep it as a rental when you upgrade? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down one of the biggest questions homeowners face, revealing when keeping your home as an investment makes sense … and when it’s a trap in disguise. You’ll learn: How to tell if your home would make a good investment property The mistake that makes investors t...

Donald Trump wants to introduce 50-year mortgage terms in the US – a move that could shake global property markets. In this episode, Ed and Andrew explore what it means, why it matters, and whether something similar could ever happen here in New Zealand. You’ll learn: How 50-year mortgages could make repayments cheaper – but homes more expensive Why longer loan terms might help more buyers get in...

Many Kiwis plan to sell the family home and buy something smaller to fund retirement. But does downsizing still work in 2025, or is it another myth about ageing gracefully? In this episode, Ed and Andrew explore when downsizing pays off and when it leaves you short. You’ll learn: 3 reasons downsizing fails and 4 times it actually works How timing (before 72) can make or break your plan Why some re...

After 23 years in the market, a Wellington couple has lost half a million dollars investing in property. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the real reasons their plan fell apart, and what they (and others) could do to get back on track. You’ll learn: Why property investing doesn’t always work out – and when it can fail The biggest mistake investors make when structuring their debt How gett...

At 14, Charlie biked to the local stockbroker’s office with a cheque in hand to buy his first shares. 25 years later, that same drive had turned into a portfolio of 4 investment properties across Auckland and the Waikato. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Charlie to unpack how his early money lessons turned into a lifelong investing mindset. You’ll learn: The real reason Charlie kept bu...