The Property Academy Podcast

The best investment strategy changes as you do. In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack how to invest at every stage of life – from your first job to your final pay cheque – and reveal the single most important number in investing (it’s not what you think). You’ll learn: What to invest in during your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond Why your time horizon matters more than your income or returns How much do...

Is success all about hard work, or just being in the right place at the right time? In this episode, Ed and Andrew go head-to-head to debate whether it’s effort, talent, or pure luck that determines who wins in life (and in investing). You’ll learn: Why Andrew believes hard work is the biggest driver of success Why Ed says luck plays a much bigger role than we like to admit How to “bend luck in yo...

Your brain wants wealth, but it also wants comfort. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the science of why even smart people make dumb money decisions … and how you can use behavioural tricks to build wealth automatically. You’ll learn: The two mental biases that secretly keep you poor Three money systems proven to grow your savings without willpower The surprising power of adding “friction”...

An “interest-free mortgage” sounds incredible, but is it really what it seems? In this episode, Ed and Andrew delve into Liberty Trust’s offer, examining how the scheme operates, identifying key red flags for investors to watch, and outlining essential questions to ask before making a decision. You’ll learn: How Liberty Trust’s interest-free loan scheme actually works The key risks hidden in donat...

Interest rates are falling ... but does that mean you should break your fixed-term mortgage early? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack when it’s smart to pay the break fee … and when it’s just an expensive mistake. You’ll learn: What break fees actually are (and how one investor paid a $20,000 penalty) How banks calculate these costs When breaking your loan makes sense Ed and Andrew break down r...

Most people are taught that debt is bad. But Ed and Andrew explain why the right kind of debt can actually make you wealthy – if you know how to use it. From poor-kid lessons to multi-million-dollar portfolios, they break down how the rich use leverage to grow their assets (and how you can too). You’ll learn: The key difference between good debt and bad debt Why the rich use debt to buy appreciati...

Amber and her husband bought their Auckland home at the height of the 2021 property boom. Four years later, they’ve smashed $200,000 off their mortgage, but the house still hasn’t regained its value. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Amber to unpack how she’s handled redundancy, financial pressure, and the emotional rollercoaster of waiting for recovery. You’ll learn: How Amber and her...

Thousands of Kiwis are making thousands of dollars ... without working an extra hour. In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack how homeowners are getting up to $5,000 (or more) just by switching banks, and whether refinancing your mortgage every few years is really worth it. You’ll learn: How cashbacks actually work, and how much the banks are offering right now The hidden costs, clawbacks, and fine...

For over half a century, politicians have promised – and failed – to bring in a Capital Gains Tax. In this episode, Ed and Andrew trace the 7 times politicians have tried (and failed) to introduce it, revealing what happened to house prices each time. You’ll learn: Every major attempt to introduce a Capital Gains Tax in NZ How each proposal shaped investor confidence and house prices Why has this...

Labour has just unveiled its plan for a new Capital Gains Tax (CGT) – one aimed squarely at property investors. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down exactly how it would work, who’s affected, and what it could mean for the housing market if Labour wins the 2026 election. You’ll learn: How the proposed 28% property-only CGT would be applied from July 2027 What investors need to watch for – inc...

Everyone budgets for a deposit and mortgage payments, but what about maintenance? In this episode, Ed and Andrew reveal the real cost of keeping your property in top shape (and how easily it can blow your budget). You’ll learn: How much do you really need to spend each year The 5 biggest maintenance costs that catch investors off guard Why cheap properties can still have expensive problems From re...

House prices are rising again … but is this the start of a genuine recovery, or just the usual Spring bounce? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the latest data, bank forecasts, and trends to find out what’s really happening in the property market. You’ll learn: The latest house price data, and what “seasonally adjusted” really means How the big banks and the Reserve Bank expect prices to mov...

In the property market, scams evolve rapidly and are becoming increasingly difficult to spot. In this episode, Ed and Andrew expose the five biggest traps Kiwis could fall into in 2026, from misleading developer schemes to deceptive data that overpromises returns. You’ll learn: How one investor lost $50k to a fake “lifetime property coaching” course The truth behind developer funds, rental guarant...

Sonja and Kurt spent two years working every weekend, juggling renovations, tenants, and full-time jobs – but their sacrifice is now paying off. In this episode, Ed and Andrew talk to the couple about how they went from a rural lifestyle block to a growing portfolio of investment properties. You’ll learn: The tenant renovation nightmare that almost broke them What it’s really like to self-manage a...

From private jet to financial failure – this is the true story of Du Val, once one of New Zealand’s high-profile property developers. In this episode, Ed and Andrew uncover how the company went from luxury branding and influencer marketing … to insolvency, raids, and hundreds of investors left out of pocket. You’ll learn: What really happened when the FMA and police raided Du Val’s founders How mu...

Every landlord fears getting stuck with a bad tenant, but how likely is it really? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into thousands of Tenancy Tribunal cases (yes, with help from AI and a Russian data scraper) to find out the truth. You’ll learn: The real odds of getting a bad tenant in New Zealand Whether property managers actually find better tenants than DIY landlords The 4 mistakes that almos...

Everyone wants the perfect property – one that skyrockets in value, pays for itself, and doesn’t cost a cent to buy. But Ed and Andrew reveal why that dream combo doesn’t exist … and how every investment comes with trade-offs. You’ll learn: Why you can only pick 2 out of 3: capital growth, cash flow, or no deposit How to use the Property Triangle to choose the right strategy for you Real examples...

From Spain’s ghost towns to Japan’s 86x land price surge, these real-world examples reveal what really happens when house prices go from hot … to hysterical. In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack the most explosive property booms the world has ever seen, and what caused them to crash. You’ll learn: The five biggest housing booms ever recorded, and what triggered them How much prices actually rose...

You’ve finally bought your first investment property, but what happens next? In this episode, Ed and Andrew walk through what your first 12 months as a property investor actually look like, step by step. You’ll learn: What to expect in the first year – from finding tenants to managing cash flow How to set up your accounts, top-ups, and inspections the smart way The #1 mistake first-time investors...

You’ve finally bought your first investment property, but what happens next? In this episode, Ed and Andrew walk through what your first 12 months as a property investor actually look like, step by step. You’ll learn: What to expect in the first year – from finding tenants to managing cash flow How to set up your accounts, top-ups, and inspections the smart way The #1 mistake first-time investors...

Buying one investment property can be scary, but buying two at the same time? That’s next-level. In this episode, Ed and Andrew speak with Alice from Tauranga, who purchased two new builds before buying their own home. You’ll learn: How Alice and her partner bought two properties at once The challenges of topping up mortgages during high interest rates Why building a long-term mindset matters more...

Sometimes, even experienced investors walk away from a deal, and that’s exactly what happened to Andrew. In this episode, Ed and Andrew go behind the scenes of a failed off-the-plan purchase in Christchurch and share what every investor can learn from it. You’ll learn: The 5 red flags that warn your developer might be in trouble What happened when Andrew’s apartment deal fell through Why walking a...

If your flatmate’s boyfriend or girlfriend keeps staying over, it might be costing you more than you think. In this episode, Ed and Andrew crunch the numbers to reveal just how much those extra nights add up – and what to do about it. You’ll learn: The real financial impact of a frequent overnight guest How the new Flat Guest Cost-O-Metre calculator went viral on 1News and ZM How to get your flatm...

Every investor faces the same question: Should I invest in property or shares? In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Mark Lister, Investment Director at Craigs Investment Partners, to settle the debate once and for all. You’ll learn: The key strengths and weaknesses of property vs shares (and which is best for your goals) Why Ed and Andrew sometimes get it wrong when talking about shares an...

We talk a lot about how much you need in retirement. But here’s the real question: what do retirees actually spend their money on once they stop working? In this episode, Ed and Andrew examine fresh Stats NZ data comparing the bottom 10% of over-65 spenders with the top 10%. The results are shocking. You’ll learn: How some retirees survive on just $344 a week – and what that lifestyle really looks...