The Property Academy Podcast

If you own an investment property, your property manager will send you inspection reports. But here’s the catch – most landlords don’t actually know what to do with them. In this episode, Ed and Andrew crack open real inspection reports from their own rentals to show you what matters, what doesn’t, and how to avoid unnecessary stress. You’ll learn: How to spot hidden problems before they become ex...

Imagine this: you buy a brand-new property, but the shower is leaking, the bathroom is getting damaged… and the developer’s gone bust. What do you do? In this episode, Ed and Andrew reveal the forgotten gem of NZ’s legal system: the Disputes Tribunal. You don’t need a lawyer, it only costs a couple hundred dollars, and you could win up to $30,000. You’ll learn: How the Disputes Tribunal works (and...

Build-to-rent (BTR) is taking off in New Zealand, with major players pumping hundreds of apartments into the rental market. But will this solve the housing crisis – or just make a small dent? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down how build-to-rent works, who’s behind it, and what it means for investors, renters, and the wider housing market. You’ll learn: How BTR could add 25,000 new rental ho...

When a tenant stops paying rent, it can feel like a nightmare. In this episode, Ed and Andrew walk you through exactly what to do (and when) so you can protect your cash flow and your property. They share real stories from landlords about tenants who vanished without notice or only paid when repeatedly chased. You’ll learn: The 3-step process to follow when a tenant misses rent The 3 tactics every...

Building your own home sounds like a dream, but getting the bank on board is often the hardest part. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down exactly how to secure finance if you want to go DIY, including what deposit you’ll need, how the money gets released, and the big risks banks worry about. You’ll learn: Why most banks get nervous when you pick up the hammer yourself The 3 key risks (complet...

Not all property markets are created equal. Some regions are booming… while others are ticking time bombs. In this episode, Ed and Andrew hunt for the single riskiest place in New Zealand to buy property – and reveal the three warning signs that should make any investor think twice. You’ll learn: The 3 types of risk that can crush your returns The regions that top each category Why one region tick...

Josie’s property journey has had its fair share of twists. From saving her first house deposit while on her OE to buying her first rental in Christchurch, only to have it hit by the earthquakes and sold “as is, where is”. In this episode, she shares how she and her husband built a portfolio of 2.5 investment properties, and the tough call of whether to reduce debt or keep buying. You’ll learn: How...

The Foreign Buyer Ban has been one of New Zealand’s most controversial housing policies. The National-led government has changed the rules. In this episode, Ed and Andrew are joined by Mark Harris (Managing Director of NZ Sotheby’s International Realty) to unpack what this really means. You’ll learn: Who can now legally buy property in NZ under the new rules The types of homes that overseas buyers...

Loan sharks are still operating in New Zealand – charging desperate families up to 800% interest for small loans to cover basics like food, rent, and power bills. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Vijay Farley-Naiker from Ngā Tāngata Microfinance to expose the tactics these lenders use, and what support is available for those trapped in debt. You’ll learn: How loan sharks lure people in...

Developers often pitch furniture packages as a quick and easy way to get your new property rental-ready. But are they really worth the $35,000 price tag … or are you just paying for convenience? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into a real example of a $35k furniture pack for a Queenstown townhouse and compare it against what you’d spend furnishing the same property yourself. You’ll learn: What’...

Some tenants say landlords are greedy, careless, or even exploitative. And while many investors are fair and responsible, there are real horror stories that explain why tenants sometimes feel this way. In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the frustrations tenants talk about most – from sudden rent hikes to mouldy houses and landlords who show up unannounced. They also share what it actually tak...

“House prices crash!” “Full-blown meltdown!” The headlines scream disaster, but is the media really telling the truth … or just playing with your emotions? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down how Stuff, the Herald, and OneRoof frame the property market — and why their clickbait headlines might be costing you money if you panic and make the wrong move. You’ll learn: Why negative headlines get...

Not all countries are created equal when it comes to property investment. In this episode, Ed and Andrew put different markets head-to-head — scoring them on tax rules, house price growth, rental yields, affordability, and whether Kiwis can even buy there. From the US and UK to Spain, Dubai, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand itself, you’ll hear the good, the bad, and the ugly of investing over...

Karen and her husband have built a 3-property portfolio … but was every purchase a winner? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack their journey, the choices they made, and whether one of their Hamilton investments was actually a mistake. You’ll learn: How this couple managed to buy 3 properties while paying off their personal mortgage early Why two of their Hamilton investments raised doubts — and...

Most first-home buyers start by scrolling listings on Trade Me and guessing what they can afford. But that’s often misleading – because sellers (and agents) control which price bracket their property appears in. In this episode, Ed and Andrew walk you through a step-by-step process to find the right property and avoid overpaying — and the whole thing can be done in under 22 minutes. You’ll learn:...

Sometimes the truth hurts – but it’s what you need to hear if you want to build real wealth. In this episode, Ed and Andrew share 8 pieces of brutal money advice that cut through the fluff and force you to face your financial future. You’ll learn: Why wanting to be rich isn’t enough (and what actually moves the needle) The limit of cutting back – and why earning more is often the only answer The r...

It’s the nightmare scenario every investor worries about: the market crashes, your property value halves, you lose your job … and you’re left with nothing but debt. In this episode, Ed and Andrew tackle that fear head-on. They walk through what a true worst-case scenario might look like – and why it’s often not as devastating as you think once you break it down. You’ll learn: The 3-step process to...

One investor in Rolleston just saw their council rates nearly double overnight – going from $2,351 to $5,117 a year. That’s a 118% jump. What on earth is going on? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the story behind the shock rates bill, why new builds are especially at risk, and how you can make sure you’re not blindsided by the same problem. You’ll learn: Why brand-new properties can see ra...

Most Kiwis assume that once they hit 65, they’ll automatically qualify for NZ Super. But that’s not always the case. In fact, thousands of people will miss out entirely – even if they’re New Zealand citizens. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the surprising rules that can stop you from receiving Super, and the “gotchas” you need to watch out for. You’ll learn: The exact criteria you need t...

Most investors think the biggest risk is choosing the wrong strategy. But the real danger isn’t what you invest in … it’s how you behave . In this episode, Ed and Andrew reveal the $200,000 mistake most investors don’t realise they’re making: switching in and out of investments at the wrong time. We show you how emotional decisions can quietly drain your returns – and why staying the course often...

Dan and Marie from Wellington took on a challenge most Kiwis wouldn’t dare – they built not one, but two of their own homes. In this episode, they share the ups and downs of going DIY, what they’d never do again, and how that hands-on experience shaped their journey into property investing. You’ll learn: What really happens when you pick up the hammer and try to build your own home Why they shifte...

What would you do if your investment property dropped nearly $200,000 in value? In this episode, Ed and Andrew tackle one of the toughest calls an investor can face – whether to sell at a loss or hold on and ride it out. You’ll hear about a real listener who bought a new-build in Kāpiti Coast that’s now worth $196,000 less than he paid. Instead of leaving the market altogether, he’s asking: should...

Would a capital gains tax crush the housing market? Or would it barely make a dent? In this episode, Ed and Andrew explore the evidence from other countries like Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US to see what really happens when a CGT is introduced. You’ll learn: Whether a CGT would cause NZ house prices to drop in the first five years How overseas housing markets have performed with a CGT Why...

What happens if your home is destroyed in a flood, but the land underneath it is no longer safe to live on? Until now, governments and councils have stepped in with billion-dollar buyouts – but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says that era might be over. In this episode, we unpack what this shift could mean for homeowners and property investors, and whether the risks of buying in certain areas ar...

For years, investors got used to borrowing at low rates. But with interest costs climbing, many are now asking: is this the end of cheap money? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the “grey wave” theory — the idea that retiring baby boomers will reshape global savings and push interest rates higher. But does the data really support that? And what does it mean for property prices here in New...