The Property Academy Podcast

In this episode, we discuss whether it’s better to buy a New Build off the plans or go for one that’s already built — and which option could make (or cost) you more. You’ll learn: The pros and cons of buying off the plans vs completed New Builds Why some investors prefer the flexibility of a finished home And the hidden risks (and rewards) of locking in your deal early Not sure which type of New B...

In this episode, we discuss the harsh reality of living on NZ Super — especially if you’re still renting or paying off a mortgage at 70. For this, we're joined by Karen Billings-Jensen, the CEO of Age Concern NZ. You’ll learn: What life really looks like for older Kiwis living off the pension The tough choices some seniors are forced to make just to get by How to spot the signs of financial ab...

In this episode, we discuss what to do if you’ve accidentally found yourself as a property investor. You’ll learn: How to decide whether to keep or sell a property you didn’t plan to invest in The step-by-step Keep or Quit Quiz to guide your next move And how to set yourself up to buy your dream home (even if you buy a new investment property) If you’re not sure what to do next, get personalised a...

In this episode, we discuss the “bedroom bluff” — a sneaky trick where sellers advertise more bedrooms than a property really has. You’ll learn: How one woman lost $24,000 by buying a “3-bedroom” that was really just a 1-bedroom How to spot the bedroom bluff before you buy And how to protect yourself from overpaying for a property that doesn’t stack up When you’re buying an investment property, ev...

In this episode, we discuss the hidden Airbnb tax trap that could cost property investors over $150,000 — and how to avoid falling into it. You’ll learn: What the trap is and why so many short-term rental owners miss it How to avoid getting caught (and protect your profits) And how to get out of it if you’re already stuck If you’re running an Airbnb — or thinking about it — you need to understand...

In this episode, we discuss whether the government’s RMA reforms could be the policy that kills the housing crisis — or creates a whole new one. You’ll learn: What the new RMA changes actually mean for the property market Whether this could lead to a housing oversupply in some parts of the country And when these changes are expected to kick in and how they'll impact house prices in NZ If you’re a...

In this episode, we discuss how one investor (Raj) went from earning just $5 an hour to building a property portfolio worth $8.5 million. You’ll hear: How he grew a 12-property portfolio while raising kids and running a business What it really takes to build wealth from scratch•And how he bounced back after losing $1 million in the latest downturn. This is a raw, honest story of grit, growth, and...

In this episode, we discuss how to fire your property manager — without the awkward conversations or unnecessary drama. You’ll learn: The exact process for switching property managers (it’s easier than you think) What to watch out for in your management agreement And real-life examples of investors who’ve made the switch smoothly If you’re not getting the service you’re paying for, it’s time to ta...

In this episode, we discuss whether home-and-income properties are a smart way to boost your cashflow — or a financial trap in disguise. You’ll learn: How much capital growth these properties really achieve (based on fresh, never-before-seen data) What kind of income you can expect from them And how to tell if this strategy is right for your investment goals Curious how this strategy affects your...

In this episode, we discuss why investing during a flat property market might be one of the smartest moves you can make — even if it doesn’t feel that way. You’ll learn: Why flat markets often offer hidden opportunities for savvy investors The pros and cons of this approach (and what traps to avoid) What to focus on to stay the course and grow your portfolio through the cycle If you want to know w...

In this episode, we discuss whether foreign buyers could soon be let back into the New Zealand housing market — and what that might mean for house prices. You’ll learn: Why this policy could be back on the table sooner than you think Whether it could send property prices soaring (again) And what impact it might have on the value of your home As the market continues to shift, it’s more important th...

In this episode, we discuss how to stop the cashflow bleeding on your investment properties — and what to do if you think you’ve made a mistake. You’ll hear: The #1 thing to do if your investment is underperforming•How to tell if it’s time to pivot your strategy or hold the course A real-life case study of an investor who is trying to turn things around. If you’re feeling the financial pinch, this...

In this episode, we discuss how Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs could actually lead to lower mortgage interest rates here in New Zealand. You’ll learn: Why tariffs usually hurt the economy — and the case for why these ones might not be all bad How global events like this flow through to NZ interest rates And how Ed personally lost $6,500 in just 30 days (and what you can learn from it)It’s a mix o...

In this episode, we discuss how one young Kiwi (Phoebe) saved over $100,000 by the age of 21 and bought her first home while earning just $65,000 a year. You’ll hear: How she hustled on the side to grow her deposit faster•The steps she took to buy her first home at just 21 What she’s doing now to crush her mortgage and get ahead even fasterIf you’re wondering whether getting on the property ladder...

In this episode, we discuss New Zealand’s massive insurance problem — and how it could leave homeowners seriously out of pocket when disaster strikes. You’ll hear the shocking story of one Kiwi who was left $350,000 short after their insurance payout didn’t cover the full rebuild cost — plus: What’s behind NZ’s $184 billion underinsurance crisis•Why many policies don’t pay out what you think they...

In this episode, we discuss the shocking reality of what happens when tenants disappear without warning — and the nightmare some landlords are left to clean up. We share real-life stories of properties abandoned mid-tenancy, and walk you through: What to do when your tenant vanishes•How to legally take back control of your property And how to protect yourself from being left with a mess (or a mass...

In this episode, we break down the Reserve Bank’s latest move to cut the Official Cash Rate (OCR) – now sitting at 3.5%. You’ll learn: Why the Reserve Bank made the cut (the 5th in a row) What they think about Trump’s new tariffs and how they affect the NZ economy Which banks have already dropped their interest rates – including floating and test rates We also talk through what this all means for...

In this special bonus episode, you'll hear the audio from the recent Property Live webinar where we looked at ⁠what if you invested in property but it has lost value since you bought. In this podcast you'll learn: Why does it feel so bad? 3 reasons you shouldn't be so hard on yourself How to tell if your house was a dud We also share some tools to help you research : The Market Mover calculator Op...

In this episode, we discuss the government’s just-announced changes that make it easier and cheaper to build a granny flat or minor dwelling on your property. These changes could help you: Create extra income to fund your retirement costs Generate an extra $25,000+ in rental income (without buying a new house) We explain what’s changing, how the new rules work, and what it means if you’re a homeow...

In this episode, we discuss the top personal finance apps in New Zealand. Over two weeks, we tested three of the most popular tools: PocketSmith, Sortme, and YNAB (You Need A Budget). We looked at the cost, features, ease of use, and how well they help you stay on top of your money. You’ll learn: Which app got ★★★★++ and which one flopped The pros and cons of each tool — especially for NZ users an...

In this episode, we discuss how Andrew managed to negotiate a massive $116,000 discount off a property. We also share how much you can realistically shave off a purchase price in today’s market. We break down: The actual data on how much buyers are negotiating off properties in Auckland , Wellington , and Christchurch The discounts you can get off New Builds and existing properties And the tactics...

In this episode, we're joined for Case Study Sunday by Elliot. He's a West Coast investor who makes over $100,000 a year from a single Airbnb property in Franz Josef. Elliot breaks down: How much he actually takes home after costs The clever hacks he uses to attract high-paying guests And how he’d do it all again in today’s market. We also unpack what makes Franz Josef one of NZ’s top Airbnb spots...

In this episode, we discuss where to begin if you’re brand new to property investment . With over 2,000 episodes in the tank, it can be hard to know where to start. So in this one, we go through the basics of building wealth through property in New Zealand. You’ll learn: Whether you can actually afford to invest (even if you’ve got kids and a mortgage) The key decisions to make before you buy your...

In this episode, we discuss the “intention test”. It's a sneaky tax rule that could still land you with a surprise bill from the IRD, even if you’ve owned your investment for decades. You’ll learn: What the intention test is and how it actually works Real-life examples of when it does and doesn’t apply How to protect yourself from accidentally triggering a capital gains tax you didn’t see coming....

In this episode, we discuss what you could do if you had $4 million as a nest egg heading into retirement. They walk through a real scenario (involving a listener's parents), including: How much to spend on a new home How to split your money between shares, funds, and property And how to turn that cash into a reliable, long-lasting income to cover your retirement costs . You’ll learn how to pr...