The Property Academy Podcast

Is New Zealand actually the easiest country in the world to buy property? In this episode, Ed and Andrew compare NZ’s property system to the UK, Australia, France, and the US – and uncover why buying here is surprisingly simple. You’ll learn: Why NZ is one of the easiest countries in the world to buy property The unusual way our tax and agent system works The one thing that’s really, really hard a...

Can you use a student loan to pay down your investment property? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack a clever question from a listener who wondered whether she could borrow at 0% and use it to reduce mortgage debt. You’ll learn: Whether it’s actually legal to use student loan living costs to pay down a mortgage How this strategy works at different income levels Which parts of a student loan you...

What level of property investor are you? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the 7 levels of property investment – from complete beginner to mega landlord – and help you figure out exactly where you are (and what it takes to move up). You’ll learn: The 7 stages of property investing ... and which one you’re currently at How many Kiwis reach each level What’s holding investors back at each st...

What does it look like to invest in Shanghai, build New Zealand’s largest IKEA parallel importing business… and then pivot into commercial property development across the country? In this Case Study Sunday episode, Sudhir shares his unusual journey through international property, entrepreneurship, and large-scale development. You’ll learn: How Sudhir started investing in Shanghai back in 2007 How...

Got all your properties with one bank? That could be a problem. In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack cross-collateralisation – what it is, why banks love it, and the three biggest risks it creates for property investors. You’ll learn: The 3 biggest risks of having all your properties secured with one bank What cross-collateralisation actually means (in plain English) Why property investors should...

Will you need to work until 72… or can you make retirement cheaper than you think? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack the retirement debate – from calls to raise the NZ Super age to surprising data showing many retirees might not need as much as they believe. You’ll learn: The 4 ways to make your retirement significantly cheaper (or more expensive) The data showing retirement spending often fal...

We bought a property together… and now we hate each other. It sounds dramatic, but it happens more often than you think. In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack three real New Zealand cases where co-ownership went badly wrong — and the one document that could have prevented every single one. You’ll learn: 3 true stories of property partnerships that ended up in court Why doesn’t the bank care who “s...

The government just made a massive housing U-turn. Auckland’s theoretical housing capacity has been slashed by 400,000 homes, from 2 million down to 1.6 million. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down what’s actually going on behind the headline ... and what it really means for property investors. You’ll learn: What the government’s housing U-turn actually changes Whether Auckland was ever goin...

“16 reasons why it’s all over for mum-and-dad property investors.”That was the headline. But is property investment actually dead? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack Tony Alexander’s article, separate the headline from the reality, and dive into what the data really says about investors in 2026. You’ll learn: The 16 headwinds facing everyday property investors Whether Tony Alexander actually th...

Living overseas but want to invest in New Zealand property? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down exactly how it works in 2026 – who can legally buy, how to structure it properly, and the biggest mistake overseas investors make. You’ll learn: Who can (and can’t) buy NZ property from overseas The step-by-step process to invest from abroad The #1 hurdle most overseas investors run into Investing...

How does a 22-year-old save $100,000 in just four years – on a low income, with no help from Mum and Dad? In this Case Study Sunday episode, George shares the raw, unfiltered story of how he bought his first home completely on his own ... and the sacrifices it took to get there. You’ll learn: How George saved over $100k while fully supporting himself What he sold – including his ute (and his ego)...

Do you actually know if you’re getting wealthier? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the one number every property investor needs to track – and why most people either obsess over it… or completely ignore it. You’ll learn: The #1 number that tells you whether you’re actually getting ahead The extremes some investors go to track it (including weekly property value updates) How to track your...

“Ed, your property portfolio sux.” That’s the comment that kicked off this episode. In today’s show, Ed and Andrew read out a brutally honest viewer comment claiming Ed's new-build portfolio is nothing more than “market-rider properties” ... and that only older houses with land make sense. You’ll learn: The 3 strongest arguments for why Ed’s portfolio “sucks” What the data actually says about...

Is Hanmer Springs actually a good place to invest, or does it just feel like one? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the numbers behind one of New Zealand’s favourite alpine getaway towns. You’ll learn: Whether Hanmer Springs stacks up as a pure investment How much money you could realistically make – from long-term rent to Airbnb The exact framework to analyse any town in New Zealand This...

AA Insurance has quietly stopped issuing new house insurance policies in parts of New Zealand. So what does that actually mean for homeowners and investors? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down what’s really going on behind the headlines ... and why this matters far more than most people realise. You’ll learn: Why AA Insurance paused new home and landlord policies in Rolleston and other subur...

We Were Wrong. Here’s the Evidence. In this episode, Ed and Andrew pull back the curtain and own up to the biggest mistakes they’ve made on the Property Academy podcast. You’ll learn: The major calls we got wrong and what actually happened instead The forecasting mistakes that still haunt us The listener who’s got a bone to pick with Andrew This episode isn’t about beating ourselves up. It’s about...

Is financial advice in New Zealand a scam? In this episode, Ed and Andrew pull back the curtain on what financial advisers really do, why so many Kiwis are sceptical, and how to tell the difference between good advice and advice that quietly empties your wallet. You’ll learn: Why do people think financial advice is a scam How financial advisers really get paid Which type of adviser do you actually...

What would you do differently if you could start your property journey again? In this Case Study Sunday episode, Nikki shares how she built a three-property portfolio over 10 years – what went right, what went wrong, and the lessons she learned the hard way (especially with apartments). You’ll learn: How she almost doubled her money on a Wellington house and sold just outside the bright-line perio...

What happens when your life insurance application gets declined? In this episode, Ed shares the honest reason his life insurance was turned down – and the surprising process that most Kiwis don’t realise sits behind getting properly covered. You’ll learn: The real reason Ed’s life insurance was postponed What “underwriting” actually involves What to do if your insurance is declined, postponed, or...

Ever applied for a mortgage thinking, “Of course I can afford this”… only to worry the bank might say no? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down how banks really decide whether to approve your mortgage — and why what you see on your budget can look completely different from what the bank sees on theirs. You’ll learn: How banks actually assess your income The stress-tested interest rate they use...

The OCR has stayed at 2.25%. No surprise there. But in this episode, Ed and Andrew explain why what the Reserve Bank said matters more than what it did – and what that means for your mortgage, your strategy, and house prices. You’ll learn: What the latest OCR decision really signals about the direction of interest rates Why inflation is still sitting above 3% What to expect for mortgage rates over...

In this special bonus episode, you'll hear the audio from the recent Property Live webinar where we looked at "The 5 worst places to invest in NZ" In this podcast you'll learn: The 5 worst places to invest in NZ The 5 worst properties to buy And the 5 worst property companies to work with Don't forget to  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Is financial advice in New Zealand a scam? In this episode, Ed and Andrew pull back the curtain on what financial advisers really do, why so many Kiwis are sceptical, and how to tell the difference between good advice and advice that quietly empties your wallet. You’ll learn: Why do people think financial advice is a scam How financial advisers really get paid Which type of adviser do you actually...

Interest rates are rising again ... but not in the way most Kiwis think. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down which mortgage rates are actually going up, how high they could go next, and the big question: how long should you fix for in 2026? You’ll learn: Which rates are rising (and which aren’t) How high the OCR could go How to choose between 1, 2 or 3-year fixes If you’ve been waiting for r...

Can you really earn $10,000 a month from property ... and what does it actually take? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the exact numbers behind earning $120,000 a year from property, including the two very different strategies investors use to get there. You’ll learn: The exact net yield and property value needed to reach $10k a month The two proven paths investors use Why are mortgages t...