The Property Academy Podcast

Buying your first investment property can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the entire process into eight clear steps, from choosing your strategy through to signing the contract and doing proper due diligence. You’ll learn: The step-by-step process for buying your first investment property How to choose the right strategy, region, budget and b...

Renovating your own home can be one of the best ways to build equity, but it can also turn into a financial (and emotional) nightmare if you don’t know where to start. In this episode, Ed and Andrew are joined by Peter Wolfkamp, The Resident Builder and host of Newstalk ZB’s Sunday morning show, to reveal how to DIY the smart way. You’ll learn: The #1 mistake most DIYers make with renovation budge...

What do property investors really want for Christmas? In this special holiday episode, Ed and Andrew unwrap last year’s wish list to see what Santa delivered … and which of them ended up with nothing but a lump of coal from the Reserve Bank. You’ll learn: What we wished for last Christmas, and which predictions actually came true The 2026 investor wishlist Which one of us clearly landed on the nau...

You’ve listed your property … the first offer comes in … but is it really the best one you’ll get? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the old real estate saying “the first offer is often the best” – and whether you should trust it or hold out for a higher price. You’ll learn: When it makes sense to reject an early offer and wait for competition Whether the “first offer is best” rule is genuin...

“Buy the worst house on the best street” – classic Kiwi advice … but is it actually good in 2025? In this episode, Ed and Andrew delve into the data behind this old property mantra, revealing when it works brilliantly and when it can turn into a costly mistake. You’ll learn: Whether the “worst house, best street” strategy still stacks up today What the numbers say about capital growth in top subur...

Do property investors really need a financial adviser – or can you just DIY it? In this episode, Ed and Andrew give an honest breakdown of what advisers actually do, what they cost, and the situations where you genuinely need one … and the ones where you absolutely don’t. You’ll learn: What a property investment adviser actually gives you How adviser fees work The 7 signs you do need an adviser …...

Tim’s journey from Army deployments to Antarctic expeditions – and later, the Aussie mines – wasn’t just about adventure. It was about financial independence. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Tim to unpack how he creates long-term wealth for his young family. You’ll learn: How a $170k Whanganui reno turned into a $365k success story How working overseas became his secret weapon to fund...

Most Kiwis wonder: How much do I actually need to retire – and what will I really spend? In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Associate Professor Claire Matthews, the researcher behind Massey University’s Retirement Expenditure Guidelines, to unpack what current retirees spend and what that means for your plans. You’ll learn: What the latest 2025 retirement spending numbers reveal How to u...

Most Kiwis dream of starting their own business, but what if your biggest source of startup capital is the home you already live in? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack how some Kiwi families use their mortgage to launch a business, including real stories from around the country. You’ll learn: How to borrow against your house to fund a new venture Why over $1.1 billion was taken out of Kiwi home...

Most people set big money goals at the start of the year … but how many of us actually follow through? In this episode, Ed and Andrew look back at the goals they set 12 months ago – and reveal whether they actually hit their 2025 targets. You’ll learn: Whether Ed and Andrew achieved their renovation, mortgage, and investment goals this year How to set money and property goals that actually stick T...

Some renovations look good on Pinterest – but won’t add a cent to your property’s value. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Wayne Gordon from Refresh Renovations to uncover the upgrades that actually boost your property’s return on investment. You’ll learn: Which renovations consistently deliver the highest ROI for Kiwi investors When to manage a reno yourself vs. hiring a full-service r...

Choosing a financial adviser can feel overwhelming – so how do you know who’s actually right for you? In this episode, Ed and Andrew reveal a simple 5-step process that every Kiwi can use to find an adviser who fits their goals. You’ll learn: How to decide which type of adviser you actually need The 5 steps to shortlist, check, and compare advisers The key details you must look for before booking...

Some banks look cheaper than others – but the real question is: which bank actually gives you the lowest mortgage rate once you dig into the data? In this episode, Ed and Andrew reveal what really happens when you compare every bank’s mortgage rates over time – and why the “cheapest” bank often isn’t the one you think. You’ll learn: Which banks consistently offer the lowest 1-year and 2-year rates...

By his early 30s, Josh had already built a 3-property portfolio – with homes in Twizel, Christchurch, and Milton. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Josh to unpack how he used creative saving tactics, family deals, and long-term planning to build wealth early. You’ll learn: How Josh turned a $210k section in Twizel into a future development opportunity The clever negotiation that saved $...

Most Kiwis know how long it takes to sell a house – but how long does it actually take to buy one? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the real timelines, from getting pre-approval to getting the keys, and why some buyers take months while others move in just weeks. You’ll learn: The true timeframe to buy a house How the “perfect property checklist” can stop you from ever making a decision T...

New Zealanders talk about property like it’s a national sport – but why? In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the underlying reasons behind our national obsession with property. You’ll learn: Where our property obsession actually comes from, and why it’s so different to other countries How events like the 1987 sharemarket crash pushed a whole generation toward “safe as houses” Whether governmen...

What really happens when the Financial Markets Authority turns up to review your business? In this episode, Ed and Andrew take you behind the scenes of the FMA’s monitoring visit to Opes – what the regulator looked for, what they found, and what it means for property investors. You’ll learn: Why the FMA visited Opes What it’s actually like to sit in front of the country’s financial regulator The t...

In this special bonus episode, you'll hear the audio from the recent Property Live webinar where we looked at "What's going to happen to the property market in 2026" In this podcast you'll learn: the predictions we got wrong last year what we think will happen next year And how the 2026 calendar looks For more from Opes Partners: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Townhouses are now a big slice of New Zealand’s new builds. But some investors worry these modern builds could look tired, cheap, or even slum-like in a decade. So … will they? In this episode, Ed and Andrew uncover what makes some townhouses age beautifully – while others fall apart. You’ll learn: 3 key warning signs a townhouse won’t age well Why cladding type, location, and upkeep make all the...

It’s never felt harder to find a good tenant – rents are stalling, and some properties are sitting empty for weeks. In this episode, Ed and Andrew ask economist Tony Alexander whether this is the new normal for landlords … or just another ugly part of the cycle. You’ll learn: The real reason it’s suddenly so hard to get a good tenant (and why it flipped so fast) When rents are likely to bounce bac...

House prices are finally moving again … but is this the start of a proper boom, or just another dead cat bounce? In this episode, Ed and Andrew ask economist Tony Alexander to look into his crystal ball and reveal what he really thinks will happen to New Zealand house prices over the next five years. You’ll learn: What Tony expects for house prices in 2026 – and the long-term growth rate he’s bett...

Christine bought her first home in Christchurch at just 23, with her parents going as guarantors. Fast-forward 30 years, and she and her husband Ross have built a nationwide portfolio. In this episode, Ed and Andrew chat with Christine about three decades of lessons – how smart investing, patience, and a bit of Kiwi grit built lasting wealth. You’ll learn: How Christine turned one guarantor home i...

New Zealand feels like it’s falling apart – shrinking GDP, rising unemployment, and a wave of Kiwis heading for Australia. In this episode, Ed and Andrew ask economist Tony Alexander the big question: Is the economy actually munted, or are we just in another normal cycle? You’ll learn: Why today’s downturn feels dramatic, but isn’t the worst we’ve seen The real reasons NZ swings harder than other...

Moving out of Auckland sounds like a fast track to a cheaper, quieter life – but how much money do you actually save? And what do you give up in return? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the real numbers behind selling up (or moving out) of Auckland and shifting to a smaller town. You’ll learn: How much you can save on housing, rent, commuting and daily expenses The trade-offs that hit you...

Interest rates have plunged nearly 3% in two years, but how long will the good times last? In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the latest forecasts, revealing when rates could fall further … and when they’re likely to turn and start creeping up again. You’ll learn: What the 1-year mortgage rate is predicted to do from now through 2027 How long should you consider fixing your mortgage Why can...