The Property Academy Podcast
Opes Partners
The Property Academy Podcast is a daily show that gives you insight, analysis and strategies for how to get the most out of the NZ property market.
It's hosted by Ed and Andrew from Opes Partners.
Ok, now for the legal bit. The Property Academy Podcast is for your general information. It’s not financial advice.
So the hosts aren’t telling you what to do with your own money. We’ve made every effort to make sure the information is accurate. But we occasionally get the odd fact wrong. Make sure you do your own research or talk to a financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
It's hosted by Ed and Andrew from Opes Partners.
Ok, now for the legal bit. The Property Academy Podcast is for your general information. It’s not financial advice.
So the hosts aren’t telling you what to do with your own money. We’ve made every effort to make sure the information is accurate. But we occasionally get the odd fact wrong. Make sure you do your own research or talk to a financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 24, 2026 • 21min
Which Makes You Richer – Property or Business? (It’s Not What You Think)⎟Ep. 2386
If you’ve got $600,000 to invest… should you buy a property or a business?In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the real numbers behind both options – from deposits and interest rates to returns, risk and repayment timeframes – so you can decide which path fits your goals.You’ll learn:How to decide whether to buy a property or a business Which makes you earn more money The strategy that the wealthiest people secretly useThe conclusion? It’s not property versus business. The smartest investors build income through business and then lock in long-term wealth through property – using each for what it does best.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 23, 2026 • 15min
The Wealth Mistake Most Homeowners Don’t Realise They’re Making⎟Ep. 2385
Most Kiwis think the goal is simple: buy a house, pay it off, and you’ll be financially secure. But that strategy can leave many people “Broke Rich.” You’ll learn:The #1 money mistake many Kiwis make The three traps that turn homeowners into “Broke Rich”What you can do instead to build wealth that actually supports your lifestyleEd and Andrew break down why many Kiwis end up asset-rich but cash-poor ... and how using equity to build income-producing investments can create far more flexibility later in life.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 22, 2026 • 16min
Is $100K, $250K, $500K and $1M Enough to Retire Comfortably?⎟Ep. 2384
Is $100k enough to retire? What about $250k, $500k… or even $1 million?In this episode, Ed and Andrew run the numbers on what different retirement balances actually buy you – assuming a mortgage-free couple both receiving NZ Super.You’ll learn:What lifestyle $100k, $250k, $500k and $1M can realistically fund in retirementThe three spending stages of retirementThe single factor that changes the maths more than anything elseThe biggest variable isn’t your KiwiSaver balance, it’s whether you own your home outright. That one factor can make or break your retirement maths.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 21, 2026 • 21min
Why Stretching Their Mortgage to 30 Years Helped Them Buy Again⎟Ep. 2383
How do you build a 4-property portfolio by your late 30s… when you started with a lifestyle block and made a bunch of it up as you went?In this Case Study Sunday, Ed and Andrew sit down with Adam and Nicole from Ashburton, to unpack how they went from their first home build to three rentals, and the money mindset shift that changed how they play the game.You’ll learn:What they’d do differently if they could start investing againHow they used bank pre-approval + a tiny Ashburton market to buy a rentalThe key mindset changeIf you’ve been trying to do everything yourself – or you’re torn between “pay off the mortgage fast” and “buy the next property” – this episode will help you see how real investors balance both.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 20, 2026 • 17min
The 5 Strangest Home Loans Available in New Zealand⎟Ep. 2382
Most people think non-bank lenders are just the “last resort.” But some of their loan products are surprisingly creative ... and can unlock deals that banks simply won’t touch.In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down some of the most interesting non-bank loan products available to Kiwi borrowers today.You’ll learn:The 5 most creative non-bank loan products and who they’re actually designed forWhat non-bank lending really costs How these loans help investors, developers, and self-employed borrowers This episode explores the tools banks don’t offer, and explains when they might actually make sense for property investors.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 19, 2026 • 15min
The Maintenance Bills That Catch Landlords Off Guard⎟Ep. 2381
What actually breaks in a rental, and what does it really cost?In this episode, Ed and Andrew walk through a rental property room by room to show what landlords actually end up fixing ... and the real NZ dollar figures behind it.You’ll learn:The most common things that break in kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and outsideHow much maintenance really costsWhy some years cost nothing, and others cost $8,000The key takeaway? Maintenance isn’t constant ... it’s lumpy. The smart move is to budget for it every year so the surprises don’t derail your returns.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 18, 2026 • 16min
Could a War in the Middle East Push Up Your Mortgage Rate?⎟Ep. 2380
War in the Middle East might feel far away ... but it could still affect the interest rate on your mortgage.In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down what the conflict involving Iran means for global oil prices, inflation, and the future of interest rates in New Zealand. You’ll learn:How the Iranian war impacts the cost of your mortgage Could interest rates really rise How high the price of petrol could goThis episode explains how the ripple effect could influence the OCR, mortgage rates, and whether fixing your loan for longer terms might start to make more sense.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 17, 2026 • 25min
Here’s How Much Landlords Really Add To New Zealand’s Economy (New Report)⎟Ep. 2379
Property investors get called everything from “parasites” to “rent thieves.” But what do landlords actually contribute to New Zealand’s economy?In this episode, Ed and Andrew interview Matt Ball from the NZ Property Investors Federation about new research that quantifies the real economic impact of property investors across the country. You’ll learn:How much do property investors really contribute to the NZ economy How landlord spending on maintenance and new builds supports more than 126k jobs across the countryWhy property investment creates a “ripple effect” that touches almost every industryWhether you love property investors or hate them, this episode digs into the real data behind their economic impact ... and it challenges the common idea that landlords simply collect rent without contributing anything.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 16, 2026 • 14min
How Old Is Too Old To Buy a Property?⎟Ep. 2378
How old is too old to buy a property?In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down what banks really think about age, and why turning 60 (or even 70) doesn’t automatically mean you’re out of the game.You’ll learn:Why age isn’t the real issue What it looks like for both buying your own home and an investment property Real scenarios showing what older Kiwis would need to get approvedThe short answer? Your 50s are absolutely not too late. Your early 60s can still work with the right structure. Late 60s and beyond gets harder ... but for the right borrower with a clear repayment strategy, it’s not impossible.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Mar 15, 2026 • 12min
What's Going on With NZ House Prices?⎟Ep. 2377
House prices are down 16% from the peak ... and even further once you adjust for inflation.So… is something broken?In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack what’s really going on in the NZ property market, and why a flat market isn’t as unusual (or as scary) as it feels.You’ll learn:Why flat property markets typically last 4 to 5 years between boomsHow affordability is quietly improving while prices go nowhereHow investors can still build wealth ... even if prices only rise with inflationAnd here’s the key: even if prices only track inflation, leverage and debt reduction can still deliver strong returns. A flat headline doesn’t mean a flat outcome – especially when you understand how the numbers actually work.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account and Wealth Plan here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
