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
Dec 19, 2025 • 22min
How to Use the Retirement Expenditure Guidelines (And How NOT To)⎥Ep. 2291
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 revealHow to use – and how not to use – the Retirement Expenditure GuidelinesWhat to do if the big retirement numbers feel overwhelmingThis episode gives you a clear, evidence-based way to understand what retirement might actually cost – and how to build a plan without getting lost in the numbers.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
Dec 18, 2025 • 14min
They Mortgaged the House to Start a Business – Here’s What Happened⎥Ep. 2290
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 ventureWhy over $1.1 billion was taken out of Kiwi homes last year for business purposesThe hidden risks most first-time founders never see comingThis episode shows how using your mortgage can be a powerful way to become your own boss – but also why.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
Dec 17, 2025 • 18min
We Set Big Goals Last Year … Did We Actually Achieve Them?⎥Ep. 2289
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 yearHow to set money and property goals that actually stick The new goals they’re committing to for 2026 This episode shows that progress isn’t always linear, some goals change as life does, and even seasoned investors sometimes need to prioritise debt reduction over buying the next property.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
Dec 16, 2025 • 20min
Why Your DIY Renovations Go Over Budget (and How to Avoid It)⎥Ep. 2288
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 investorsWhen to manage a reno yourself vs. hiring a full-service renovation teamThe biggest traps that cause renovation budgets to spiralIf you’re planning a project in 2025, this episode shows how to spend smart – not more – and turn every dollar into a genuine gain.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
Dec 15, 2025 • 18min
How to Choose a Financial Adviser (The Process Revealed)⎥Ep. 2287
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 needThe 5 steps to shortlist, check, and compare advisersThe key details you must look for before booking a meetingThis episode provides a clear, practical framework for choosing the right adviser with confidence, enabling you to get the plan, advice, and follow-through you need.In this episode we mentioned MoneyHub's list of financial advisers originally published by Mary Holm.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Dec 14, 2025 • 10min
We Found the Cheapest Bank (and It’s Not What You Think)⎥Ep. 2286
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 Why some banks appear more expensive, but aren’t once you negotiate How to read between the lines so you don’t get fooled by advertised ratesThis episode helps you choose the bank that truly gives you the best deal, and it's better to work with a mortgage adviser.And if you'd like to book a free meeting with one of the Opes Mortgages team, just click the link.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Dec 13, 2025 • 16min
How to Build a 3-Property Portfolio in Your Early 30s (Even on an Average Income)⎥Ep. 2285
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 opportunityThe clever negotiation that saved $20k on a Christchurch co-ownership dealWhat buying from family taught him about money, boundaries, and mindsetJosh’s journey shows that you don’t need luck to get started – just a plan, persistence, and a few unconventional choices.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
Dec 12, 2025 • 17min
How Long Does It Really Take to Buy a House in NZ? The Honest Timeline⎥Ep. 2284
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 decisionThe fastest and slowest property purchases Ed and Andrew have ever seenThis episode provides a clear and realistic picture of how long buying really takes, and how focusing on your needs (not endless wants) can help you move faster and with far less stress.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
Dec 11, 2025 • 13min
New Zealand's Insane Property Obsession Explained⎥Ep. 2283
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 countriesHow events like the 1987 sharemarket crash pushed a whole generation toward “safe as houses” Whether government policies secretly steer us toward propertyEd and Andrew delve into the Kiwi mindset to understand why property has become the default route to wealth, despite the majority of Kiwis not owning investment properties.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
Dec 10, 2025 • 15min
Inside the FMA’s Routine Check-Up: What Really Happened⎥Ep. 2282
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 OpesWhat it’s actually like to sit in front of the country’s financial regulatorThe three key improvements the FMA required – and how Opes has respondedThis episode shows how regulation protects investors, and why transparency makes for a stronger, more trustworthy business.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
