

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

Nov 11, 2025 • 13min
Trump's 50-Year Mortgages Plan: Housing Saviour or Financial Disaster?⎥Ep. 2253
Donald Trump wants to introduce 50-year mortgage terms in the US – a move that could shake global property markets.In this episode, Ed and Andrew explore what it means, why it matters, and whether something similar could ever happen here in New Zealand.You’ll learn:How 50-year mortgages could make repayments cheaper – but homes more expensiveWhy longer loan terms might help more buyers get in (and push prices up)Whether New Zealand could follow the same path, and what that would do to affordabilityEd and Andrew reveal how this policy could boost borrowing by 20%, shift bank behaviour, and potentially drive the next property boom ... if it ever crosses the Pacific.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

Nov 10, 2025 • 14min
Downsizing Your Home: Smart Retirement Plan or Risky Bet?⎥Ep. 2252
Many Kiwis plan to sell the family home and buy something smaller to fund retirement. But does downsizing still work in 2025, or is it another myth about ageing gracefully?In this episode, Ed and Andrew explore when downsizing pays off and when it leaves you short. You’ll learn:3 reasons downsizing fails and 4 times it actually worksHow timing (before 72) can make or break your planWhy some retirees walk away with less than $200k after sellingWhether you’re dreaming of a smaller home or wondering if you’ve left it too late, this episode shows what it really takes to retire comfortably in New Zealand. 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

Nov 9, 2025 • 20min
When Property Investing Doesn’t Work: The $500k Lesson⎥Ep. 2251
A Wellington couple faces a staggering $500k loss in property investment, raising crucial questions about financial planning. Discover the major mistakes in debt structuring and the importance of seeking independent advice. The hosts analyze how panic over mortgage rates and market dips clouded their judgment. Practical strategies for retirement planning emerge, including the debate between holding assets versus selling at a loss. Tune in to learn how to navigate the complexities of property investing and safeguard your financial future.

Nov 8, 2025 • 20min
Why I Bought 3 Apartments in the Same Building (And LOVE It)⎥Ep. 2250
At 14, Charlie biked to the local stockbroker’s office with a cheque in hand to buy his first shares. 25 years later, that same drive had turned into a portfolio of 4 investment properties across Auckland and the Waikato. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Charlie to unpack how his early money lessons turned into a lifelong investing mindset.You’ll learn:The real reason Charlie kept buying in the same Auckland apartment blockHow trust structures, dual-income properties, and mindset build long-term resilienceHow he’s still finding ways to grow his wealth while balancing family lifeCharlie’s journey proves that great investors aren’t just lucky – they’re consistent, disciplined, and willing to make sacrifices today for freedom tomorrow.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

Nov 7, 2025 • 21min
How To Invest In Your 20s Vs 30s Vs 40s And Beyond⎥Ep. 2249
The best investment strategy changes as you do. In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack how to invest at every stage of life – from your first job to your final pay cheque – and reveal the single most important number in investing (it’s not what you think).You’ll learn:What to invest in during your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyondWhy your time horizon matters more than your income or returnsHow much do you actually need to invest each decade to reach your goal by retirementThis episode shows that what works at 25 could ruin you at 60, and that your investment strategy should evolve with you.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

Nov 6, 2025 • 15min
Why Working Hard Isn’t Enough (If You’re Doing This)⎥Ep. 2248
Is success all about hard work, or just being in the right place at the right time? In this episode, Ed and Andrew go head-to-head to debate whether it’s effort, talent, or pure luck that determines who wins in life (and in investing).You’ll learn:Why Andrew believes hard work is the biggest driver of successWhy Ed says luck plays a much bigger role than we like to admitHow to “bend luck in your favour” through education, risk-taking, and focusEd and Andrew explore how opportunity, timing, and preparation intertwine – and why the smartest investors know that while you can’t control luck, you can control what you do when it shows up.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

Nov 5, 2025 • 16min
How To Trick Yourself Into Becoming a Millionaire?⎥Ep. 2247
Your brain wants wealth, but it also wants comfort. In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the science of why even smart people make dumb money decisions … and how you can use behavioural tricks to build wealth automatically.You’ll learn:The two mental biases that secretly keep you poor Three money systems proven to grow your savings without willpowerThe surprising power of adding “friction” to stop bad financial habits before they startBy the end, you’ll know how to outsmart your own brain, and turn wealth-building into something that happens automatically, not accidentally.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

Nov 4, 2025 • 16min
Interest-Free Home Loans? The Truth Behind the Hype⎥Ep. 2246
An “interest-free mortgage” sounds incredible, but is it really what it seems? In this episode, Ed and Andrew delve into Liberty Trust’s offer, examining how the scheme operates, identifying key red flags for investors to watch, and outlining essential questions to ask before making a decision.You’ll learn:How Liberty Trust’s interest-free loan scheme actually worksThe key risks hidden in donation-based lending modelsThree questions to test whether any deal is too good to be trueThis one’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever seen a headline promising “free money.” Ed and Andrew unpack the facts, the fine print, and the faith behind one of NZ’s most unusual lending schemes.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

Nov 3, 2025 • 16min
Break Fee Myths: What the Banks Don’t Tell You⎥Ep. 2245
Interest rates are falling ... but does that mean you should break your fixed-term mortgage early? In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack when it’s smart to pay the break fee … and when it’s just an expensive mistake.You’ll learn:What break fees actually are (and how one investor paid a $20,000 penalty)How banks calculate these costs When breaking your loan makes senseEd and Andrew break down real-life examples, including a $150k break fee on a $5 million loan, and share a simple framework to decide if switching to a lower rate will actually save you money.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

Nov 2, 2025 • 17min
How The Rich Use Debt To Get Richer (And You Can Too)⎥Ep. 2244
Most people are taught that debt is bad. But Ed and Andrew explain why the right kind of debt can actually make you wealthy – if you know how to use it. From poor-kid lessons to multi-million-dollar portfolios, they break down how the rich use leverage to grow their assets (and how you can too).You’ll learn:The key difference between good debt and bad debtWhy the rich use debt to buy appreciating assets — not liabilitiesThe two biggest risks that can destroy your portfolio if you get it wrongEd and Andrew also share how they overcame their fear of borrowing, why inflation secretly helps investors, and how to get comfortable using debt to grow your wealth.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


