The Property Academy Podcast

In Episode #16, we discuss whether it is the right financial decision to purchase the street that is just down the road from you.  We touch on why it may be better to diversify your risk across multiple areas of a city – or across several cities.  This means that all your eggs aren't in one basket.  We also touch on the fact that it is often better for your investment to be out of sight and out of mind so that it doesn't stress you out. This means that you're less likely to sell early.  To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.

In Episode #15, we discuss AirBnbs, and the benefits and drawbacks of using your investment property for Airbnb only, rather than tenanting the property. Andrew specifically walks through an example of the "sleep test" where, if you are struggling to get to sleep because you're worried about whether there will be bookings, then Airbnb is probably not a good option for you.  We also discuss that while Airbnb can produce better cashflow returns than a standard tenant, it does come with higher costs and more uncertainty, which some investors may not be willing to accept.  To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.

In Episode #14, we discuss whether property investors are "greedy psychopaths". Ed recently had an article published in Stuff, New Zealand's largest news website. One commenter wrote, "property investment (speculation really) is a cancer on society by greedy psychopaths." We touch on that without property investors, many New Zealanders wouldn't have a place to live, since investors provide accommodation to renters. Far from being greedy, we discuss how many property investors are using investment property to save for their retirement. This means that they don't have to rely on New Zealand superannuation alone.  To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.

In Episode 13, we discuss Ring Fencing. This is a new piece of legislation that stops New Zealand property investors from claiming tax benefits they were previously entitled to.  Under the previous regime, if a property investor made a tax loss each year, the investor could subtract the loss from their income tax.  This meant that they could claim a tax refund on the additional tax they had already paid.  This money would then be used to pay down the cash losses associated with the investment.  Investors can no longer do this. Which is why we give 3-4 different strategies that property investors can use to combat this legislative change.  To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.

In Episode 12, we discuss split banking. Split banking is the process of using multiple banks, rather than just a single bank.  Split banking means that you can protect your assets, control the proceeds of any sales you make, and potentially borrow more. This means you can grow your wealth and your portfolio faster.  Andrew also shares a story of clients who didn't use split banking and got stung because of it.  To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.

In Episode 11, we discuss KPMG's Magnet City report. Written in 2015, the global report introduces the concept of the Magnet City, a city that is expected to attract population growth of a particular type of people – young wealth creators. Young wealth creators are those who will start businesses and create jobs, which improves the economy of a region. This is important for property investors because magnet cities will make good property markets – they have growing populations of young people with higher than average incomes. Read our analysis of the Magnet City Report and its implications for the Christchurch property market.  To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.

In Episode 10, we discuss why you shouldn't be afraid of investing in a flat property market, where prices aren't increasing.  Andrew quotes Warren Buffet: "be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful." And we talk through that investing in a market when prices are already going up means that another property owner receives the gains you might have achieved. Although we're not suggesting you should invest in every and any flat market, we are suggesting that you shouldn't be automatically fearful. To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.

In Episode 9, we discuss all the reasons why you would – and should – use a mortgage broker. That's whether you're a first home buyer or a property investor. You may look around on the internet and look for a mortgage calculator, and then think you don't need a mortgage broker. However, mortgage brokers do more than just calculate your mortgage. Mortgage brokers are your representative to the banks, and will go on your behalf to negotiate with multiple banks for you.  The key point to note is that mortgage brokers are your side. That's because they don't charge you anything, and only get paid when they secure the loan for you. That means they are incentivised to get the lending you want from the banks.  

In Episode #8, we walk through the five sources first home buyers can tap into to pull together their deposits. The five sources are: KiwiSaver The Home Start Grant Savings The Sale of Existing Assets The Bank of Mum and Dad We also go through how to start tapping into each of these sources and some of the restrictions, rules and regulations around the government sources. To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.

In Episode #7, we discuss the difference between equity and useable equity + how that impacts your ability to become a property investor.  Most people become first-time property investors by leveraging their own homes to secure the deposit for their investment.  In the episode, we discuss the way to do this: 1) take out a separate loan against your own home, 2) use the money from that  loan as a cash deposit to secure a secondary loan from another bank, 3) use the two loans together to fund the full purchase price of the property.  To find out more about the podcast and property investment in general, check out our Epic Guide to Property Investment in NZ.