

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

Jul 29, 2025 • 17min
Divorce Horror Stories: How to Protect Your Wealth⎥Ep. 2148
Divorce isn’t just emotionally devastating – it can kill your finances. In this episode, we reveal five real-life divorce horror stories and the costly mistakes investors made when their relationships broke down.Whether it’s family trusts backfiring, prenups falling over, or messy asset disputes, you’ll hear exactly what went wrong – and what you need to do to protect yourself.You’ll learn:5 true stories of Kiwi couples whose breakups destroyed their wealthWhy even a valid prenup isn’t always enough3 lessons to help safeguard your assets before things go badPlus, we discuss why so few New Zealanders have relationship property agreements – even when they’re most at risk.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 28, 2025 • 22min
Should I Get a Pre-Nup? (Relationship Property Agreements Explained NZ)⎥Ep. 2147
Most Kiwis think a trust will protect their assets in a break-up.But that’s not always true. In fact, without a relationship property agreement (a prenup), even your trust could be challenged in court.In this episode, we break down the real risks of not having a prenup – including how one Kiwi lost his house, despite putting it in a trust – and explain how to put a contracting out agreement in place.You’ll learn:How NZ’s relationship property law really works – and when the 50/50 split kicks inWhy a trust doesn’t always protect your property after a breakupHow much prenups cost, and the life events that should trigger a reviewDon't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 27, 2025 • 23min
The Ultimate Guide To Mortgages In New Zealand⎥Ep. 2146
Getting a mortgage isn’t just about picking the bank with the best rate. There are key decisions and financial tests you need to understand before the bank will lend you money.In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to master your mortgage – from figuring out how much you can borrow, to setting up your loan the right way.You’ll learn:The 3 bank tests you must pass before you can get a mortgageHow to calculate your repayments using the “mortgage factor”Why the structure of your mortgage (term, type, and payment timing) matters more than you thinkDon't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 26, 2025 • 17min
"How I Saved $45k By 18 Years Old – And Bought My First House"⎥Ep. 2145
Most 18-year-olds are worried about uni, flatting or getting their licence … not about mortgage rates and tenant cashflow.But Kaylee is different. At just 18, she bought her first rental property. And she didn’t need a $150k deposit to do it.In this episode, we unpack Kaylee’s story – and what her journey can teach parents and young Kiwis about getting into the property market early.You’ll learn:How Kaylee built a $350k portfolio before turning 20Why her parents made her save 50% of everything she earned as a kidThe property investment structure they used to make it all work Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 25, 2025 • 20min
7 Creative Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding⎥Ep. 2144
Weddings are beautiful … but they can also cost a fortune. So in this episode, Ed shares the exact tactics he and his fiancée are using to keep costs down – while still making the big day feel special.You’ll learn:How much Kiwis actually spend on weddings (hint: it’s not $30k anymore)7 practical, real-world ways to cut wedding costs without cutting joyWhy a smaller wedding might mean a wealthier futureDon't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 24, 2025 • 19min
Is a Vision Board Worth It? (We Test It Out)⎥Ep. 2143
Some people swear by vision boards. Others think they’re woo-woo nonsense. So in this episode, we put them to the test.You’ll hear what’s on Ed and Andrew’s personal vision boards and why these visual goals might (or might not) work for you.This episode is for anyone who’s ever struggled to stay motivated while working toward financial freedom.The surprising item Andrew put on his vision board – and whyWhy writing down your goals could make them more realA simple 15-minute strategy to stay focused on your goalsDon't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 23, 2025 • 20min
What's The BEST Way To Estimate House Prices In New Zealand⎥Ep. 2142
Online property estimators promise to tell you what your house is worth. But which one is actually accurate? And how close are the estimates to reality?In this episode, Ed and Andrew are joined by Vanessa from Realestate.co.nz, who shares the results of comparing over 75,000 online house estimates with actual sale prices.You’ll learn:Which property valuation tool is the most accurate in New ZealandWhere in the country online estimates are more reliableWhy you can’t always trust the numbers (and when you can)Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 22, 2025 • 16min
How High Can House Prices Go? (vs Incomes)⎥Ep. 2141
In this episode, we ask a big question — what’s the real limit on house prices? Because many Kiwis wonder: If incomes don’t rise much … how can property prices keep going up?We unpack:The latest house price-to-income ratios across NZ (and how they compare internationally)Whether Tauranga and Auckland are truly “the most unaffordable” – or if the data hides something deeperWhy DTI (debt-to-income) ratios might be more useful than price-to-income when assessing affordabilityYou’ll also hear why existing homeowners with high equity – not first-home buyers – might be the key to understanding what’s really driving the property market.For more on the limits of affordability, check out our article on house prices NZ.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 21, 2025 • 20min
How to Fund a Mini-Retirement With Property (4 Strategies Explained)⎥Ep. 2140
Not everyone wants to wait until 65 to enjoy life. For some Kiwis, financial freedom isn’t about retirement — it’s about creating options earlier. In this episode, we explore how property can help you fund a mini-retirement and give you a break from work now (not just later).You’ll learn:4 strategies to use your properties to fund time off workHow much a mini-retirement can actually costWhy one listener isn’t waiting for retirement — and neither should youAnd if you're thinking 'how much do I need to retire nz?' read this guide on how much retirement really costs. Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok

Jul 20, 2025 • 20min
If You Are 40 & Own A House In NZ, You Need To Hear THIS⎥Ep. 2139
You’re in your 40s – your income’s peaking, your expenses are soaring, and everyone wants a piece of you. It’s easy to think “I’ll deal with investing later.” But that could be the biggest financial mistake you ever make.In this episode, we break down:The riskiest money move you can make in your 40sThe biggest untapped resource most 40-somethings forget they haveWhy delaying investing means saving 3x more just to catch upIf you’re relying on just the pension or KiwiSaver, you might be in for a shock. So read this guide to figure out how much do I need to retire nz.Don't forget to create your free Opes+ account here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok


