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. That's whether you're an existing or aspiring property investor, you want to get into your first home, or you're just interested in the property market. Andrew Nicol and Ed McKnight host the podcast. Andrew is the Managing Partner of Opes Partners and a prolific investor himself. Ed is an economist. Both Stuff and Juno Investment Magazine have previously published his analyses. https://www.opespartners.co.nz/investment/property-investment
Am I behind? It's the question everyone wonders, and almost nobody can answer. So, we paid Stats NZ to crunch the net-worth-by-age data that no one else publishes.In this episode, Ed and Andrew reveal the median wealth at every age and what the numbers really mean.You'll learn:What the typical Kiwi is worth in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyondWhy whatever you build by 60 is roughly what you retire onHow a single good asset can move you two decades up the tableThe honest takeaway? You're probably less behind than you think, but the early decades matter most.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
A new road or railway sounds like a green light for property prices. But not all infrastructure is equal. Some projects open up whole new suburbs. Others just smooth a commute.n this episode, Ed and Andrew run through New Zealand's biggest projects, testing each one against a simple question: Does it open new land? You'll learn:Which projects actually unlock new suburbs, and which just ease trafficWhat the research says infrastructure really does to nearby pricesThe Picton cautionary tale about buying into the infrastructure storyFollow the roads and rail... but only when they actually create new places to build.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
One investor owns 15 rentals with mortgages. The other owns 5, mortgage-free. So, who's actually better off and by how much?In this episode, Ed and Andrew run the numbers on both, and the result surprises most people.You'll learn:Why 15 mortgaged rentals can barely pay any cashflowWhy the "worse" properties can produce around 14x more free cashWhen to leverage to build wealth, and when to pay down for incomeLeverage builds wealth, but it doesn't pay you. Knowing when to switch is the whole retirement plan.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
House prices are down. Interest rates are down. So housing must be affordable again, right?Not everywhere... and the picture is more surprising than you'd think.In this episode, Ed and Andrew compare every district against its long-term average to see where affordability is improving and where it's slipping away.You'll learn:Whether housing is actually more affordable than usual right nowThe places getting better fastest, and the ones slipping awayWhy "more affordable" doesn't always mean "affordable"Affordability isn't just a snapshot. It can be a signal of where prices could go next.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Most Kiwis have never seen their entire financial life on one screen. Wealth rises while they work, then draws down through retirement. So, how much do you actually need to retire in 2026, and could you already have saved too much?In this episode, Ed and Andrew run a real couple's numbers through a new tool to reveal what it really takes.You'll learn:How much do you actually need to retire in 2026How to tell if you've already saved too muchThe one screen that shows you your entire financial lifeThe years you can best enjoy your money are often the ones people spend working. Knowing your number is how you get them back.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Most property accountants tell people what to do. Peter Taylor actually does it himself.Starting just after the GFC, he's built a portfolio of 19 residential and 10 commercial properties over three decades. In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with accountant Peter to hear how he did it.You'll learn:How this property accountant built a portfolio of 30 properties The biggest wins and toughest lessons from 3 decades of investing The one thing every property investor should knowPeter's edge wasn't a secret strategy. It was buying well, paying down hard, and doing it consistently for 30 years.Want to share your story on Case Study Sunday? Send us a message, email ed@opespartners.co.nzFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
We're all told to aim for "financial freedom." But what do Kiwis actually want when they get there?We asked 4,381 people, and their real goals are more specific... and more emotional than any calculator captures.In this episode, Ed and Andrew read out the retirement goals Kiwis actually set, and work through what each one really takes.You'll learn:The real, specific goals Kiwis haveWhy standard retirement calculators don't work for property investorsWhat it actually takes to fund the life you want"Financial freedom" is vague. The clearer your goal, the easier it is to build a plan that gets you there.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
A couple with the skills and contacts to renovate is weighing it up against a simple build-and-hold. So which actually builds more wealth... and when does renovating stack up?In this episode, Ed and Andrew debate the numbers behind renovating versus building and holding.You'll learn:The four reasons this couple wanted to renovate What the returns really look like over 15 years for each strategyThe questions to ask before you pick up a hammer Renovating can work brilliantly... but only when the numbers and your time actually stack up.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Everyone budgets for the deposit. It's the costs on top that catch buyers out. So I pulled out my actual receipts from buying a house, to show what you really spend before you earn a single dollar of rent.In this episode, Ed and Andrew walk through every hidden cost of buying a property, one invoice at a time.You'll learn:The upfront fees most buyers forgetThe money you can spend on houses you never even buyWhat it really costs to get a property rentable, and what to budgetThe deposit is only the start. Knowing the true cost is what keeps you out of trouble.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
National wants to let more first home buyers in with just a 5% deposit and lift the income cap to $300,000.So, how would it actually work, and who does it help?In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the proposed First Home Loan changes, the numbers, and the risks.You'll learn:How a 5% deposit changes the mathsWho actually benefits from the higher income cap, and who it won't helpHow many extra first home buyers could this policy createA lower deposit gets more people in the door. But borrowing 96% of a home's value comes with real risks worth understanding first.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
"Never let a good crisis go to waste." So what do the best investors actually do when the market falls? In a downturn, mindset is everything.In this episode, Ed and Andrew share stories about investors who didn't waste a dip, and the lessons for property. You'll learn:Never waste a market dip – the 3 stories smart investors live by The manic business partner who knocks on your door every single day When the real buying window REALLY appears (it's not in the crash)The market's quote on your house is only an opinion. What you do with it is the choice that matters.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
One investor got $80,000 knocked off a new build this week... and that's far from the only discount floating around the market right now. So if you had $600,000 to invest, where would you put it?In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the price drops happening across the market, why developers are cutting, and where the real opportunities are.You'll learn:The real developer discounts are happening right now The three reasons developers are cutting pricesWhy the quiet run-up to the election could be a buyer's windowThe real question isn't whether prices are dropping. It's whether you buy the rising market at full price... or the flat market at a discount.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice messageFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Luke moved to New Zealand from Australia, and by 21, he'd bought his first home. So, how did he do it... and why did he then go three months without a bathroom?In this Case Study Sunday, Luke shares how he went from a $7-an-hour apprentice to a homeowner and investor.You'll learn:How he saved hard and got past a "no" from the bank to buy at 21What he learned watching his dad build a four-property portfolioWhy did he renovate his first home but buy a new build as his rentalFor Luke, the lesson was simple: take the risk while you're young, and get the right help.Want to share your story on Case Study Sunday? Send us a message, email ed@opespartners.co.nzFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
It's easy to look back and spot the perfect time to buy. But read the headlines from back then, and you'd have found every reason not to.So, why does the "perfect time" only ever look perfect in the rear-view mirror?In this episode, Ed and Andrew revisit three moments that turned out to be brilliant times to buy... and how terrifying each one felt at the time.You'll learn:Why the best times to buy always looked like the worstThe doom headlines that surrounded 2019, 2012, and 2016What an 80-year-old listener learned about timingThere's never a good time to invest, just like there's never a good time to start a business or have kids. And that's exactly the point.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice messageFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
One line, right across the Cook Strait, sums up what's happening in the Kiwi housing market. So what's driving the split... and the other shifts quietly reshaping where we live?In this episode, Ed and Andrew count down five housing trends every investor should have on their radar in 2026.You'll learn:Why the South Island is bouncing back while much of the North keeps fallingWhy do we need far more homes even without any population growthWhere the real growth is happening (hint: follow the roads)The market is quietly reorganising itself. The investors who spot it early are the ones who benefit.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
The Reserve Bank has moved the OCR again... and its forecast says house prices are about to dip to a new official low. So, is this the real bottom of the market, and when do prices finally recover?In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down what the Reserve Bank did, what it means for mortgage rates, and where house prices go from here.You'll learn:What the Reserve Bank just did to the OCR, and whyWhere mortgage rates could head nextWhen house prices might finally recoverFor buyers, a new bottom could be an opportunity. Just remember, even the Reserve Bank's own forecasts can change in six weeks.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy HotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
One burst pipe or one bad tenant can wipe out a year's worth of rent.So, what does landlord insurance actually cover?In this episode, Ed and Andrew are joined by Simon Yarrell from Axico to break it down. You'll learn:The top five things landlords actually claim onThe things you think it covers, but it really doesn'tThe "excess trap" that can turn one incident into several separate excessesInsurance is for the sudden and unforeseen, not wear and tear. Knowing exactly what you're covered for is what saves you at claim time.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
A Christchurch couple asked their council if they could Airbnb their apartment. The council said yes... then took them to the Ministry. And the ruling could reshape how Airbnb works across New Zealand.In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack the MBIE determination that reclassified one apartment, and what it means for every short-term rental.You'll learn:Why an Airbnb can now be legally treated like a motel or hostelThe novel legal strategy councils are using to crack downWhat's actually happening on the ground, and how far it could spreadIt's one ruling, one apartment, one city. But it's a sign the net around Airbnb is tightening.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice message on the Property Academy hotlineFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
How much does the average New Zealander earn, owe, and actually have saved? The real numbers are more sobering than you'd think.In this episode, Ed and Andrew run through the numbers on income, debt, savings and KiwiSaver ... and what each one means for you. You'll learn:8 jaw-dropping money stats about the average Kiwi Whether you're ahead of the pack … or behind the average Kiwi The money moves you can make todayThe numbers are confronting. But knowing where the average sits is the first step to getting ahead of it.And click here to see who is on the Opes Top 10 financial advisers in NZ list .For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Liivi turned one house into a rental, then used both to buy a business... and now she's using the business to fund even more property. So how far can you take the "one asset buys the next" strategy?In this Case Study Sunday revisit, Liivi catches us up on the boring business she bought and the risky move her broker warned against.You'll learn:How she bought a business using her property equity, with no cash up frontWhy did she deliberately choose a "boring" business The high-risk move she made against her broker's adviceLiivi's story shows the power of using one asset to buy the next... but as Andrew warns, always remember the risks of something going wrong.Want to share your story on Case Study Sunday? Send us a message, email ed@opespartners.co.nzFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Every downturn brings the same claim: the old rules don't apply, and the market has permanently changed. So how do you tell a normal cycle from a genuine structural shift?In this episode, Ed and Andrew tackle a listener's question about whether NZ property is broken... or just in a deep part of the cycle.You'll learn:The difference between a cyclical downturn and a permanent, structural changeWhat 800 years of financial-crisis data says about "this time is different"Three simple tests to judge whether a market has really shiftedMarkets always feel permanently broken at the bottom. Whether this one truly is... that's the question worth testing.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice messageFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
With the election on 7 November, plenty of Kiwis are wondering whether to hold off on buying or selling. So does an election actually move the housing market, and who does it affect?In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the data on what really happens to prices, sales, and listings around an election.You'll learn:Whether elections actually change house pricesWhy sales dip before an election, and what that means for buyersHow big of an impact heading to the polls really makesThe election barely moves prices. But for buyers, that quiet window before November could be an opportunity.
Every landlord "knows" winter is the worst time to find a tenant. So we counted every new tenancy over the last 32 years to see if it's actually true.In this episode, Ed and Andrew put the winter rental myth to the test, with data and input from three of NZ's biggest property firms.You'll learn:When tenants actually move (and why mid-winter is busier than you'd think)The one month you genuinely should avoid re-lettingA simple lease trick to line up your next vacancy with the busy seasonWinter isn't the problem landlords think it is. As the data shows, it's more perception than reality.Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a voice messageFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
The gap between tenants feels like dead time. It's actually your most valuable few weeks as a landlord. So, what should you do before the next tenant moves in?In this episode, Ed and Andrew run through seven jobs that get your rental let faster and with fewer headaches. You'll learn:The one job landlords skip mostThe chattel trap that can legally force you to replace an applianceWhen the gap between tenants is the right moment to rethink your property managerAn empty rental isn't lost time. Done right, it's about protecting your returns for years to come.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Australia's government has just lobbed a major tax change at property investors... scrapping negative gearing and reshaping capital gains tax.So, is it still worth buying across the ditch, and should Australians be eyeing up New Zealand instead? In this episode, Ed and Andrew are joined by Australian property legend Michael Yardney to unpack what it all means. You'll learn:What Australia's negative gearing and CGT changes actually do to investorsWhether Kiwis can (or should) buy Australian property right nowWhy Yardney sees this as a cyclical shift, not a structural oneThe tax rules have changed. But as Yardney puts it, tax was never the reason to invest... just the cream on top.Click the liink to check out Metropole Property Strategists.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Most buyers fall in love with a house before they notice the warning signs. But some of the biggest red flags take about a minute to spot.So, what should you look for the moment you walk in?In this episode, Ed and Andrew count down the 7 signs you're looking at a bad house. You'll learn:How to spot a bad house in 60 seconds The 7 signs you're looking at a bad house The single biggest red flag in New Zealand propertySometimes you don't need to be a builder to spot a dud. You just need to know where to look.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Jackie didn't invest to get rich. She started out of a deep-seated fear of poverty, after a childhood that ran through 10 schools in four countries. So, how did that fear turn into a 10-property portfolio and NZ Landlord of the Year?In this Case Study Sunday, Jackie shares how she went from being too poor to heat her flat at uni to a place of security. You'll learn:The strategies she used to build 10 propertiesWhy she "future-proofs" every home for climate changeWhat she did to win NZ Landlord of the YearFor Jackie, property was never about getting rich. It was about the things other people take for granted... like being there for her child after school.Want to share your story on Case Study Sunday? Send us a message, email ed@opespartners.co.nzFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
We plan for the fun years of retirement. But the costs that really catch people out come later ... and they can run into six figures. So, what does growing old in New Zealand actually cost?In this episode, Ed and Andrew price up the late-life expenses most people underestimate. You'll learn:The 4 hidden costs that can quietly eat your income in retirementHow much residential care runs, and when the government finally steps inWhat you can do now … to get ahead of the crippling costsThis isn't about scaring you. It's about building enough wealth that these costs never force you to sell the house.And click the link if you'd like to book a meeting with one of the Opes Insurance teamFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Shares, property, gold or term deposits ... over the last 30 years, which one actually made you the most money?In this episode, Ed and Andrew rank the best- and worst-performing asset classes over 10-, 20-, and 30-year periods. You'll learn:Which asset class came out on top ... and how close property really wasThe currency trick that quietly inflated Kiwi share returnsWhy the "best" return depends on whether you value growth or consistencyThe highest returns came with the wildest rides. Which one wins depends on what you're really after.Click the link to get your copy of the Asset Classes Methodology Cheat Sheet For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
One commentator says the New Zealand housing game is over. A listener asked us to put that claim to the test. So, is the great Kiwi property bet really finished ... or just paused?In this episode, Ed and Andrew stage a five-round debate. You'll learn:Is the NZ housing game over? 5 strongest arguments for why the game is up 5 arguments for why it's just getting started againOne side bets on 50 years of history. The other says this time is different. You decide who wins.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
In this special bonus episode, you'll hear the audio from the recent Property Live webinar where we looked at "Election 2026 - How it impacts House Prices"In this podcast you'll learn:How elections REALLY impact the property marketEvery party's policy is ranked from smallest to biggest impactThe one thing that matters more than who winsBook a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
The council has kept notes on your home since the day it was built ... every consent, every inspection, every pass and every fail. So we ordered the full files on our own properties to see what's really in there.In this episode, Ed and Andrew open up the council "property file" and show you what's worth checking before you buy. You'll learn:What's in the file, and how it differs from a LIMWhether a "failed inspection" is actually something to worry aboutThe 3 things an expert says to check first Hundreds of documents sit behind every home. Knowing which few actually matter could save you a nasty surprise.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Rich Dad Poor Dad has sold over 32 million copies. BUT it's also been called thin on advice and full of dud predictions. So how much should you actually trust the world's best-selling money book?In this episode, Ed and Andrew put Kiyosaki on trial. You'll learn:The best ideas from Rich Dad Poor Dad that still hold up todayWhere the author misses the markHow to separate the high value from the hypeKeep the lessons, ignore the Armageddon. This episode helps you tell the two apart.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Property investors get painted as greedy speculators and would-be land barons. The data tells a very different story. So, we analysed 4,381 real retirement plans to find out what Kiwis actually want when they invest.In this episode, Ed and Andrew reveal the findings from the Opes Partners What Investors Want Report. You'll learn:The real reasons Kiwis invest How many properties do most investors actually need Why property fills the gap that Super and KiwiSaver leave behindKiwis don't invest to be the richest people in the graveyard. They invest to retire a bit early, see family, and stop stressing about money.Download your copy of the What Investors Want report here.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Rocky flew into Auckland alone at 18, knowing no one and not knowing what to expect. More than 20 years on, he's building a property portfolio designed to own itself. So how did he get here?In this Case Study Sunday, Rocky shares his journey from Burger King and door-to-door sales to property development. You'll learn:How he bought land at 24 and built his first house right through the GFCWhy he sold three businesses to focus entirely on propertyHow he used one house to become a property developerFor Rocky, the lesson was simple: property is where his strengths are… and where he's building his future.Want to share your story on Case Study Sunday? Send us a message, email ed@opespartners.co.nzFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
The numbers can stack up perfectly ... and a big mortgage can still weigh on you every single day. So, how do you stop the debt from running your life?In this episode, Ed and Andrew tackle a listener's question about the mental side of carrying a large mortgage. You'll learn:The real stories of Kiwis who were petrified by debtThe 4 things that take the fear out of a big mortgageWhy being a little scared of debt can be a good thingYou don't beat mortgage stress by ignoring the number. You beat it with a buffer, a plan, and the right questions.And here is the Instagram page link for Candas Barnes, the motivational content creator mentioned in this episode.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Everyone seems to agree Auckland is drowning in townhouses... and that they're dragging the whole market down. But is that actually true, or is it a myth?In this episode, Ed and Andrew are joined by Cotality's Head of Research, Nick Goodall, to test the claim against the data. You'll learn:Whether townhouses really fell harder than standalone houses in AucklandWho's actually buying townhouses (it's not just investors)What the latest building consent numbers say about the market aheadThe main takeaway? The data tells a clearer story than the anecdotes.Make sure to check out the NZ Property Market podcastBook a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
There's an old investor line: buy where McDonald's and the supermarkets go, because they've done the homework for you. But do house prices actually follow the big chains ... or is it the other way round?In this episode, Ed and Andrew put the theory to the test, with answers straight from big chains. You'll learn:How much research do the big chains really do before they buildWhether a new store drives prices or just follows the growth that's already comingWhat the overseas studies actually say about living near a supermarketA new supermarket feels like a green light. But it might be confirming the growth, not creating it.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
A 25-year-old and a 65-year-old shouldn't buy the same property. But some Kiwis never change their strategy as they get older. So what should you actually be buying at each stage of life?In this episode, Ed and Andrew walk through the right property play for every decade, from your 20s to your 70s.You'll learn:Why your age and time horizon should shape what you buyThe shift from chasing growth to chasing cashflow, and when to make itThe decade where lifestyle creep quietly costs you the mostThese are guides, not rules ... but knowing your stage could change your very next purchase.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Being in debt isn't just a maths problem. It's an emotional one. So if the balances feel overwhelming, where do you actually start?In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack why debt is more emotional than logical, and the simple steps that actually get you out.You'll learn:Why shame keeps so many people stuck, and how to break itSnowball vs avalanche, and which one does the research say to start withWhere to find the best debt help in New Zealand, for freeYou can't fix a number you refuse to look at. Facing it is the hardest step ... and the one that changes everything.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Ronald Read pumped petrol and swept floors in small-town Vermont. He drove an old car and held his coat together with a safety pin. Nobody had a clue that when he died, he'd leave behind about US$8 million. So how would you do the same on an average Kiwi salary?In this episode, Ed and Andrew map out exactly how they'd invest on a typical household income.You'll learn:How to face the truth about your moneyThe automatic system that decides where every dollar goesHow to invest across both shares and property, even on an average wageYou don't need a big income to build real wealth. You need a plan ... and the discipline to actually start.And you can download your copy of the Opes Money On A Page spreadsheet here.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Kerry started back in 2006 with a $6,000 deposit pulled from a credit card. Today, he's aiming for 100 tenancies. So how do you scale that far ... and still keep it a lifestyle?In this Case Study Sunday revisit, Kerry catches us up on his boarding houses, his latest projects, and the lifestyle it's all built to fund.You'll learn:How this investor turned an abandoned doer-upper into a fully rented 9-bedroom place Why it took him 10 years to buy one houseHow he plans to get 100 sets of tenantsFor Kerry, the goal was never just more properties. It was the freedom they buy. Want to share your story on Case Study Sunday? Send us a message, email ed@opespartners.co.nzListen to the previous Case Study that Kerry joined us on from 2024 hereAnd if you are keen on joining the NZPIF 2026 Conference, check out the details hereFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
When Oliver was 23, earning about $60k, he bought a $728,000 first home in Tauranga ... on his own. The catch? The mortgage, rates and insurance nearly ate his whole salary. So, can you really invest in property on one income?In this episode, Ed and Andrew share real Kiwi case studies of solo buyers and exactly what it takes to make it work.You'll learn:How much income do you actually need to buy on your ownWhy the deposit, not the mortgage, is the real hurdleThe risks of going solo, and how to stack the deck in your favourAbout 40% of Kiwis aren't in a relationship ... and plenty of them are still buying. Here's how they do it.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
From the outside, he had it all: a clifftop Mission Bay mansion, sports cars, cocktails in the spa. Then his company collapsed ... and it turned out the house was rented and he owned almost nothing.So how do people earn so much, yet end up with so little?In this episode, Ed and Andrew unpack the high-income illusion. You'll learn:Why income and wealth are two completely different thingsThe 3 traps high earners fall intoA simple formula to check if your net worth is where it should beA big salary can just fund a fancier version of broke. Knowing the difference is what actually makes you rich.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Kate dumpster-dives for dinner, washes her clothes in the shower, and hasn't bought new clothes in eight years. She also paid off her apartment in nine months. How far would you go never to need a pay cheque again?In this episode, Ed and Andrew climb a ladder of saving ... and show what each one does to how soon you could stop working.You'll learn:The savings rate that decides whether freedom is decades or years awayThe 5 levels of saving, from cutting a coffee to changing your postcodeThe real people who retired decades early, and the risks they tookThe higher you climb the ladder, the sooner you're free. The only question is how far you're actually willing to go.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
For two years, finding a tenant has been brutal... some property managers have called it the hardest market they've ever seen. But the numbers are quietly shifting, and most investors haven't noticed yet.In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the data showing the rental market is finally turning in landlords' favour. You'll learn:The rental market just flipped. Here's what changed. What landlords haven't realised yet … but soon will. How long does it really take to find a good tenant?The tide is turning for landlords. The investors who spot it first are the ones who benefit.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
We always say commercial property is about income, not growth. But does it actually go up in value as a house does?In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into what really drives commercial property values and how the growth stacks up against residential.You'll learn:Whether commercial property grows in value, and by how much over 20 yearsWhy is a commercial building priced completely differently from a houseThe two levers that push a commercial property's value upThe answer splits sharply by sector and city ... and some of the "safe" ones actually went backwards.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Let's not sugar-coat it: New Zealand is in the longest housing downturn on record. So how much longer does it last, and when do prices actually turn?In this episode, Ed and Andrew line up the forecasts from every major bank, the Reserve Bank and Treasury, and crunch what they really mean for your house price.You'll learn:Just how bad this downturn is compared to the ones you actually rememberWhat the banks, the Reserve Bank and Treasury predict, year by yearWhy house sales have recovered, but prices haven't Nobody knows the exact number. But every serious forecaster's line is pointing the same way ... and it's not the way the last four years went.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
For his first decade investing, Dean threw everything at paying down debt. Now, at 41 with three kids, he's deliberately easing off. So what changed ... and how do you know when to stop grinding and start enjoying it?In this Case Study Sunday, returning guest Dean shares how his mindset has shifted from chasing debt freedom to building net worth and living in the here and now.You'll learn:How he built four rentals by 41 How does he balance investing for the future vs living life now And his strategy to pay down debtAs a mate told him, if you always chase the light at the end of the tunnel, you just add another tunnel. Sometimes the real win is enjoying the now.Want to share your story on Case Study Sunday? Send us a message, email ed@opespartners.co.nzFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Most people wait for the perfect idea, the right gear, or a big audience before they start. The truth? You can be earning on the side this week ... with nothing but your phone.In this episode, Ed and Andrew break down the new rules of side hustles and seven ways to make extra cash you can start today.You'll learn:Why you should start with the customer, not the idea7 side hustles you can begin with almost zero setupThe get-rich-quick traps to ignoreThe hardest part was never the idea. It's starting ... and nobody's waiting for you to do it.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Normally, more risk means a lower price. So, flood risk should be a permanent discount hanging over a home. But why are flood-prone properties quietly outgrowing the safe ones?In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the Cotality data, and what it really means if you're tempted by a cheaper house with a catch.You'll learn:Why the riskiest homes are growing faster than the safe onesThe affordability trap driving buyers into flood zonesWhat flood risk could mean for your insurance and resale down the trackAffordability wins today. But as the data warns, risk shapes tomorrow.Book a meeting to start your path to financial freedom with a detailed financial plan for $0.For more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
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