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
A listener left us a voice message... he's about to spend $20,000 furnishing a new Airbnb, and he's having second thoughts. So, should he take the punt or turn it into a long-term rental now?In this episode, Ed and Andrew model his exact decision and the GST trap most short-stay owners don't see coming.You'll learn:Should you give up on your Airbnb? Real listener's scenario … and what he should do What he'd have to sacrifice if he changed course nowThe lesson? The GST decision isn't a formality at the time of purchase. It's a strategic decision.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
Every stage of building wealth has its own trap. And the thing that got you here is often the thing that stops you from going further. So, which one are you about to walk into?In this episode, Ed and Andrew map the traps at every stage, from your first $1,000 to $2.5 million in equity.You'll learn:The traps hiding at each stage of wealthWhy being too scared of debt can leave a million dollars doing nothingWhy you retire on cash flow, not capital growthThe lesson? Every trap is caused by what worked at the previous stage. Knowing what's coming is how you avoid it.Want to book a free session with one of our Financial Advisers, then just click hereLet 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
An auction is the only way to buy a house where you sign an unconditional contract, in public, in about four minutes.So, what's really going on in the room... and how do you avoid getting played? In this episode, Ed and Andrew sit down with Daniel Coulson – the CEO of Ray White NZ – who's called around 8,000 auctions.You'll learn:The mistakes bidders make at auctionWhat auctioneers can and can't legally doWhether the usual auction tricks and tips still workThe lesson? Most people walk into an auction not knowing the rules of the game. Learn them, and you walk in with the upper hand.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
This couple wanted to buy an investment property, but the bank said no. After a few tweaks with a mortgage adviser, they were approved to borrow $580,000 more.In this episode, Ed and Andrew share three real examples of Kiwis who unlocked more borrowing capacity... and the everyday things that quietly drag your capacity down.You'll learn:Why can the bank lend you $80k less in six monthsHow clearing a $10k student loan added $225k of borrowing powerThe unused credit card could be costing you a depositIf the bank says no, it's often not a no forever. Sometimes it's just a number waiting to be moved.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
First, their income was too low to get the loan. They fixed it ... then the market fell, and suddenly their equity fell short, too.So, how did this couple finally cross the line into their first investment property?In this Case Study Sunday, Steve and Vicky share a 5-year journey of hitting wall after wall and refusing to give up.You'll learn:Why the bank turned them down … and how they changed their mind What it REALLY takes to save your way to a deposit How these investors are building towards $100k of passive incomeThe lesson? Sometimes you do everything right and still get knocked back. Getting there anyway is the whole story.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
A listener found a bargain: a house where meth was smoked, fully cleaned, and now testing safe. But everyone in town knows its history... and it's on the LIM. So does the stigma ever go? Or is it a "meth house" forever?In this episode, Ed and Andrew dig into the science, the stigma, and the real numbers behind former meth houses. You'll learn:What the science says about meth smoked vs cookedWhy meth stays on a LIM forever, and how it gets there in the first placeWhat a former meth house really costs you (hint: it's not the clean-up)A cleaned meth house can be perfectly safe to live in. Whether it's a bargain or a trap comes down to the numbers.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
We talk about prices, yields, and interest rates constantly. But what someone pays often depends on how a place feels when they walk in. So, what design mistakes are quietly costing investors money?In this episode, Ed and Andrew are joined by interior designer Kelly Gammie. You'll learn:The 3 biggest interior design mistakes … and what each one costs The renovations that add value and the ones that just cost you money How bold and brave should investors be when choosing what to paint the wallsThe numbers matter... but so does the feeling. Get the design right, and it shows up in the price.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
Five years ago, every NZ market stood on the same hilltop. Then prices fell into the valley together... and since then, they've gone in completely different directions. So, where are prices actually booming, and where are they still hitting record lows?In this episode, Ed and Andrew count down the fastest-recovering markets, and reveal the North/South divide splitting the country.You'll learn:The markets leading the recoveryWhy seven North Island towns just hit fresh record lowsHow to tell a real boom from a small-town flukeThe lesson? Stop reading the national number. And a boom tells you what already happened, not what happens 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
Two of New Zealand's biggest property sites just launched AI search. Is this the new way to buy a house?We put them to the test to see if AI can actually find you a good investment.In this episode, Ed and Andrew try out the AI tools on TradeMe and realestate.co.nz, from yield hunting to image search.You'll learn:What the new AI searches can do that the old filters couldn'tWhether they can handle the numbers that matter to investors, like yieldWhich one actually worked, and which kept falling overAI can do the basics. But when it comes to the numbers that make a deal, there's still a big gap.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 Wellington flip had neighbours pointing boom boxes at it, dumping tyres, and breaking in to steal the appliances. None of that was in the spreadsheet. So, how do you know if a deal can survive when things go wrong?In this episode, Ed and Andrew share the "what if I'm wrong" test – a simple way to stress-test any property before you buy.You'll learn:The five things to checkThe renovation that missed its target price by $180kWhy the goal isn't "does it look great," but "could I survive this"If you stress-test hard enough, no property is perfect. The real question is whether you could get through the rough patches.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
We analysed 57,114 rental properties... to find the highest and lowest rental returns.In this episode, Ed and Andrew count down the five highest-yielding areas, then rank every city from worst to best.You'll learn:The five areas with New Zealand's highest rental yieldsWhy do the big cities consistently have the lowest yieldsThe catch with high-yield small towns, and why gross yield can misleadA high yield isn't the whole story. This episode shows you the trade-off, plus a free tool to see where your own property ranks.And you can check out the Rental Yield Percentile Calculator hereFor more from Opes Partners:Sign up for the weekly Private Property newsletterInstagramTikTok
Sarah bought a home-and-income in South Auckland back in 2006, and years later turned it into a five-townhouse development.So, how did she become a property developer, and what did it really take?In this Case Study Sunday, Sarah shares how she built a seven-property portfolio, even while living overseas.You'll learn:How this investor turned one property into fiveThe challenges she faced when she turned herself into a property developerHer biggest regret from investing in propertyThe lesson? Fortune favours the bold... and the patient. Sarah's story is a reminder that the real money in property is made over the long term.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 selling agent doesn't work for you. So, what should you say and what should you never give away?In this episode, Ed and Andrew run through the five biggest mistakes buyers make in front of agents, and how to avoid them.You'll learn:Why telling the agent your budget or your "why" costs you moneyThe research-backed power of silence in a negotiationWhether you should ever bid your absolute maximum The agent isn't your enemy, but they're not your friend either. Knowing the rules is how you keep the upper hand.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
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
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