The Property Academy Podcast

Most investors dream of building a massive portfolio – Andrew Nicol actually did it.

He owns 43 properties … but along the way, made some major mistakes.In this episode, Andrew shares what he’d do differently if he had to start again.

You’ll learn:

• How he built his portfolio from flipping homes to long-term holds
• The moment he nearly lost it all after the Christchurch earthquakes
• Why letting go of bad investments is sometimes smart...

Most investors dream of building a massive portfolio – Andrew Nicol actually did it.

He owns 43 properties … but along the way, made some major mistakes.In this episode, Andrew shares what he’d do differently if he had to start again.

You’ll learn:

• How he built his portfolio from flipping homes to long-term holds
• The moment he nearly lost it all after the Christchurch earthquakes
• Why letting go of bad investments is sometimes smart...

Tiffany’s the behind-the-scenes superstar here at Opes – and in this episode, she finally steps up to the mic.

She shares the story of how she bought and fully renovated a house while 35 weeks pregnant – plastering, painting, and all – and how she’s using property to create a financial legacy for her kids.

You’ll hear the numbers, the strategy, and how she saved over $30K in labour by doing it herself.

And if you’re weighing up the va...

Nobody likes to think about it … but what happens to your mortgage if you die?

Will your kids inherit the debt? Will the bank come knocking?

In this episode, we break down what actually happens when someone with a mortgage dies — whether it’s you or your parents. You’ll learn the role of the executor, what happens to loan payments, and how to avoid burdening your loved ones.

Plus, we explain when the debt is wiped, and when it become...

Auckland’s new council valuations are out – and the average CV has dropped by 9%. But what does that actually mean for your property, your rates, and your negotiating power?

In this episode, we break down:

• Why lower CVs might actually be good news for your rates bill
• What to do if you think your CV is wrong (and how to challenge it)
• The number 1 mistake homeowners make when interpreting their CV

You’ll also learn how these upda...

In this episode, we discuss how much Kiwis really need to invest each month.

We explore:

• 3 simple rules of thumb for figuring out your target investment rate
• How much people actually save – and whether you’re doing enough
• Real-life examples, including one couple earning $140K and what they should invest weekly

Whether you’re aiming to save 10%, 20%, or more of your income, this episode breaks down the numbers and offers a free...

Ever wondered how some investors seem to get above average returns, while others just track the market?

In this episode, we reveal how to potentially beat the market by understanding direct vs indirect ownership – and which one might be right for you.You’ll learn:

• What the “market return” really means
• How direct investing (like buying a property) compares to investing through a fund
• The key trade-offs – including returns, risk, lev...

In this special bonus episode, you'll hear the audio from the recent Property Live webinar where we looked at ⁠how to "Retire before 55 on $100k passive income"

In this podcast you'll learn:

• the 9 step blueprint to retire at 55
• how to apply the Rule of 4%
• How to use Opes+ to help you reach your goals

For more from Opes Partners:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the weekly Private...

In this episode, we discuss: why real estate agents often won’t tell you the price upfront … and what you can do about it.

It’s one of the biggest frustrations buyers have — feeling like the agent is being deliberately vague or even misleading. But is it just sales speak … or are they breaking the rules?

You’ll learn:

• What to say to get the price out of an agent
• Which rules agents are meant to follow
• And examples of agents who got c...

There’s a major rule change coming … and if you miss it, a simple cat door could cost you $7,200.

In this episode, we reveal the big shift in the Healthy Homes Standards and what every landlord must do before 1 July 2025.

We also break down real-life cases where landlords have been fined over $30,000, and the exact upgrades you may need – from insulation to extractor fans – to stay compliant.

👉 Want to check if your property measures...

In this episode, we discuss how Mark – a 63-year-old Tauranga pizza shop owner – built a secure retirement plan later in life, even after making some costly property investment mistakes.

• Hear how he sold his properties too early and missed out on hundreds of thousands in capital gains
• Why he’s jumped back into the market in his 60s and how he’s planning to grow his equity by another $1 million
• What he’d tell his 35-year-old self …...

In this episode, Ed and Andrew take you on a deep dive through the history of loan-to-value ratio (LVR) restrictions in New Zealand.

You’ll hear how investors once needed just a 5% deposit … and how that skyrocketed to 40% during boom times.

But what triggered those changes? How did investors respond? And what does the future look like now that Debt-to-Income (DTI) rules are coming into play?

Plus, you’ll learn how deposit rules can ...

In this episode, we discuss the 7 worst property crashes in history – and how far prices really fell.

You'll learn:

• What triggered each collapse (from financial crises to pandemics)

• Whether New Zealand shows any signs of going the same way

• What history can teach you about how to spot a housing crash before it happens

Plus, we talk about how to protect your portfolio if another downturn happens.Need help planning your next move? C...

In this episode, we discuss what it would actually take for us (Ed and Andrew) to fix our interest rates for the long term.

You’ll learn:

• Why we usually recommend fixing for 1 year at a time

• The exact conditions that would make us lock in for 3–5 years instead

• The strategy to manage your mortgage risk and keep options open

We also walk through real numbers using our interest rate calculator so you can see which rate might suit ...

In this episode, we discuss why investing in property early can supercharge your wealth.

You’ll learn:

• How much money you could have made if you bought property 5, 10, or even 20 years ago
• Why when you invest is just as important as what you invest in
• How to calculate your own “lost gains” using your age and region

This is the episode to listen to if you’ve ever said: “I wish I bought earlier.”

Here's the link to the spreadsheet...

In this episode, we discuss whether auctions really get sellers a better price … or if it’s all just hype from real estate agents.

We reveal:

• What the actual data shows about whether auctions sell for more than other methods (like negotiation or deadline sale)
• Why some houses do better at auction, while others flop
• How long it takes to sell your property using each method

Plus, we share the unexpected truth about how real estat...

In this episode, we discuss the best way to find investment properties in 2025 — without endlessly scrolling through Trade Me listings.

You’ll learn:

• The 5 different ways to find properties in NZ
• How to “keyword hack” your way to better listings
• The tools and strategies top investors use to spot hidden opportunities

We also reveal how most Kiwi investors can find the right investment property by using smarter strategies — even ...

In this episode, we share the story of Tommy — a Kiwi investor who bought four properties in just 10 months … all while working overseas in China.

You’ll learn:

• How he built a cashflow-positive portfolio from halfway across the world
• Why student flats in Dunedin became his go-to investment strategy
• And the exact timeline and system he used to rapidly scale his portfolio

If you’re just starting out and want a clear strategy to f...

In this episode, we discuss whether today’s New Builds are really as good as some people say.

You’ll learn:

• The red flags to watch out for when inspecting a new build
• What builders did better 50 years ago (and what they do better now)
• And how to figure out whether a developer is actually going to deliver a quality home

Want to make sure your next property is built to last? Start with our guide to investing in New Builds — so y...