Private Property issue #126

Yesterday was the 5th anniversary of the Property Academy Podcast 🎂

Every day for the last 5 years, we’ve released a new episode to help you learn to invest.

The first recording session was humble. It was Ed in I in his hotel room with a couple many whiskeys in hand late in the evening.

Fast forward to now, and we record in our purpose-built studio … at the more sober hour of 9:15am on a Tuesday.

How things have changed.

The podcast has clocked up over 9 million downloads. And it's all thanks to people like you.

More people listen to the show than the entire population of Ed's hometown (Hāwera).

But here’s the truth, this podcast isn’t about me. And it’s never been about Ed, either.

We started the show to help people like you take action and invest in property.

In that first episode, Ed said: “We want to give you that confidence. That knowledge. That community. That motivation to go out and actually do something.”

One of my favourite parts of the show is Case Study Sunday. This is where members of this podcast community come on to share their stories.

The good and the bad.

Take Quentin and Sera, for example. They were high school sweethearts, both coming from humble beginnings.

They were teenagers when they met. They worked five jobs between them to rent a flat without a fridge.

Later, they bought and paid off their first home in just five years.

Now, they’re breaking the poverty cycle by investing in property.

They’re part of this property community. And I’m stoked that our podcast can be one part of their journey.

Here’s their story on a recent episode.

Then there’s Mike. He was a lifelong renovations-focused investor. He’s had a colourful history of deal-making.

Like that time, he overspent on a property that went up for auction. Then, his banker called him after he’d had a few drinks at the races.

The banker told him he couldn’t get a mortgage that big!

So, he convinced his new girlfriend to lend him the extra money. (They’re now married with kids).

During this podcast, Mike spun yarn after yarn.

He shared how he was a dead-set, renovations guy his entire life …

Until it wasn’t working for him anymore.

Through the podcast, Mike has found a new way to invest. He’s proud to say he’ll “never set foot” in some of his new investments.

But of course, not everyone in the community decides to work with my company (Opes). And not everyone invests in New Builds. And that’s how it should be.

Shannon came on to share her experience using Airbnb to pay off her mortgages.

Abe is just 29 years old and shared how he’s subdividing properties to make money.

Lochie shared how he bought his first investment property with a group of 5 friends.

Each of these stories makes me smile. This is why we started the podcast.

It’s not about Ed and I berating each other (or cracking jokes about property).

It's you, proving that property investment is possible for everyday Kiwis.

So, yes – happy birthday to the Property Academy Podcast.

But our real success isn’t the number of downloads. It’s not the number of episodes.

The true success is you.

Real people making real investment decisions. Doing what it takes to meaningfully improve your own life.

So here’s to you. The podcast wouldn’t be what it is without you.