Case Studies
Case study: We made $101,000 before our property was even built
Learn how a New Plymouth couple turned smart advice and timing into a six-figure win ... and what other investors can learn from their story.
Hi, I’m Dennis. I’ve been part of the Opes team since 2017, and in that time, I’ve had the privilege of meeting thousands of investors, and helping hundreds in taking action to better their lives through property investment.
As a financial adviser, I love working with people - whether you’re buying your first investment, growing your portfolio, or just wanting a solid strategy that provides you real confidence and clarity about the future.
I love connecting with people and helping them navigate the investment process with clarity. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people take control of their financial future, and I really value how Opes takes a long-term, big-picture approach - just like I do.
Outside of work, I’m all about spending time with my family and making the most of the outdoors. You’ll often find me playing squash, out hunting or fishing, hitting the golf course, or doing anything that promotes a good work/life balance.
If you’re ready to take that next step, let’s chat. We can talk about your goals, build a plan, and give you the tools to work towards your dreams.
More from Dennis
What's it like working with Dennis?
Check out my featured episode on The Property Academy Podcast:
Episode 948: Case Study Sunday – How This Kiwi Couple Will Retire on $150k With A Handful Of Properties
Episode 1249: Case Study Sunday - Selling an Investment to Pay off Your Mortgage. How Tom + Sammie Did It
Reviews
5/5 stars Great Introductory Chat
Had a great introductory chat with Dennis who was awesome at giving me some new perspectives to consider during the process.Will D.18/11/20255/5 stars Honest and Thoughtful Guidance
We met with Dennis from Opes Partners and were really impressed. He came prepared, asked great questions, and helped us get clear on where we are now and what we’re aiming for. We learned a lot from him. In the end we decided that buying an investment property isn’t the right move for us right now, but Dennis made the whole process easy to understand and never pushed us. Highly recommend him for honest, thoughtful guidance.Hazel Y.14/11/20255/5 stars Safe, Supportive, and Professional Experience
Excellent service! We’ve been working with Dennis Schipper for about a year now, and they’ve been amazing to deal with. Even when things on our end have been a bit chaotic, Dennis has always been understanding and judgment-free. It’s such a safe and supportive space to talk about our hopes and plans. We’re feeling really positive and excited about our future retirement!Tauarua T.31/10/20255/5 stars Truly embodies Opes’ ‘lifetime care’ approach
I honestly can't recommend Opes enough for people looking to get started in property investment. Dennis has helped me get into my first investment property, and all the numbers and costs he projected? Bang on the money a year later. Buying an investment property is stressful, and Dennis just made the whole first year feel manageable. He was always there, answering every email, reaffirming my decisions, and generally just being a really good guy. In those moments of crisis or doubt, he actually listens, reassures you, and if a problem does pop up, he knows exactly who to put you in contact with. We've been talking for 4-5 years now, and he still always makes time. He's been amazing and truly embodies Opes' 'lifetime care' approach. He's been a fantastic partner in this.Moritz S.30/10/20255/5 stars Top notch support
Dennis has been am amazing support during the process of purchasing a rental property. The support he has given has been top notch.Fraser D.20/10/20255/5 stars Thorough, knowledgeable, and strategic
I've been working with Dennis at Opes for a while now, and I couldn't recommend him more highly. He recently helped me review and update my property portfolio, and I really appreciated how thorough, knowledgeable, and strategic he was. Dennis took the time to walk me through current performance across my properties, updated all the key details in the Opes+ platform, and provided a clear scenario for a future investment opportunity in Christchurch. His advice is always tailored, realistic, and easy to understand — it’s great having someone who genuinely looks out for your long-term success. Looking forward to reconnecting again in 2026 after a few key changes on my side. If you're thinking about property investment, Dennis is definitely someone you want in your corner.Sumith Y.19/10/20255/5 stars Professional, knowledgeable, personable and insightful
I really recommend Opes Partners. I spoke with Dennis a one to one meeting. He was professional, knowledgeable, personable and insightful. There Opes Plus tool is fantastic. If you haven't checked out Opes Partners and Opes Plus, I strongly recommend you do so. I can not rate these guys and their platform highly enough.Sandra14/10/20255/5 stars Work through a plan that suits us
Really enjoying working with Dennis. We're new to property investing and it was great to be able to sit down with someone and work through a plan that suits us. We had lots of questions, learned a lot along the way and are now on our way to our first property. Highly recommend working with Opes.Sue & Greg C.14/10/20255/5 stars Made it feel achievable
We can’t thank Dennis enough for spending so much time with us right from the beginning. We were pretty nervous and hesitant to take the first step into property investment, but Dennis made it feel achievable. He took the time to explain everything clearly and shared his own experience and insights, which really helped us understand the process and feel confident in our decisions. His genuine approach and patience made a big difference, and we’re really grateful for all his support and continued support. We highly recommend Dennis and Opes team!K&M H.13/10/20255/5 stars You always have the support of an amazing and dedicated team
I had an an amazing experience with Dennis from Opes Partners. After listening to my two major goals, he made a Wealth Plan that showed me when I will be able to achieve my first goal and what I need to focus on to get there. Dennis was very easy to talk to and nothing felt like it was too much for him. He realised that at this stage I needed more an Investment Ready Coach and has forwarded on my details and aspirations to him. Despite not being in a position to use Dennis yet, he never once made me feel that I still was not supported from him and has giving me extra content to read/watch to help me on my journey. I would highly recommend using Dennis and the team from Opes! All of their content on their website is extremely informative and easy to use, making the process and the journey to achieving your goals so much easier and you never feel like you are alone in doing so,. You always have the support of an amazing and dedicated team beside you.Jen G.6/10/20255/5 stars Patience and guidance throughout
I really appreciated Dennis' patience and guidance throughout our lengthy process. He really went the extra mile for us.John H.30/9/20255/5 stars Absolutely amazing to work with
Absolutely amazing to work with. I looked for a financial advisor for quite a while before finding one that was on the same page as me. Thank you, Dennis. Dennis for the investment strategy was awesome, Gary in mortgages was a legend, and the team behind the scenes did not skip a beat. My CRM was seamless between Olivia, Carina and Lisa, (hope I didn't miss anyone). And thank you for the thoughtful gift. I would not hesitate to recommend these guys for your investment journey towards retirement and beyond. Ngā mihi nui team, Kia Kaha.Hana S.17/9/20255/5 stars Provides robust feedback
Excellent session with Dennis Schipper, he's knowledgeable, easy to chat with and provides robust feedbackJuan A.5/5/20255/5 stars Made the home-buying process enjoyable and stress-free
I recently worked with April, Sammy, Dennis and Vivienne from Opes to purchase my first home, and I can't recommend them highly enough. The team made the home-buying process enjoyable and stress-free. They took the time to understand my needs and preferences, ensuring I found the perfect first investment in alignment with my wealth plan we created together. Their positive attitude and enthusiasm made the journey fun and exciting. As a first-time buyer, I had a lot to learn, and they patiently guided me through each step, providing all the information I needed to feel confident and informed. Outstanding service, excellent communication, and a fun, educational experience. Thank you so much guys! Absolutely stoked.Charlotte V.2/2/20255/5 stars I'm growing my portfolio without the complications that I'd had while out on my own
Outstanding! Opes Partners have changed everything. Their passive build and hold strategy is a perfect fit for me. No more renovations and organizing Tradies etc while working my normal job. Yuck! Thanks to a very focused, thoughtful and all round great guy of a Financial Adviser(Yes Dennis, you mate!), I'm growing my portfolio without the complications that I'd had while out on my own. My Client Relationship Manager has made my current purchase a breeze(That's all you Viv!) The detail of each step is consistently communicated and for the most part taken care of for me. Goodness, I'm so grateful for that! I've spent thousands in the past on property investment programs that even with all the effort I'd put in yielded little return. That's not to put down the programs but to highlight their strategies weren't for me. At this stage, Opes offer their service at no cost. Unbelievable! I receive ongoing training through their podcasts and webinar's and the data they provide of the market is current and researched by reliable sources. We're encouraged to check for ourselves. I've given mention to only a small portion of what these guys are up to. If this strategy suits you, tap in or at least check out what they have to offer. You won't be disappointed. Saving that deposit for the first one was the hardest part. Working with Opes just took a load off as started to move forward. Like I said....Outstanding!Michael C30/7/20245/5 stars Our settlement at 6/22 Rutherford Street Woolston went very smoothly
Our settlement at 6/22 Rutherford Street Woolston went very smoothly, a big thank you to Vivienne for her highly organised work. We had tenants moved in straight away, rent is at $675 per week instead of the old appraisal of $620. It’s a great purchase, thank you Dennis for your recommendation.Cherie13/6/20235/5 stars I whole heartedly believe in what Opes provide
The thing about Opes Partners is that they really are your 'partners' and truly want to help everyone work towards the best possible outcome regardless of situation. As first time investors we, like so many others, were simply astounded by the information, support, team of people and affiliated companies that Opes provide. They put your mind at ease and help guide you through the 10 year plan and process making it exciting and unbelievably easy for what seems a huge step the first time. Unfortunately for us, we were flying high on equity and the low interest rates (early 2022) when we decided to jump on board but did not make some important decisions when required to reduce our debt levels or spending when the economy ran into some issues (late 2022 to 2023). Despite the bank declining the rest of our mortgage 12 months after providing the deposit and the fact we were contractually obligated to complete our purchase, Dennis (our property partner) & Andrew ( Managing Partner) were very understanding of our situation and quick to jump to our aid....once again working as a partnership between us, Opes, the developer, brokers, lawyers and accountants to ensure the best possible outcome for all involved. Although a bitter sweet moment for us at the time, we will forever be indebted to Opes for the way were were treated and helped out of a potentially dire situation. I whole heartedly believe in what Opes provide and once the market recovers, and with our lessons learned, we will touch base again to re-start our 10 year plan! 'The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges'. Martin Luther King Jr.Brian & Ruth4/8/2023