15 Sep 2026

5 Paid-Off Rentals vs. 15 with Mortgages The Math Will Change How You Invest

About this episode

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 cashflow
Why the "worse" properties can produce around 14x more free cash
When to leverage to build wealth, and when to pay down for income

Leverage builds wealth, but it doesn't pay you. Knowing when to switch is the whole retirement plan.

Want to become a successful property investor? Opes+ is your one place to run numbers on all your investment properties.” Check out the new app here.

Ok, now for the legal bit:

The Property Academy Podcast is for your general information. It’s not financial advice.

So the hosts aren’t telling you what to do with your own money. We’ve made every effort to make sure the information is accurate. But we occasionally get the odd fact wrong.

Make sure you do your own research or talk to a financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

Related podcasts in this series

14 Sep 2026
Why NZ's Cheapest Towns Are Getting Less Affordable
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 now
- The places getting better fastest, and the ones slipping away
- Why "more affordable" doesn't always mean "affordable"
Affordability isn't just a snapshot. It can be a signal of where prices could go next.
Want to stay ahead of the financial game with our exclusive Interest Rate Insight Report, tailored just for you. Each month you’ll receive the latest interest rates and predictions straight to your inbox.
Why NZ's Cheapest Towns Are Getting Less Affordable
13 Sep 2026
How Much You ACTUALLY Need To Retire In 2026 [New Tool]
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 2026
- How to tell if you've already saved too much
- The one screen that shows you your entire financial life
The years you can best enjoy your money are often the ones people spend working. Knowing your number is how you get them back.
Want to find out how much you'll need to save each week until retirement? Use our retirement calculator to find out.
How Much You ACTUALLY Need To Retire In 2026 [New Tool]
12 Sep 2026
From 0 To 30 Properties In 17 Years – How This Kiwi Accountant Did It
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 know
Peter'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.nz
Inspired by today's case study? Find out if you can afford an investment property with our quick quiz.
From 0 To 30 Properties In 17 Years – How This Kiwi Accountant Did It
11 Sep 2026
I Want My Wife To Retire When I Do – How To Set Money Goals That Actually Work
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 have
- Why standard retirement calculators don't work for property investors
- What 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.
Want to become a successful property investor? Opes+ is your one place to run numbers on all your investment properties.” Check out the new app here.
I Want My Wife To Retire When I Do – How To Set Money Goals That Actually Work

5 Paid-Off Rentals vs. 15 with Mortgages The Math Will Change How You Invest

About this episode

Why NZ's Cheapest Towns Are Getting Less Affordable

How Much You ACTUALLY Need To Retire In 2026 [New Tool]

From 0 To 30 Properties In 17 Years – How This Kiwi Accountant Did It

I Want My Wife To Retire When I Do – How To Set Money Goals That Actually Work