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Is 2026 a "Goldilocks" year for buyers, or is a rate hike trap set for mid-year?

In this week's Week in Review, Debbie Roberts (Property Apprentice) cuts through the contradictory headlines. We explore why major banks are predicting an OCR hike, why insurers are retreating from Westport, and if the "doer-upper" dream is dead.

We cover:

• Interest Rate Warning: Why ASB & ANZ predict a mid-year rise.
• "Goldilocks" Market: Why first-home buyers are winning right now.
• Insurance Halt: A major insurer freezes new policies in Westport.
• Forecast Downgrade: ANZ cuts 2026 price growth to 2%.
• Renovations: Why buyers are ditching DIY for turnkey homes.

📢 FREE MASTERCLASS: Don't guess your way through 2026. Join our free online event to learn strategies for this volatile market. 👉 Register here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz

Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: The Market Tug of War 1:05 - Interest Rates: Mid-Year Hike Warning 3:20 - First Home Buyers: "Goldilocks" Conditions 5:45 - Insurance Retreat: Westport Freeze 8:10 - Market Update: ANZ Downgrades Prices 10:30 - The Death of the "Doer-Upper" 13:15 - Free Masterclass Invite

Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Not personalized financial advice.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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In this episode, Debbie Roberts from Property Apprentice discusses the hot topic of whether KiwiSaver should be made compulsory or remain voluntary. With recent media attention and political proposals suggesting a shift toward a mandatory model similar to Australia’s, it is a conversation that every New Zealander should be following.

Debbie breaks down the potential impact of these changes on your take-home pay, your ability to secure a first-home deposit, and your long-term retirement goals.

Key Topics Discussed:

• The Case for Compulsion: How mandatory savings could close the "savings gap" for New Zealanders and strengthen the national economy.
• The Impact on Your Wallet: The potential downsides of reduced take-home pay during a cost-of-living crisis and the increased costs for businesses.
• The First-Home Gateway: Why KiwiSaver remains the primary tool for many to enter the property market and how compulsory savings could lead to larger deposits and better bank lending terms.
• Financial Discipline: Why the habit of living on slightly less than you earn is a crucial trait for any successful property investor.
• Taking Control: Why you shouldn't wait for government legislation to secure your financial future.

Take Action for Your Future

Whether the rules change or not, your focus should remain on a long-term strategy. If you aren't already a client of Property Apprentice, we invite you to take control of your financial journey today.

👉 Register for our next FREE online event: How to Succeed with Property Investing

#PropertyApprentice #NZPropertyMarket #KiwiSaver #NZInvesting #FinancialEducation #AucklandProperty #FinancialAdviser #NZProperty #FirstHomeBuyerNZ #RetirementPlanning

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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As of January 15th, 2026, the rules for building minor dwellings in New Zealand have officially changed. The headlines say "No Consent Needed" for builds under 70sqm, but the fine print says something very different.

In this premiere episode, Paul and Debbie Roberts (Property Apprentice) strip away the media hype to look at the practical details that actually matter to your portfolio. We break down the specific "gotchas" in the new Building and Construction Amendment Act—specifically regarding wet areas and accessibility—and why your choice of builder is now a massive liability issue.

Plus, we look at the surprising rebound in the NZ job market. While more jobs are great for paying rent, we discuss why this "good news" might actually slow down the OCR cuts we were all hoping for. Finally, we issue an urgent warning for self-managing landlords regarding a specific email from Tenancy Services that you cannot afford to ignore.

In this episode, we cover:

The 70sqm Exemption: What you can build, what you can't, and why "exempt" doesn't mean "rule-free."

The "Shower Trap": Why installing a level-entry shower for an elderly relative might technically trigger a consent requirement.

Liability Shifts: Why the homeowner is now the guarantee, not the Council.

Economic Update: Why a hiring boom in 2026 could result in "sticky" inflation and mortgage rates.

Landlord Admin: The missing "LNL" code you need to access the new Tenancy Bond Hub.

Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to NZ Property Insights 0:55 - New Granny Flat Rules (70sqm Exemption) Explained 2:15 - The "Granny" Trap: Wet Areas & Accessibility 4:30 - The Resource Consent Misconception 6:20 - 2026 Economic Shift: Jobs vs. Inflation 8:45 - What High Employment Means for Mortgage Rates 9:45 - Urgent: The "LNL" Code for Self-Managing Landlords

Resources & Links: Learn how to create a property strategy that works in the 2026 market. Register for our upcoming free online event, "How to Succeed with Property Investing." 👉 Register here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz/auckland-events/

About Property Apprentice: Property Apprentice is New Zealand’s leading property investment education and coaching provider. We offer 100% impartial advice—we don't sell property, so our only goal is to help you achieve financial freedom through safe, strategic investing.

Subscribe for more data-driven NZ property market updates.

#NZProperty #GrannyFlats #PropertyInvestmentNZ #InterestRatesNZ #LandlordAdvice #PropertyApprentice #PaulandDebbieRoberts #NZRealEstate #BuildingConsent #PassiveIncome

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

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Are we in a recovery or a price crash? In this week's episode, we tackle the mixed signals hitting the New Zealand market. BNZ economists are telling us "don't stop believin'" as business confidence hits multi-year highs, yet Trade Me data shows asking prices plummeted by over $80,000 in the last two months of 2025.

We break down why REINZ says buyer confidence (and FOMO) is officially returning, despite the confusing data out of regions like Gisborne. Plus, we dive into the "Oil Tanker" effect—why dropping interest rates haven't put more money in your pocket yet—and settle the decade-long debate: Did KiwiSaver actually outperform property investment over the last 10 years?

Topic #1: NZ Adviser 22nd of January - "Don’t stop believin’" in NZ recovery: BNZ economist

Topic #2: RNZ 22nd of January - Confidence returning to property market, REINZ says

Topic #3: Good Returns 21st of January - Why mortgage holders don’t feel like there is more money in their pocket

Topic #4: 1News 20th of January - KiwiSaver or your house - which will give better investment returns?

Topic #5: Interest.co.nz 21st of January - Average asking price of residential properties listed on Trade Me Property sank $82,500 in November and December - Auckland down $126,400, Gisborne takes a huge hit

🚀 FREE EVENT: How to Succeed with Property Investing Confused by the mixed data? Don't guess your way through 2026. Join us for our free online masterclass where we share strategies to navigate this volatility, understand the "lag," and build a portfolio that works. 👉 Register for your free spot here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz/auckland-events/

Book a free, no-obligation meeting with Paul Roberts: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz/free-strategy-call

#NZProperty #PropertyInvesting #KiwiSaver #InterestRatesNZ #BNZ #RealEstateNZ #FinancialFreedom #PropertyApprenti

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.

Is the "Buyer's Market" finally here? In this first episode of 2026, we break down a massive week for New Zealand real estate. The data is in: December stock levels have hit a 10-year high, giving buyers more choice than we've seen in a decade. But with new rules for Granny Flats kicking in today and economists predicting a twist in the OCR tale, the window of opportunity might be moving faster than you think.

We discuss the new legislation allowing 70sqm minor dwellings without consent—a game-changer for adding value and yield . We also dive into the latest lending disputes regarding age limits on mortgages and why Westpac and Tony Alexander are warning that the upcoming election could throw price predictions off course.

In this episode, we cover:

• 🏠 Record Listings: Realestate.co.nz reports the highest December stock levels since 2014.
• 🔨 Granny Flats Unleashed: The new "no-consent" rules for 70sqm builds start today—but there are conditions.
• 📉 OCR Forecast: Why Westpac is now pencilling in a rate hike post-election.
• 🗳️ Election Impact: Tony Alexander explains why the 2026 election makes forecasting house prices risky.
• 👵 Lending Rules: How old is "too old" for a 30-year mortgage?

🚀 FREE EVENT: How to Succeed with Property Investing Join us for our free online masterclass where we share strategies to navigate this new market window, utilize the new density rules, and build a portfolio that works. 👉 Register here

Book a free, no-obligation chat with Paul here: https://www.propertyapprentice.co.nz/free-strategy-call/

Sources & Articles Discussed

00:01:17 Topic #1: Good Returns 13th of January - One OCR hike pencilled in by Westpac

00:02:58 Topic #2: 1News 15th of January - No-consent granny flats from today, but it's 'not a free-for-all'

00:04:41 Topic #3: RNZ 13th of January - How old is too old for a home loan?

00:08:28 Topic #4: Oneroof.co.nz 14th of January - Tony Alexander: Why the 2026 election is throwing house price predictions off course

00:11:21 Topic #5: Realestate.co.nz 12th of January - Rare advantage for property seekers as stock hits 10-year De

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.

Topic #1: Stuff 10th of December - Capital crunch: Central Wellington now has the cheapest property in the country

Topic #2: RNZ 9th of December - GST used to be 10%, is it going to rise again?

Topic #3: Interest.co.nz 11th of December- Average asking prices on Trade Me Property cooled in most regions in November

Topic #4: RNZ 9th of December - The OCR is down, so why are home loans rising?

Topic #5: Financial Markets Authority 11th of December - FMA censures Opes for breaching financial advice provider licensee obligations

A special thanks to Feedspot for naming us as one of the "Top New Zealand Real Estate Podcasts".

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.

Topic #1: The Mortgage Mag 4th of December - Buyers sitting on the sidelines in best time to buy in a decade

Topic #2: RNZ 3rd of December - Westpac launches scheme to help owners protect homes from extreme weather

Topic #3: Cotality 4th of December- Property values still in a holding pattern

Topic #4: RNZ 2nd of December - Adjustment to single pension rate may be prompting women to borrow against homes

Topic #5: RNZ 2nd December - Consumer and business credit demand improves again in October

A special thanks to Feedspot for naming us as one of the "Top New Zealand Real Estate Podcasts".

#NZProperty #RealEstateNZ #FirstHomeBuyer #PropertyInvestment #HousingMarket #BuyNow #PropertyApprentice #InvestmentOpportunity #RealEstateTips #FinancialFreedom

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.

Topic #1: Good Returns 26th of November- OCR Cut: What the RBNZ said

Topic #2: RNZ 26th of November - Is it cheaper to pay a mortgage, or rent?

Topic #3: TradeMe 28th of November- OCR predictions for 2026 & 2027

Topic #4: RNZ 26th of November - The rising cost of taking a gamble on the what-ifs

Topic #5: NZ Herald 24th of November - KiwiSaver 12% plan risks backfiring without total pay ban, provider warns

#PropertyApprentice #NZProperty #RentVsBuy #FirstHomeBuyerNZ #FinancialFreedom #RNZ #PropertyInvestmentNZ #PaulAndDebbieRoberts

Support the show

Disclaimer: The information provided in this video is for educational purposes only and does not constitute personalized financial advice. We recommend seeking advice from a qualified professional before making any investment decisions.

*Property Advice Group Limited trading as Property Apprentice has been granted a FULL Licence with the Financial Markets Authority of New Zealand. (FSP Number: FSP157564) Debbie Roberts | Financial Adviser (FSP221305) For our Public disclosure statement please go to our website or you may request a copy free of charge.