Most investors need at least $250,000 in usable equity or capital for our Accelerate program, and $500,000+ for our Boardroom program.

Accelerate (Single-Dwelling Investments)

For Accelerate, $250,000 of usable equity typically allows you to fund:

• the deposit

• the renovation budget

• and your coaching fee

Each project is different, so it’s hard to give a definitive figure — but this is a good guide for most investors. Your mortgage adviser will confirm what’s possible with your lending, and our Power Teams provide renovation quotes for each specific project so you can understand the likely cost of adding value.

Boardroom (Multi-Unit Investments)

For Boardroom, $500,000+ of usable equity typically allows you to fund:

• the deposit

• the renovation budget

• and your coaching fee

This higher equity requirement is simply because multi-unit properties have higher purchase prices, typically starting from around $700,000 and increasing from there depending on size, condition, and location.

Ultimately, the more usable equity you have, the more choices you have in the market — whether that means buying a higher-value property or completing multiple projects in a year.

Yes - many investors use equity from their own home or an existing investment property to fund their next purchase. This is one of the most common ways people get started in property investing.

How much equity you can use depends on your lending position, income and your bank’s criteria. Your mortgage adviser or broker will confirm exactly what’s possible for you.

In our coaching programs, most clients invest using a combination of:

• equity from their own home

• equity from an existing rental

• and/or savings or cash contributions

Many clients also use equity to pay for our coaching fee.

A good mortgage broker can usually arrange this as part of the lending approval process, depending on your situation.

If you want to understand how equity can support a value-add investment strategy, you can read more about our approach here:
https://www.wolfeproperty.co.nz/accelerate

Typical purchase prices depend on the program you’re in and the type of property you’re targeting.

Accelerate (Single-Dwelling Investments)

Accelerate clients generally buy single-dwelling houses in the $350,000–$450,000 range. These properties usually allow for value-add renovations that support our 8%+ gross yield target.

Boardroom (Multi-Unit Investments)

Boardroom clients typically purchase multi-unit properties ranging from $700,000 to $3 million, depending on the number of units (usually 3–12 per title), the condition of the building, and the location. These projects are selected to support our 10%+ gross yield target.

Purchase price will always vary by market conditions, lending capacity, and the opportunities available at the time — but these ranges provide a solid guide for most investors.

Most value-add renovations for our clients sit between $50,000 and $100,000, depending on the property and what’s required to increase the rental income.

A core principle of our strategy is simple:

We teach you how to take a cost-effective renovation approach - where every dollar is spent only on changes that directly increase the rental income in some way.

This is where many investors go wrong. Overspending, or spending on the wrong things, can destroy the economics of a deal. Knowing what not to do is often more important than knowing what to do.

Your local Power Teams provide the renovation quotes and scopes for each specific project, and we coach you on how to prioritise the works that will have the biggest impact on your rental income and overall return.

This renovation decision-making process is one of the most important parts of our coaching, because getting it wrong can completely change the outcome of a deal.

Wolfe Property is a cashflow-first coaching program. Our focus is on helping you target strong rental income and specific gross yield targets — 8%+ for Accelerate and 10%+ for Boardroom — through smarter renovations and better property selection.

We don’t rely on market growth to improve the numbers. Instead, we coach you on how to create rental uplift through value-add renovations, and your local Power Teams provide the quotes, rental appraisals, and renovation scopes for each project so you can assess opportunities with clarity.

Every project is different, and outcomes depend on the property you buy, the renovation decisions made, lending settings, and market conditions. What we can say is that our strategy is built to prioritise cashflow from day one, with the added benefit that value uplift often occurs naturally when you improve the asset.

If you want to see recent examples of what clients have achieved, you can view real projects here:
https://www.wolfeproperty.co.nz/casestudies

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From our point of view, a good investment property should be cashflow-positive from day one - but you rarely achieve that by buying as-is.The best investments are the ones where you can create the rental uplift through targeted renovations, which is what enables the property to become cashflow-positive from day one.

A strong investment property typically has:

• Clear rental uplift potential - the ability to increase rent through smart, cost-effective improvements you can control.

• A genuine value-add opportunity — where targeted renovations unlock a higher income or better tenant demand.

• Cashflow that covers the core operational costs — interest payments, insurance, rates, maintenance and property management.

• Strong local tenant demand — backed by rental appraisals from local experts.

• Solid due diligence — no missing information or surprises that undermine the numbers.

• A purchase price that supports value-add — so the deal still works after renovation and holding costs.

Most investors assume they must top up a rental for years because they buy properties that can’t be improved.

We teach investors how to identify value-add opportunities where you can create the uplift - not wait for it - so the property can perform from day one.

We gather as much information as pragmatically possible before a property goes unconditional - so you’re making an informed decision, not a hopeful one.
Most investors only discover the real numbers after they’ve already bought. We do the opposite.

Our analysis focuses on four core areas:

1. Rental income forecast

We get rental appraisals from local experts and project the rental income based on the post-renovation result, not the current condition.

2. Renovation scope and estimated costs

Together with the local Power Teams, you’ll confirm the renovation scope and obtain estimates for the work.
We work together to help you understand which improvements are most likely to create rental uplift and which ones may not justify the cost.

3. Cashflow and performance

Based on the information received, we help you calculate the expected cashflow using our ROI calculator.
This includes operational expenses such as interest, insurance, rates, maintenance and property management, so you can see whether the property is likely to perform once renovated.

4. Condition, compliance and risk

You complete a structured due diligence checklist that covers the property's condition, compliance status, risks and any unknowns that need clarification before going unconditional.

We can’t predict every outcome - no one can - but this process removes as many unknowns as practically possible before the deal becomes unconditional, so you can move forward with clarity.

You decide if a property is right by looking at its rental uplift potential and the value you can add through targeted renovations. We teach you how to assess both upfront, before the property goes unconditional.

Most investors struggle because they don’t know what information to gather - or how to calculate whether a property will actually perform. We teach you how to gather the right information upfront, including renovation quotes, rental appraisals and scopes from your local Power Teams.

Most investors only learn these numbers after they’ve already bought the property.
We teach you how to mitigate as many risks as possible upfront, so you can make the most educated decision with the information available.

Ultimately, the decision is always yours - and if a property doesn’t meet your criteria, we move on quickly and find one that does.

Our ecosystem is what sets us apart - our clients have access to off-market deals and the ability to buy and renovate anywhere in the country with our nationwide Power Teams, giving them opportunities most investors will never see.

Instead of being stuck in your postcode, you can follow the best deals nationally.

Here’s what makes our coaching different:

• A unique off-market network
  Our clients get access to off-market opportunities through a network of dedicated deal sourcers. This means reduced competition and the chance to see deals that never reach the public market.

• Nationwide investing
  Clients can buy and renovate from Whangārei to Dunedin through our established local Power Teams. You’re no longer limited to your suburb, city or comfort zone.

• Run by an active investor, not a theorist
  Ilse has built a $20m portfolio of 30+ investment properties and overseen more than 400 renovations. The coaching is based on real experience and real outcomes.

• Cashflow-first, value-add strategy
  Most coaches still chase capital gains. We teach value-add investing, rental uplift and strong yields so the property can perform from day one.

• No commissions or kickbacks
  We work solely for the client - no hidden incentives from agents, suppliers or builders.

If you want a coaching ecosystem that gives you access, reach and capability well beyond the average investor, that’s what makes Wolfe Property different.

Cashflow Hacking™ is Wolfe Property’s value-add renovation system that focuses on creating rental uplift so a property can become cashflow-positive from day one.

Instead of buying a property and hoping it will eventually pay for itself, Cashflow Hacking™ is about creating performance through targeted improvements.

The method focuses on three core principles:

• Increase the rent through smart, cost-effective upgrades
  Every dollar should directly contribute to rental uplift - not cosmetic overspending.

• Follow a proven renovation framework
  You learn how to prioritise the updates that make the biggest difference to income, demand and tenant appeal. No unnecessary work, no wasted spend.

• Improve the property’s value through practical, rental-focused changes
  When the rent rises, the property’s value often rises alongside it.

Cashflow Hacking™ is a refined version of the BRRRR strategy, built on Ilse’s Wolfe’s experience across 400+ renovations.
It’s designed to reduce renovation mistakes, keep projects fast, and turn an average property into a strong performer.

You can learn more about the approach in our coaching programs:
https://www.wolfeproperty.co.nz/accelerate

Accelerate is best for investors who want to buy single-dwelling properties, complete value-add renovations, and build long-term cashflow. Boardroom is best for investors ready to purchase multi-unit assets and scale faster. Both programs use the same cashflow-first strategy, but they suit different levels of experience and available equity.

Accelerate - Best for single-dwelling investors

Accelerate is ideal if you:

• are buying your first or second investment property

• want clear guidance on how to find, assess and renovate a single dwelling

• want to learn a value-add strategy you can repeat over time

• have at least $250,000 in usable equity or capital

• want a structured system for analysing deals and making confident decisions

Accelerate is designed to help you buy strong value-add properties, complete targeted renovations, and build positive cashflow early in your investing journey.

Boardroom - Best for multi-unit investors

Boardroom is best suited for investors who:

• want to purchase multi-unit blocks (typically 3–12 units)

• are comfortable making assertive decisions with higher-value assets

• have $500,000+ in usable equity or capital

• want to scale their portfolio quickly using larger value-add projects

• prefer a more advanced strategy with greater renovation scope

Boardroom is a more intensive program and suits investors who already understand the basics of buying property and want to move into higher-yield, multi-income assets.

The Hands-Free service is designed for time-poor investors who want the full Wolfe Property results delivered for them, while still staying in control of all major decisions.

It’s commonly used by CEOs, All Blacks, and other professional athletes who earn well but don’t have the hours available to search for deals, run due diligence, or manage renovations.

Wolfe Property manages the project on your behalf — and you approve the key decisions.

Here’s how it works:

• Property Search & Filtering
  Wolfe Property leads the search, analyses opportunities, and filters out anything that doesn’t meet your criteria. You only see the deals worth considering. Most options are declined before they ever reach you.

• Negotiation Support
  When you approve a deal to move forward, Wolfe Property leads the negotiation process on your behalf, using the same approach Ilse has applied across hundreds of successful purchases.

• Due Diligence Management
  We coordinate due diligence by engaging local Power Teams - builders, inspectors, valuers, and property managers. All information is summarised clearly so you can make informed decisions before going unconditional.

• Renovation Project Management
  Once purchased, Wolfe Property manages the renovation alongside the local Power Teams. You approve the renovation scope; our network executes the work to maximise rental uplift quickly and efficiently.

• Tenanting & Handover
  After renovations, Wolfe Property briefs the property manager to get the home tenant-ready and secure tenants as quickly as practical.

Throughout the process, you make all major decisions — but none of the heavy lifting sits on your shoulders.

Hands-Free is ideal for investors who value efficiency, want a premium service, or invest from outside their region or overseas.

No - and you should be cautious of anyone who claims they can.
Property has variables that no coach or investor can control, including the property you buy, renovation decisions, lending settings and wider market conditions.

What we focus on is helping you make informed decisions based on as much information as pragmatically possible.
We teach you how to gather the right information upfront, analyse it properly and understand the risks before a property goes unconditional - something many investors skip.

Ilse has built a $20m portfolio of 30+ investment properties and overseen more than 400 renovations. The coaching is built from that experience, including the lessons and mistakes made early on, so you can avoid the common pitfalls that catch most investors out.

You remain in control of every decision - we provide the structure, questions and process to help you make those decisions with clarity.

Yes - while not every purchase will be off-market, our clients get access to off-market opportunities through a network of dedicated deal sourcers we brief with their investment criteria. These are deals that never reach Trade Me or public listings, which reduces competition and often leads to stronger buying conditions.

Off-market deals are especially valuable for value-add investors because you can move quickly, assess the numbers early and avoid multi-offer situations.

Our ecosystem gives you:

• access to opportunities most investors never see

• deal flow across multiple regions, not just your city

• the ability to follow the best numbers, not your postcode

• faster movement from deal arriving → analysis → offer

• clearer negotiations without public competition

There are still excellent on-market deals worth buying - but having off-market access is one of the biggest advantages our clients have.

Wolfe Property coaching combines personalised strategy, one-on-one support, and access to the systems we use to find and assess high-yield investment properties anywhere in New Zealand.

Here’s what clients get:

1. Personalised Investment Strategy

We help you define clear investment goals and build the criteria you’ll use to assess every deal - including budget, yield targets, renovation scope and long-term portfolio planning.

2. Access to Off-Market Deals

One of Wolfe Property’s biggest advantages is our off-market network. We brief your investment criteria to trusted deal sourcers who bring suitable properties directly to you — before they ever reach the public market.

This means you’re not competing with dozens of buyers on Trade Me or at open homes. Many clients end up purchasing through these off-market channels (especially Boardroom investors), although strong on-market deals still exist too.
Off-market access simply gives you far more opportunities — and far less competition.

3. One-on-One Coaching

You get ongoing personalised support and direct coaching. We guide you through the analysis, due diligence, renovation decision-making and overall strategy for each project.

4. Nationwide Local Power Teams

You can invest anywhere in New Zealand because you’ll be connected to established local Power Teams - including builders, project managers, property managers and other on-the-ground professionals.

They provide the quotes, rental appraisals and renovation scopes for each specific project, and we help you interpret that information so you can make confident decisions.

5. Deal Analysis Training

We teach you how to analyse deals using our cashflow-first approach - including rental uplift potential, renovation impact and yield targets. This removes guesswork so you can make informed decisions at speed.

6. Cashflow Hack Online Education Portal

Full access to on-demand training, templates, case studies, examples and community discussions so you can learn at your own pace and revisit content anytime.

7. Group Learning & Market Updates

You’ll join regular group sessions with live case studies, Power Team insights, market commentary and examples of real client projects happening nationwide.

You will keep searching with us until you secure a property that meets your criteria - we don’t stop just because the first few deals don’t stack up.

Not finding a property quickly is completely normal. The real skill is knowing which deals to say “no” to, not rushing into the wrong one.

Here’s how it works:

• You’ll say “no” far more often than you say “yes”
  Most investors don’t realise how many properties don’t stack up once you run the numbers properly.
  This is a big part of why people end up with negatively geared rentals.

• We keep analysing deals until the right one appears
  You’ll continuously review on-market listings and off-market opportunities from our deal sourcers.
  If a property doesn’t meet your criteria, we simply move on.

• Your criteria act as the filter - not FOMO
  You’ll know exactly what rental uplift, renovation potential, and yield you’re aiming for.
  If it doesn’t meet your numbers, it’s not the right deal.

• Sometimes the best outcome is not buying
  Many investors buy poor deals because they feel pressured to “get on with it.”
  We’d rather you wait for a deal where the numbers make sense than rush into something that drains cash every month.

Our job is to help you analyse every opportunity thoroughly so you can make clear, data-driven decisions.
We keep supporting you until you find the right deal - not just the first one available.

Yes - most of our clients work full-time and have families. The key is relying on a wider network of trusted professionals so you’re making decisions, not managing every phone call and site visit. You don’t need to be on the tools or coordinating every part of the renovation.

Here’s what this looks like in practice:

• You focus on the key decisions
  You’re involved in choosing which deal to pursue, agreeing on the renovation scope, and signing off major steps. You’re not doing the admin or chasing trades.

• You search the market - and our wider network expands your deal flow
  You’ll still review Trade Me, real estate listings, and local opportunities yourself.
  On top of that, our off-market deal sourcers may present suitable properties that match your criteria - but this complements your own search, it doesn’t replace it.

• Local professionals do the groundwork
  Builders, project managers and property managers provide renovation pricing, timelines, rental appraisals and due diligence input.

• Your time stays focused
  Outside of a live deal, most of your time is spent reviewing shortlisted properties or learning the framework.
  During a renovation, your involvement increases slightly - but you’re approving scopes, not running the project.

• Our Hands-Free service suits very time-poor investors
  If you already know your capacity is limited, our Hands-Free option may be a better fit, because Wolfe Property guides and project-manages the entire process on your behalf, working with local professionals to carry out the renovation and prepare the home for rent.

If you’re willing to make the key decisions, you don’t need endless free time.

You need a structured process and trusted people doing the day-to-day - and that’s what makes this possible for busy investors.

It usually takes around 2 - 3 months to go from offer to being rent-ready. This includes the due diligence period, settlement, and the renovation phase.

Most investors underestimate these timelines - and the holding costs while the property earns no rent can be significant. That’s why we focus heavily on speed and efficiency.

1. Due diligence + settlement: 4–6 weeks

You gather information, complete checks, and work with your solicitor and mortgage adviser. We coach you through the due diligence process so you know what to look for before the property goes unconditional.

2. Renovation period: approximately 3–6 weeks

Your Power Teams provide the renovation scopes, quotes and timeframes. We guide you on what to prioritise so you avoid unnecessary work.
A key part of our strategy is avoiding building consents wherever possible - consents slow projects down and add unnecessary cost.

3. Ready for tenants: generally within 2 - 3 months of going under offer

Your property manager (part of your local Power Team) provides the rental appraisals and helps secure tenants once the renovation is complete.

We teach you how to move faster than most investors - removing delays, avoiding unnecessary work, and keeping your holding period as short as possible.

Some of the best places to invest in New Zealand are the regional centres where rental demand is strong, renovation potential is high, and the numbers stack up.

Many of the highest-performing value-add deals are found outside the major metros.

At Wolfe Property, most clients invest in regions such as:

• Whangārei

• Hamilton

• Rotorua

• Taupō

• Hawke’s Bay

• New Plymouth

• Palmerston North

• Wellington Region

• Christchurch

• Dunedin

These areas generally offer strong rental demand, solid economic fundamentals, and good scope to increase value through targeted renovations.

One of the biggest surprises for new investors is that 80 percent of our clients do not buy in the city they live in. The best deals are rarely in your own backyard. Clients can do this because our nationwide Power Teams make remote investing safe, fast and achievable.

If you want to understand how remote investing works and why location shouldn’t limit you, you can read our full guide here:
https://www.wolfeproperty.co.nz/education/remote-property-investment

Yes — many of our clients live overseas and successfully invest in New Zealand.
If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident living abroad, you can usually buy residential property in NZ without restriction. If you are not a citizen or permanent resident, different rules may apply and you’ll need to check eligibility under the Overseas Investment Act.

Assuming you are legally able to purchase property in New Zealand, our coaching programs are designed to support you fully from overseas. Around 20 percent of our clients live in Australia, the UK, Singapore, the Middle East and other regions.

We help you:

• search nationally using your investment criteria

• access off-market opportunities through our deal sourcers

• analyse each deal so you understand the numbers clearly

• work with our nationwide network of Power Teams to renovate remotely

• secure rental appraisals and tenant placement through local property managers

Remote investing is normal for us - the majority of clients don’t invest in the city they live in. Our systems, processes and on-the-ground Power Teams make it achievable, even from overseas.

You can read more about how remote investing works here:
https://www.wolfeproperty.co.nz/education/remote-property-investment

Most red flags are missed because investors aren’t gathering the right information - and without it, you can’t tell a poor property from a great one. That’s where costly mistakes happen.

Common red flags include:

• The numbers don’t stack up - the rent won’t cover the costs, or there’s no clear way to improve the income.

• Unclear or missing information during due diligence - delays, limited access, or surprises that make it hard to understand the true condition or financial outcome.

• Overestimating rental income - relying on “what similar homes get” instead of verified rental appraisals from local experts.

• Underestimating costs - not budgeting properly for maintenance, insurance, rates or finance expenses.

• Buying on emotion - choosing a property because it “feels right” instead of because the data proves it will perform.

• Buying in your backyard - assuming the best deals must be close to home, when most strong opportunities exist in other cities.

These are the red flags most investors miss because they’re not sure what questions to ask or what information actually matters.

At Wolfe Property, we teach investors how to analyse deals properly, gather the right due diligence, and understand the difference between a poor property, a good property, and the best property for their goals.

Yes - we help you analyse every deal before you buy, so you can make the most informed decision possible.
Most investors only discover the true numbers after they’ve already bought the property. We do the opposite - we gather as much information as practically possible upfront to reduce unknowns and avoid surprises.

Here’s what this includes:

1. Rental income forecasting
   Local property managers estimate the rent after renovation so we’re basing decisions on the future performance of the property, not its current state.

2. Renovation scope and estimated costs
   Together with trusted local Power Teams, you confirm the renovation plan and get estimated costs so you understand what improvements are likely to generate rental uplift.

3. Cashflow and return calculations
   Using our ROI calculator, we work with you to calculate projected cashflow by considering operational costs - interest, rates, insurance, maintenance - to understand how the property should perform financially.

4. Condition, compliance, and risk checks
   You receive a due diligence checklist so you can work through building condition, Healthy Homes requirements, and any potential compliance items that could affect cost or timeline.

By doing this before a property goes unconditional, we help you reduce as many unknowns as practically possible and avoid one of the most common investing mistakes - discovering issues after you already own it.

No - you don’t need to live in New Zealand to invest, as long as you meet the legal requirements to buy property here. Around 20 percent of our clients live overseas and build their NZ portfolios remotely.

Our coaching model is specifically designed to support remote investors because you don’t need to be on the ground to execute a high-performing renovation or manage a project.

Here’s why it works:

• Local Power Teams in every major city give you trusted boots on the ground for inspections, renovation work, and due diligence.

• Off-market deal sourcers bring you opportunities you wouldn’t find yourself.

• Detailed due diligence processes allow you to make informed decisions from anywhere.

• Renovation plans built around rental uplift are executed by local professionals.

• Property managers handle tenanting and ongoing management.

If you can legally purchase property in NZ, we can coach you through the full investment process whether you live in Auckland, Singapore, London, Sydney, or anywhere else.

If you focus on high-yield, cashflow-positive properties, timing the market becomes far less important than time in the market. The goal is to create strong cashflow and rental uplift so the numbers work on their own, rather than relying on the market to do the heavy lifting.

There are pros and cons to buying in every stage of the cycle:

• In softer markets, you can often:
  

  • negotiate harder on price

  • access more off-market opportunities
    

  • buy with less competition
    
    

• In stronger markets, you may:
  

  • see faster natural value growth
    

  • face more competition and multi-offer situations
    

  • need to move faster and be more selective
    
    

Our view is simple:

• Timing can help, but strategy matters more.
  

• The focus should be on buying properties where you can create rental uplift and add value through renovation, so the deal stands on its own numbers.
  
  

The more important questions are:

• Are you in a position to invest based on your lending and equity?
  

• Can you buy a property where you can create better cashflow and value through renovation?
  

• Do the numbers still work after renovation, holding costs and realistic rent?
  
  

At Wolfe Property, we don’t claim there’s a “perfect time” to buy.

We help you decide if it’s the right time for you - and if it is, we focus on finding value-add deals where the numbers stack up from day one.

If you want to be a savvy investor, don’t do what everyone else is doing - blindly accepting negatively geared investments or assuming new builds are the answer. A better way to start is to educate yourself, get clear on your goals, understand your borrowing power, and learn how to judge whether a deal actually stacks up.

Most people rush straight to Trade Me before they’ve done this groundwork.

A simple way to start is:

1. Clarify your goals

Decide what you want property to do for you:

• long-term wealth

• extra income

• ability to reduce work hours

• earlier retirement

Your goals will influence what types of properties and locations make sense.

2. Talk to a mortgage adviser

Before you look at houses, you need to know:

• how much you can borrow

• how much usable equity or cash you have

• what sort of lending structure might suit your situation

A good mortgage adviser will help you understand your borrowing position and what’s realistic.

3. Decide what type of investor you want to be

You broadly have two paths:

• Passive investor – you accept lower cashflow and largely rely on organic market growth over time.

• Active, value-add investor – you take steps to add value and increase rent, so you have more control over your financial future.

Wolfe Property is built for the second group — investors who want to be active in creating returns, not just waiting for the market.

4. Choose a strategy, not just a suburb

Many new investors start by looking in their backyard because it feels comfortable.
Instead, focus on a strategy — for example, buying existing properties where you can add value and increase rent through renovation.

5. Learn how to analyse the numbers

Before you buy, you should be able to answer:

• What is the likely rent after any improvements?

• What will the renovation cost (roughly)?

• Will the rent cover interest, insurance, rates, maintenance and management?

• What does the yield look like after the work is done?

If you can’t answer these questions, you’re effectively guessing.

6. Build the right support team

At a minimum, you’ll need:

• a mortgage adviser

• a property-focused solicitor

• local property managers for rental appraisals

• trades or builders to give you a view on renovation costs

As you grow, you may add accountants and other specialists.

7. Start small, but be deliberate

Your first purchase doesn’t have to be perfect.
What matters is that you follow a process, learn to analyse deals properly, and buy a property where there is a clear path to improving income and value — not just hoping the market will rise.

At Wolfe Property, we coach investors through this end-to-end process — from clarifying goals and strategy, to analysing deals, to executing renovations that create rental uplift.

If you want to build a portfolio faster, create real wealth, and aim for cashflow-positive investments from day one, existing properties usually offer better opportunities than new builds. With existing homes, you can add value and increase the rent, rather than just relying on organic market growth over time.

New builds as an investment

Pros:

• Lower immediate maintenance

• More predictable upfront costs (fewer unexpected repairs in the early years)

• Often come with builder warranties or guarantees, which can reduce early risk

Cons:

• No ability to add value through renovations

• Renting can be harder when 20 - 50 near-identical townhouses are listed at the same time in the same development

• Typically will be negative cashflow for years as yields are often lower because purchase prices are usually higher

• In many areas, townhouses can have lower long-term capital growth than comparable standalone homes

New builds tend to suit more passive investors who are comfortable with initial negative cashflow and happy to wait for the market to organically increase the value over time.

Existing properties as an investment

Pros:

• Often lower purchase prices than comparable new builds

• More scope to add value through renovations and adding bedrooms

• Therefore can create significant equity gains

• Potential for rental uplift if improvements are done well

• Can build a portfolio quicker by creating equity and leveraging that to buy again

Cons:

• More work upfront if choosing to renovate

• Older building stock can have maintenance or compliance issues that need addressing

• Requires better due diligence and planning

For investors who want to take action and positively influence their outcome, existing properties are usually where you can have the most control.

What does Wolfe Property focus on?

Wolfe Property focuses on existing properties with clear value-add potential.

Our coaching is built around finding homes where you can:

• improve the property — typically by adding a bedroom and modernising

• these renovation works significantly increases the value of the home

• increase the rent

• and aim for cashflow positive from day one

Rather than buying something new and hoping organic market growth eventually makes it a good investment, we focus on properties where you can create performance through smart, targeted improvements.

The biggest mistake most investors make is buying negatively geared properties and hoping the market will ‘fix it later’. This is how many end up topping up hundreds of dollars per week for years. A smarter approach is to only buy properties where you can create rental uplift - not wait for it.

Here are the most common mistakes we see:

1. Buying on emotion instead of numbers

Choosing a property because it ‘feels right’ rather than because the deal stacks up post-renovation.

2. Accepting negative cashflow

Many investors think it’s normal to top up a property for 7–10 years.

We believe an investment should put money in your pocket - not the other way round.

Property investments should be cashflow positive from day one after you add value and increase the rent.

3. Buying in your backyard even when the deals aren’t there

Most people only shop in the city they live in because they don’t have the networks to invest elsewhere - which means they miss higher-yield regions.

4. Not doing enough due diligence before going unconditional

The biggest unknowns show up after the offer is locked in.

We teach investors how to gather the right information early, run the numbers properly, and avoid surprises.

5. Not knowing which properties to say “no” to

The real skill isn’t spotting the “yes”.
It’s confidently identifying the red flags and saying “no” - layouts with no value-add potential, renovation costs that will never pay for themselves, or no rental demand for that type of home.

6. No clear strategy

Investing without a plan is like sailing with a compass. You’ll get somewhere - but likely not where you want.

Your goals, yield targets, renovation approach, and budget all need to be defined before you start shopping.