The 0–30 Property Playbook: Frameworks For Safe and Bold Decisions In Uncertain Times

Our annual open night brings you Matthew Harris – investor, developer, property tax specialist and managing director of Lighthouse Financial- to unpack the real decision frameworks behind growing (and protecting) a property portfolio in today’s market so you can keep moving forward confidently, even when the rules keep changing.

Who is this for?

This evening is for active and aspiring investors who can feel the ground shifting under their feet and want practical numbers-driven ways to keep buying safely and smartly. Whether you are on your first property or already deep in your portfolio, you will leave with clearer rules of thumb, better stress-tests and the confidence to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to deals faster.

What we will cover

Chapter1: From 0-5 property – getting the early calls right 

• The early critical deals that set Matthew up for success, what worked, what nearly derailed everything and what he wishes he had known at the time;
• The 2-3 non-negotiables he now applies before buying any investing property;
• How to avoid the classic rookie raps: chasing yield at all costs, under-estimating capex, ignoring tax strategy and being lulled into a false sense of security.

Chapter 2: Scaling in an age of uncertainty 

• Real deals from Matthew’s portfolio wnat what they taught him about weighing risk against opportunity;
• How he now stress-tests a portfolio when interest rates, rents and policy settings can all move in different directions so you can spot weak points before they hurt you;
• Practical ways to think about DTIs, LVRs, insurance and rates in 2026 so you can keep growing without over-extending.

Chapter 3: Today’s investor – plan with intention, don’t guess 

• The framework for strategy conversations including clarifying goals, mapping the gaps and pressure-testing deals before you commit;
• The most common decision-making mistakes Matthew sees everyday investors make in the current environment and the simple ways to fix them;
• How to build your own investment playbook so you can make calls with confidence.

Throughout the session, we will keep circling back to the questions investors are actually asking in 2026: can I still buy safely, what happens if the rules change again, and how do I balance long‑term opportunity against very real short‑term cashflow pressure.

Matthew Harris

Matthew is a seasoned businessman, property investor and developer who built a 30‑property portfolio in around 10 years and now has further projects under development. After nine years as a specialist IRD auditor, he launched Lighthouse Financial, a full‑service advisory firm that now supports thousands of investors and business owners with tax, funding, mortgage and wealth advice.

Matthew has bought through mortgagee sales, post-earthquake uncertainty and multiple policy and interest rate cycles, and has since moved into housing development and high-level strategy work with investors nationwide. Matthew is known for being candid, practical and firmly anchored in the numbers making him exactly the voice investors need to hear in 2026.

Register now

Seats are limited and we expect strong interest from investors keen to pressure‑test their 2026 strategy. Register now to secure your spot.