Be on the watch out for negative gearing: whereby your expenses exceed your rental income, this is usually evident during the early years of ownership. Negative gearing in New Zealand has a tax advantage where you offset the loss against income tax.
Think Capital gain: in as much as the cash flow from rental income keeps you afloat, the main aim to get into property investment is to build a sustainable asset base; to successfully create the wealth that you desire.
Location matters: property located near schools, hospitals, etc. have high demand and always attracts handsome rental income. Security is also a key factor to consider when choosing a location.
Put your emotions in check: when you get emotionally attached to the property, you tend to spend so much money on it that it becomes almost impossible to make a sound profit. Emotions clouds judgment and interferes with your bargaining power