Investment Property Cash Flow Calculator
Estimate what it will cost to buy and hold an investment property before you make an offer.
Jump to the calculatorWhat will it cost to buy and hold?
Buying an investment property is about more than just getting a loan and throwing a dart at the board. You also need to budget for your deposit, stamp duty, lender costs and the ongoing weekly cost of owning the property.
This calculator estimates your upfront buying costs and your expected weekly cash flow after rent, helping you understand whether a property fits your budget before you commit.
How to read your result: the upfront figure is the cash you need on the day (deposit, stamp duty for your state, LMI if your deposit is under 20%, and lender and legal costs). The weekly figure is what the property costs you to hold after the rent comes in. A negative weekly number is common for a first investment in a capital city; the question is whether that shortfall fits your budget with a buffer for rate rises and vacancies.
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Frequently asked questions
What is weekly cash flow?
Your weekly cash flow is the difference between the rent you receive and the weekly cost of owning the property, including loan repayments and ongoing expenses. A positive cash flow means the rent covers those costs with money to spare; a negative cash flow means you contribute the difference each week.
Does it include stamp duty?
Yes. The calculator estimates investor stamp duty based on the state or territory you select. First home buyer concessions are not included because they generally don't apply to investment properties.
Does it include tax benefits?
No. This calculator focuses on the upfront costs of buying and the ongoing cash flow from owning an investment property. Tax outcomes such as negative gearing and depreciation aren't included because they depend on your personal circumstances.
Are the figures exact?
No. This calculator provides indicative estimates only. Actual borrowing capacity, stamp duty, LMI, interest rates and lender policies vary. We'll confirm the exact figures before you proceed with a purchase.
How do you calculate cash flow on an investment property?
Take the rent you expect to receive, then subtract everything it costs to hold the property: loan repayments, property management fees, council and water rates, insurance, strata if it applies, and an allowance for maintenance and vacancy. The result, worked out per week, is your cash flow. This calculator does that arithmetic from your inputs and shows the weekly figure before tax.
What is a good cash flow for an investment property?
There is no single right number. Positive cash flow means the rent covers the holding costs with money left over. Many first investment properties in capital cities are negatively geared, meaning the owner contributes a shortfall each week in exchange for expected capital growth. What matters is whether that weekly contribution fits comfortably in your budget, with a buffer for higher interest rates and a few weeks of vacancy a year.
Is this an investment property affordability calculator?
In practice, yes. It shows the two numbers that decide affordability for a first investment: the cash you need upfront and the weekly cost of holding the property after rent. Pair it with the borrowing capacity calculator to check the loan size a lender is likely to approve, and you have the full picture before you make an offer.
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Talk it through with Scott
These figures are a guide, not a guarantee, and they're not legal, financial, tax or credit advice. Book a free discovery call and get real numbers for your situation.