Property Compass
by Sextant Digital
Property Compass
Property Explorer
Explore what you can afford and how a property investment could perform.
Navigate your next property move
Purchase Details
Start with the upfront purchase numbers.
⟳ These inputs sync live to Property A in Compare Properties
$23,675
Buying costs
Total buying costs
$3,100
Loan Details
Set the core loan settings for the deal.
Loan amount (auto)
$546,775
Income & Costs
Add rent and the ongoing holding costs.
$137
How to analyse an investment property
What stamp duty costs and why it matters
Stamp duty (transfer duty in Queensland) is a state government tax paid when you buy property. It's calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and adds $10,000–$30,000+ to your upfront costs depending on the price and state. Because it increases your total cost base, it reduces your effective yield and affects your borrowing position. This calculator estimates stamp duty using Queensland rates.
Gross yield vs net yield
Gross yield is your annual rent divided by the purchase price — a useful starting point. Net yield goes further by deducting all your ongoing holding costs: management fees, insurance, council rates, maintenance, and vacancy allowance. Net yield is a far more realistic measure of what a property actually earns and the number to focus on when deciding whether an investment stacks up.
Negative gearing explained
A property is negatively geared when your costs — including mortgage repayments — exceed your rental income. In Australia, this shortfall is generally tax-deductible, which reduces the real after-tax cost. Most investment properties in capital cities are negatively geared, with investors accepting the cashflow deficit in exchange for expected long-term capital growth. Positive gearing means rental income exceeds all your costs.