This calculator helps you work out how long it will take before you have the equity and borrowing capacity to purchase your next investment property. Enter your current properties, income, household expenses, and investment goal and we'll forecast your timeline based on capital growth, mortgage amortisation, and serviceability.
Use our tools to become a property investment expert.
Learn More About Property Investment
Thrive's property investment calculators give investors the knowledge they need to make informed decisions. Whether you're assessing equity, serviceability, or long-term growth projections, these tools help you plan your next move, backed by real NZ lending logic and Thrive's investment expertise. They're designed to cut through guesswork and give you a clear picture of where you stand and when you'll be ready to act.
Want To See How Much You Can Invest?
Now that you know your investor profile, the next step is understanding your budget. Click on the button below to see what your buying power is based on your income and equtiy.
The calculator runs two tests across a 15-year forecast. First, an equity test - it projects your property values using capital growth, calculates useable equity, and checks whether equity plus cash covers a 20% deposit. Second, a serviceability test - it checks whether your projected borrowing capacity covers the loan required. The first year both tests pass is your ready year.
Most NZ lenders allow you to access up to 80% of your home's value as a borrowing base. For investment properties, lenders apply a more conservative LVR, reflecting the additional risk associated with investment lending. The calculator applies the correct LVR to each property type automatically.
Cash savings reduce the loan you need to borrow. If your target is $750,000 and you have $100,000 saved, the loan required drops to $650,000 - which is easier to service and brings your ready year forward. Cash also counts toward your 20% deposit alongside useable equity.
When you apply for a mortgage, the bank considers the rental income the new property will generate as part of your income. This improves serviceability - a property generating $600 per week contributes meaningfully to your ability to service the loan. The calculator includes this from the start, reflecting how a bank would assess your application.
No. This is an indicative planning tool. Capital growth, interest rates, and income changes will all affect the actual timeline. Banks also apply stress test rates above actual mortgage rates, which may reduce your real borrowing capacity. Use this as a guide and confirm your position with a Thrive adviser before making any investment decisions.
At Thrive we take a strategic approach to evidence-based property investment. With a view to helping you build wealth using our expert knowledge and market research to structure your portfolio in a way that gives you a superior outcome than merely buying and holding a few houses.
