PropDecider is Australia's property decision engine — a web app that helps migrants and first-home buyers compare 7 property strategies (buy, invest, rent-vest, and more) using real stamp duty, LMI, and government eligibility rules for every Australian state.

Does PropDecider calculate stamp duty for all Australian states?

Yes. PropDecider calculates accurate stamp duty for all 8 Australian states and territories, including first-home buyer concessions, foreign buyer surcharges, and off-the-plan discounts where applicable.

Can migrants and visa holders use PropDecider?

Yes. PropDecider is specifically designed for migrants and first-home buyers in Australia. It supports permanent residents, temporary visa holders, and Australian citizens. It checks eligibility for the First Home Guarantee (FHLDS), state first-home owner grants, and foreign buyer surcharges. The app is available in English, Persian (Farsi), Simplified Chinese, Arabic, and Vietnamese.

What property strategies does PropDecider compare?

PropDecider compares 7 strategies: (1) Buy first home and stop renting, (2) Buy first home and keep renting in current location (live in investment property), (3) Rent-vest — invest in property while continuing to rent, (4) Buy investment property only, (5) Buy with family assistance or guarantor support, (6) Save a larger deposit and buy later, (7) Sell existing property to upgrade. Each scenario includes real financial calculations including deposit required, stamp duty, LMI, monthly repayments, and net cash flow.

What is the First Home Guarantee (FHLDS) and does PropDecider check my eligibility?

The First Home Guarantee (formerly FHLDS) is an Australian government scheme allowing eligible first-home buyers to purchase with as little as 5% deposit without paying Lenders Mortgage Insurance (LMI). PropDecider automatically checks your eligibility based on your visa status, income, and property price, and factors it into all relevant scenarios.

Is PropDecider licensed financial advice?

No. PropDecider is a decision-support tool that uses publicly available Australian government rules to produce indicative planning estimates. It is not licensed financial advice. Users should consult a licensed mortgage broker, financial adviser, and/or solicitor before making property decisions.

PropDecider offers a 15-day free trial from the date of account creation. After the trial period, a subscription is required to continue accessing the analysis and report features.

How many property calculators does PropDecider offer?

PropDecider offers 23 property calculators in total: 10 free tools including LVR, Mortgage Repayment, Cash Required, Stamp Duty, Borrowing Capacity, Buy vs Wait, Keep or Sell, Rentvesting, Offset Account, and Equity Release; plus 13 premium calculators including Negative Gearing, Rental Yield, Investment Cash Flow, SMSF Property, Subdivision Feasibility, Bridging Loan, Airbnb vs Long-Term Rental, Commercial Property Yield, Family Guarantee, Shared Equity, Renovation Fixer-Upper, Suburb Intelligence, and Property Strategy Score.

What is the APRA serviceability buffer and how does it affect my borrowing capacity?

The APRA serviceability buffer is a +3.0% interest rate margin that Australian lenders must add to the actual loan rate when assessing a borrower's ability to repay. For example, if the current rate is 6.5%, the bank stress-tests your repayments at 9.5%. PropDecider's Borrowing Capacity calculator automatically applies this buffer so your estimate reflects what a lender will actually approve.

What is rentvesting and how does PropDecider model it?

Rentvesting means renting where you want to live while owning an investment property in a more affordable location. PropDecider's Rentvesting calculator models net cash flow by applying an 80% rental income factor (20% shading discount) to reflect real-world vacancy, property management fees, and maintenance — consistent with how Australian banks assess rental income for serviceability. You can enter a separate investment property weekly rent to override the default rental income assumption.

What is negative gearing and does PropDecider have a negative gearing calculator?

Negative gearing occurs when your rental income is less than your property expenses (interest, rates, maintenance), creating a tax-deductible loss that reduces your overall taxable income. PropDecider offers a Negative Gearing Calculator (premium feature) that models the net tax benefit based on your marginal tax rate, rental income, interest costs, and deductible expenses.

Can PropDecider calculate my borrowing capacity with credit card debt?

Yes. PropDecider's Borrowing Capacity calculator includes a field for Total Credit Card Limits, which lenders assess at approximately 3.8% of the total limit as a monthly repayment liability regardless of actual usage. This is factored into your net borrowing capacity alongside existing loan repayments and living expenses.

What languages does PropDecider support?

PropDecider is fully available in 5 languages: English, Persian (Farsi/Dari), Simplified Chinese (Mandarin), Arabic, and Vietnamese. All calculators, strategy guides, and the property glossary are translated into each language. Right-to-left (RTL) layout is supported for Persian and Arabic.

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