What data is the calculator using?

The calculator uses the Median Sale Price of the region or area you've chosen. This comes from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ).It then tracks the change in the median sales price of properties in your area.This is to give an approximation of the amount of wealth you mgiht have made over that period.

Is this the exact amount of wealth I would have made?

No. The median sale price is useful because the data goes back many years. But, it doesn't tell you exactly how much wealth you would have made (even if you bought the median-priced house). This is because the median sale price is made up of different properties each month. Because the exact same properties don't sell in January and then again in February. So use this as an approximation of the amount of wealth you could have made, rather than an absolute.

What other limitations does the calculator have?

The lines on the graph are shown on an annual basis. The value of your property would go up and down much more if we showed the median price on a monthly basis. However, we chose to show this on an annual basis, as the graphs are based on your birthday.But, keep in mind, that in practice, property values do go up and down. So your property-owning journey can be more bumpy.And past performance isn't a guarantee of future performance.

Does buying earlier always make more money?

No. There are definitely some periods where waiting to buy a property would have made you more money. Afterall, property values and rents can go up and down.The purpose of the calculator is to show a general principle. That the longer you are in a market, the more money you tend to make.

Why is the calculator showing me buying a property at 10 years old?

The calculator shows what might have happened if you bought a property at previous ages. If you are currently 30 years old, it will show you what would have happened if you had bought the median-priced property at age 10. In practice, you likely couldn't have done so, because the minimum age to buy a property is 18.The purpose of the calculator isn't to show you what you could have done. It's to show you what may have happened if you had invested at that time.It doesn't take into account any of your personal circumstances, or whether buying at that time was possible or suitable.

Cost of Waiting Calculator

Figure out how much wealth you could have built if you invested earlier. Enter your birth month and year, then the graph shows you how much you might have made if you invested earlier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ok, now for the legal bit:

This calculator is for general information only. It’s not financial advice. See here for details about our Financial Advice Provider Disclosure. So Opes isn’t telling you what to do with your own money.

We’ve made every effort to make sure the calculator and its assumptions are reasonable and accurate. But calculators rely on estimates and inputs you provide, and the results won’t be right for everyone. Make sure you do your own research or talk to a financial adviser before making any investment decisions.

You might like to use us or another financial adviser.

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