By Robert Carry

A new property investment calculator which can estimate the degree to which a house or unit will depreciate over a given time period has been developed by a property consulting and quantity surveying firm.

Washington Brown said its new investment tool also gives investors an accurate means of analysing the impact interest rates will have on the cash flow of an investment property.

"Our calculations are based on over 20 years worth of depreciation data and provide investors real insight into just how much their property will cost them if interest rates go up," said Tyron Hyde, Washing Brown director.

The group said that investment property owners will continue to enjoy positive cash returns on investment property despite yesterday's Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announcement to raise the official cash rate to 3.5%.

Hyde added that as interest rates rise, investors need to ensure they are maximising their tax depreciation allowances.