Been debating with a friend on whether property is a good investment for ages!The problem with this debate is both of us just throw out qualitative statements about the good and bad of it. I gave up. Took out a spreadsheet and did a property calculator. Let this spreadsheet be the end of such meaningless debate. I have inputted the new rules implemented this January 2011. The following parameters are what have been placed into the model. I would like to add that this model serves as the best case scenario for residential private property investment. Therefore, one would very likely get less than the returns stated. Parameters based on government rules - 40% downpayment is needed. This is because we are looking at property as an investment and very likely this investor has an outstanding home loan already. - Seller stamp duty (SSD) of 16%, 12%, 8%,4% in the ......