The full PITI picture — principal, interest, taxes, insurance — plus HOA. The listing price never tells you this.
per month, everything included
Uses the classic 28/36 rule lenders start from: housing under 28% of gross income, all debts under 36%.
Estimated max home price
Assumes ~22% of your housing budget goes to taxes and insurance. A pre-approval will sharpen this into a real number.
The check you write at the table beyond your down payment — typically 2–5% of the price. Here's the honest range, itemized.
estimated total closing costs
Your Loan Estimate (delivered within 3 business days of applying) replaces this with exact figures. Some fees are shoppable — ask which.
A simplified head-to-head over your time horizon: total cost of renting vs. owning, counting the equity you'd build.
Ownership outlay includes payments, ~1.6%/yr taxes-insurance-upkeep, and ~8% buy/sell transaction costs. Simplified on purpose — the trend matters more than the decimals.
A seller or builder credit pre-pays part of your interest, lowering the payment for the first years. See each year's payment and what the subsidy really costs.
Temporary buydowns are usually funded by seller or builder credits, not your cash. Compare against a permanent rate buy-down and a price reduction before choosing — your lender can price all three.
What does "we'll wait a year" actually cost if prices keep drifting up and rent keeps going out the door?
Waiting is sometimes right — to save more, fix credit, or steady a job. This tool just makes the trade visible instead of invisible. Appreciation isn't guaranteed.
The actual check: down payment plus closing costs, minus what you've already put in and any credits.
estimated cash to close
Your Closing Disclosure will state this to the penny. Funds usually must be wired or a cashier's check — verify wire instructions by phone, always.
The classic first-timer fork in the road, compared at the same price: FHA's easier entry vs. conventional's cancellable PMI.
The long-game difference: conventional PMI cancels at ~20% equity, while FHA's MIP usually lasts the life of the loan when you put under 10% down — many FHA buyers later refinance out of it. Rates and MI factors vary; have a lender price both for you.