Numbers make the home-buying decision real. Our calculators are free, give you an answer instantly, and never ask for your email to see the result — because a tool that holds your answer hostage isn’t a tool, it’s a lead form in disguise. Use these to sanity-check what you can afford before you ever talk to a lender.
Calculators we’re building for you
- Affordability calculator — turn your income, debts, and down payment into a realistic maximum home price.
- Monthly payment calculator — see principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI) for any price and rate.
- Down payment savings calculator — how long until you hit your goal, and how much a little more per month changes the timeline.
- USDA & FHA payment estimators — including the mortgage insurance and guarantee fees those loans carry.
- Rent vs. buy calculator — the honest break-even math on whether buying beats renting for your situation.
- Closing cost estimator — a realistic range for the fees due at the finish line.
We’re rolling these interactive tools out now. In the meantime, our guides walk through the same math by hand so you understand why the numbers land where they do:
- Compare loan programs and their real monthly costs
- See how down payment assistance changes your upfront cost
- The complete first-time buyer guide
A quick reality check on any home: a good rule of thumb is that your total monthly housing payment shouldn’t exceed about 28% of your gross monthly income. If a house pushes well past that, it’s worth pausing — even if a lender approves you for more.