Guides

Short explainers that link straight into the calculators.

The real cost of a mortgage payment

The principal and interest figure on a listing is only the start. Property tax, homeowners insurance, HOA dues and private mortgage insurance all land in the same monthly bill, and together they often add 25 to 40% on top of the loan payment.

Run your numbers through the full payment calculator, then check how much room your income gives you with the affordability calculator. If you are putting less than 20% down, look at how long PMI will last before deciding whether a bigger down payment is worth waiting for.

Mortgage calculator Affordability calculator

Refinance or pay extra? Start with the break-even

A lower rate is not a win until you recover the closing costs. Divide the costs by your monthly savings to find the break-even month, and compare that with how long you expect to keep the loan.

If a refinance does not clear the bar, paying extra principal is the simpler lever. Even a modest monthly amount shortens the term and cuts interest, with no fees.

Refinance break-even Extra payment calculator

Debt avalanche vs snowball

Avalanche pays the highest interest rate first and always costs the least. Snowball pays the smallest balance first and gives faster early wins. The best plan is the one you finish.

Compare both with your real balances. If the interest difference is small, pick the method that keeps you motivated.

Debt payoff planner Budget planner

Screening a rental in five minutes

Cap rate shows what the property earns before financing, and cash-on-cash shows what your cash earns after it. Use both, with honest vacancy and reserve assumptions.

For lender-side checks, DSCR compares rent with the full housing payment. Many lenders look for 1.25x or higher.

Cash-on-cash and cap rate DSCR calculator