True Home Cost Calculator

Know the real monthly cost of a home, not just principal and interest

Mortgage calculators show you part of the number. The True Home Cost Calculator adds property taxes, insurance, PMI, HOA dues, utilities and a maintenance reserve.

It also totals the cash you need at closing, so the down payment is not the only surprise.

No card required. The full toolkit on your first home.

What it looks like

The same interface you use on your phone during a showing.

Monthly cost — 214 Oakwood Drive

$425,000 · 10% down · 30-year fixed

  • Principal & interest$2,410
  • Taxes & insurance$612
  • PMI + HOA$248
  • Utilities & maintenance reserve$465

Illustrative example using demo data.

How it works

  1. 1

    Enter the basics

    Price, down payment, rate and term for the home you saved.

  2. 2

    Add the real costs

    Taxes, insurance, HOA, utilities and a maintenance reserve.

  3. 3

    Compare against budget

    See the total monthly and the cash needed to close.

Why this matters when buying a home

  • Two homes at the same price can differ by hundreds a month once taxes and HOA are included.
  • Cash to close is what actually stops deals, and it is easy to underestimate.
  • A maintenance reserve is the difference between owning comfortably and being surprised.

True Home Cost Calculator — frequently asked questions

Is this a mortgage pre-approval?

No. It is an estimate to help you plan. Your lender's figures are the ones that count for an offer.

Where do I find the property tax number?

The listing or the county assessor record usually shows it. If it is missing, the tool keeps it as an unknown to verify.

Why include maintenance if nothing is broken?

Every home consumes money over time. Budgeting a reserve up front keeps a normal repair from becoming a crisis.

Start free with one home

Save a home, run it through True Home Cost Calculator and see what still needs verifying.