Housing & real estate
Rent or buy, refinance, and evaluate rental and flip deals with the numbers lenders use.
Housing decisions combine large numbers with long time horizons, so small assumptions compound. Compare renting and buying, test whether a refinance pays back its closing costs, and run rental or flip deals with the same metrics lenders and appraisers use.
Calculators
RentBuy Desk
Rent or buy? See the year it flips.The rent-versus-buy question is full of hidden costs on both sides: maintenance, taxes, opportunity cost. We put them in one model so you can see the break-even year for your own situation.
RefiPoint
Is refinancing worth it? Find the break-even month.A lower rate does not always mean savings once closing costs are counted. This tool finds the month when a refinance pays for itself, so you can decide whether you will stay long enough to benefit.
RentalROI Desk
Cash flow, cap rate and DSCR for rental deals.A rental can look profitable on rent alone. Counting vacancy, repairs, management and financing shows the cash flow and return that remain, which is the number that matters for a decision.
FlipDeal Desk
House flip profit and the 70% rule.House flips fail when small costs are left out: holding costs, financing points, a few extra weeks. This tool adds every line so you can test the maximum price you should offer before you fall in love with a property.
Related guides
Costs People Forget When Comparing Renting and Buying
RentBuy DeskProperty tax, maintenance, closing costs and the opportunity cost of a down payment change the rent-versus-buy answer.
Hidden Costs That Eat Your House Flip Profit
FlipDeal DeskHolding costs, closing costs and repair overruns turn a good-looking flip into a break-even one. A checklist.
Rental Property Expenses Checklist: What Eats Your Cash Flow
RentalROI DeskVacancy, repairs, taxes and management are easy to underestimate. A checklist for realistic rental cash flow.
When Does Refinancing Pay Off? Count the Closing Costs
RefiPointA lower rate is not enough. Closing costs, time in the home and loan term decide whether a refinance saves money.
Why Time Horizon Decides Rent vs Buy
RentBuy DeskBuying has big upfront and exit costs, so how long you stay often matters more than the mortgage rate. Here is how to think about the break-even.
Cap Rate vs Cash-on-Cash Return: Which One to Trust
RentalROI DeskCap rate ignores your loan; cash-on-cash includes it. How to read both on a $320,000 rental.
The 70% Rule for House Flipping, With a Real Example
FlipDeal DeskA $350,000 ARV and $45,000 rehab means a max offer of $200,000. Paying $215,000 still nets about $33,650, but eats the safety margin.
The Real Monthly Cost of Owning: Beyond the Mortgage Payment
RentBuy DeskOn a $400,000 home, a $2,023 mortgage payment becomes about $2,723 a month once tax and upkeep are included.
When Does Buying Beat Renting? The Break-Even Year in Five Scenarios
RentBuy DeskA $400,000 home against $2,200 rent: how mortgage rate, rent and appreciation move the year buying pulls ahead.