What It Really Costs
What will this home cost you every month, all in?
Four in ten first-time buyers say they underestimated the cost of owning. Put in one home you're looking at and see the whole number before you offer.
The home
Common in newer California neighborhoods. It's on the listing's tax bill.
Get a real quote first. Some California areas only qualify for the FAIR Plan plus a second policy.
Sets the repair budget below.
The loan
Freddie Mac's weekly average was 7.24% on Oct 29, 2026. Your lender's quote will differ.
Lender, escrow, title and prepaid items. Sellers sometimes credit part of it.
Principal + interest—
Mortgage insurance—
Property tax (estimate)—
Insurance—
HOA and assessments—
Repairs to set aside—
Want me to check it on a real listing?
Send me the address. I'll pull the actual tax bill, any HOA or Mello-Roos, what similar homes sold for, and whether the insurance looks normal for that street, and email it back.
Estimates only, not a loan offer. Property tax uses about 1.15% of price in California and 0.6% in Arizona. Mortgage insurance: conventional uses about 0.6% a year under 20% down (removable later); FHA uses its 0.55% annual premium plus a 1.75% upfront premium added to the loan; VA uses the funding fee (2.15% under 5% down on first use, 1.5% at 5%, 1.25% at 10%) added to the loan, waived for many veterans with a service-connected disability. Repairs use 1% to 2% of price a year. Stephen Resendes, REALTOR® · The Amaral Concept · Principal Realty Inc. · CA DRE #01895670