Tools in This Collection
Rent vs. Buy Calculator
Compare total 5, 10, and 20-year costs of renting vs buying including opportunity cost and appreciation
Real Estate Commission Calculator
Calculate agent commission splits, broker fees, and net proceeds by listing vs buyer's agent
Cost Per Square Foot Calculator
Calculate cost per square foot for real estate, flooring, painting, or any area-based project
Average Home Price by Metro 2025
Compare 2025 median home prices across 50+ US metropolitan areas for market context
ADU Cost Calculator
Estimate ADU construction costs and projected rental income for detached, attached, and garage units
Commercial Lease Calculator
Calculate commercial lease costs for NNN, gross, and modified gross structures with occupancy comparison
Guides & Articles
Home Buying and Selling Workflow
Buying or selling a home involves decisions that depend on accurate cost modeling — from calculating whether buying outweighs renting over your expected horizon to understanding what you'll net after commissions. These tools support the full transaction decision process.
The Rent vs Buy Decision
Buying is not always better than renting. The break-even analysis depends on purchase price, rental alternative, down payment opportunity cost, assumed appreciation, and how long you'll stay. Markets with price-to-rent ratios above 20x (median home price / annual rent) — common in coastal US cities — often favor renting over 5-7 year horizons. The Rent vs. Buy Calculator models your specific numbers across multiple time horizons, including the often-missed opportunity cost of tying up a down payment in equity rather than investing it.
Understanding Transaction Costs
Buying and selling a home involves significant transaction costs beyond the mortgage. Buyers pay 2-5% in closing costs. Sellers traditionally paid 5-6% in total commissions (split between listing and buyer's agents), though the 2024 NAR settlement changed how buyer's agent compensation is handled. The Real Estate Commission Calculator shows net proceeds after current commission structures and helps model different scenarios for listing agent vs buyer's agent fee negotiations.
Market Context and Benchmarking
Whether a listing price is reasonable depends on local market conditions. The Average Home Price by Metro tool provides 2025 median prices for 50+ US metro areas to benchmark individual properties. The Cost Per Square Foot Calculator normalizes by property size for more accurate comparisons — a $400K home in a market where comparable homes sell for $150/sq ft is priced very differently from a $400K home at $300/sq ft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to rent or buy right now?
It depends on your specific numbers: local price-to-rent ratio, how long you'll stay, your down payment opportunity cost, and appreciation expectations. At high price-to-rent ratios (above 20x), buying is often more expensive than renting over 5-7 years when you factor in opportunity cost on the down payment. Run the Rent vs Buy Calculator with your specific numbers — the break-even year varies dramatically by market.
How much does a real estate agent cost?
Seller costs: listing agent typically charges 2.5-3% of sale price. Buyer's agent compensation (historically paid by seller from the listing commission) is now separately negotiated following the 2024 NAR settlement. Buyers may be asked to pay their agent directly. On a $400K sale with 5% total commission, that's $20,000 in commissions. The Real Estate Commission Calculator shows the full breakdown.
What is a price-to-rent ratio and what does it mean?
The price-to-rent ratio compares the median home sale price to the annual rental cost for a comparable home. A ratio of 15x means buying and renting are roughly equivalent over a medium term. Above 20x, renting often compares favorably over 5-10 year periods because ownership costs (mortgage interest, property tax, maintenance) exceed equivalent rent. Below 15x, buying typically wins over similar horizons.
What is an ADU and should I build one?
An ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is a secondary housing unit on the same lot as a primary residence — detached cottage, garage conversion, or basement apartment. ADU construction costs typically run $100,000-$300,000+ depending on type and location. Monthly rental income of $1,000-$2,500 in most markets creates reasonable payback periods. The ADU Cost Calculator estimates construction cost and projected rental income for your region.
What is the difference between NNN and gross commercial leases?
A gross (full-service) lease means tenant pays one all-inclusive rent; landlord covers property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. An NNN (triple net) lease means tenant pays base rent plus property taxes, insurance, and maintenance separately. NNN base rents appear lower but total occupancy cost is often similar or higher. The Commercial Lease Calculator converts between lease types for accurate comparison.