Start by weighing renting against buying, carry your numbers straight into the payment calculator, then see how the loan pays off year by year.
Rent disappears the moment you pay it. A mortgage payment mostly does too, at first — but part of it comes back to you as equity. This compares the two honestly, without assuming your home magically appreciates.
"Net cost of owning" subtracts equity built (your down payment plus principal paid down) from total money spent — it does not assume any home price appreciation, since that's never guaranteed.
See your principal and interest, how much of the loan goes to interest over its life, and the full payoff schedule.
See homes for sale across the Central Valley on our partner site.
View listings →| Year | Principal paid | Interest paid | Remaining balance |
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This estimate covers principal and interest only. Your actual monthly payment will likely also include property taxes, homeowners insurance, and — if you put down less than 20% on a conventional loan, or take certain FHA/USDA loans — mortgage insurance (PMI or MIP). A loan officer can give you a full, accurate estimate once we know your specific loan program.
Use a home price near what you've seen listed in your target area — the number matters more than getting it exact.
See how 3%, 10%, and 20% down change your monthly payment — most first-time buyers put down far less than 20%.
Open the payment schedule in step 2 to see how much of each payment goes to interest early on versus later in the loan.
