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RealCostIQ
307 calculators · 3 countries · no sign-up

Know the real cost before you commit.

Mortgages, remodels and the upkeep nobody quotes — priced with local wage data and current rates, with no advertiser spin and no sign-up.

Most used
MortgageAffordabilityRefinanceClosing costsRent vs buyRoof replacement
Est. monthly payment · US
LIVE
$4,173
P&I $3,323 · Tax $550 · Ins $300
Open the full mortgage calculator

Rate seeded at 7.40% — Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year average, week of October 8, 2026. Tax 1.1% and insurance 0.6% of price per year are national placeholders and vary most by address.

Visits to RealCostIQ since June 2026
34,500+
Always free · no paywall, no catch
$0
Sign-ups · email never required
0
Metros priced off BLS wage data
100
Labor & materials indexes refreshed
Quarterly
Browse by category

From first payment to full remodel.

44 calculatorsMortgagePayments, affordability, refinancing, PMI, FHA & VA loans.17 calculatorsInvestmentCap rate, cash-on-cash, DSCR, BRRRR and rental property ROI.22 calculatorsRoofingReplacement costs, repair estimates, materials & labor breakdowns.23 calculatorsHVACHeating, cooling, installation and energy-efficiency estimates.13 calculatorsFlooringHardwood, laminate, tile, carpet — cost per sq ft by material.9 calculatorsKitchenRemodel budgets, cabinets, countertops, appliances and more.7 calculatorsSolarInstallation cost, savings, system size and 2026 post-credit payback.100 metrosLocal CostsRoofing, HVAC, kitchen and flooring priced for your metro area.44 calculatorsMaintenanceAnnual budgets, repair costs, seasonal prep and inspections.
All 307 calculators
From the blog

Long-form explainers, every figure sourced.

MortgagesUSAre Mortgage Points Worth It If You Might Refinance? The Break-Even That Accounts for Leaving EarlyA mortgage point only pays if you keep the loan past its break-even month. This post shows the net result for each year you might keep a $400,000 loan, what a refinance does to the points you paid, and when a lender credit is the better trade.Home BuyingUSFoundation Crack Found at Inspection: Walk Away or Negotiate? Engineer Fees and Repair CostsA foundation crack in the inspection report does not mean the deal is dead. Hire an independent engineer before your deadline, learn whether the crack is moving, then price the repair and decide.MortgagesUSHouse Hacking With FHA: Why Duplexes Pass and Fourplexes Fail the Self-Sufficiency TestHUD's handbook sets one test that only 3- and 4-unit FHA buyers face: 75 percent of the appraiser's market rent, counting your own unit, must cover the whole payment. This post works a $600,000 fourplex through it and shows what passes.Home BuyingUSWhy Rentals Don't Cash-Flow at 7%: The Break-Even Rent and When Negative Cash Flow Can Still Make SenseOn a $300,000 rental, moving the loan rate from 5.5% to 7.5% adds about $295 a month to the payment and about $370 to the rent you need. Here is the break-even rent line, and when a loss can still be worth it.Home BuyingUSSewer Scope Found a Problem? Repair vs Replacement Cost and How to Negotiate Before ClosingThe camera found roots, a sag or a crack. Here is what each finding means, when a spot repair is enough, what a full replacement can cost, and how to turn a contractor quote into a credit.Property Taxes & FeesUSWhy Your Property Taxes Go Up After You Buy: Reassessment, Lost Exemptions and the Supplemental BillThe seller's tax bill is a poor guide to yours. In some states the sale resets the assessed value, in some a cap starts over, and in California a second bill arrives months after closing.
Read the blog
Can I DIY this?

Honest verdicts, tied to real cost data.

DIY-friendlyPainting a RoomNo permit, no licensed trade — the most beginner-friendly project there is.ConditionalBuilding a DeckGround-level is DIY-friendly; elevated decks need real structural care.ConditionalFaucet & Toilet SwapStraightforward — as long as your shutoff valves cooperate.DIY-friendlyInstalling a FenceMostly digging and setting posts — a manageable weekend project.DIY-friendlyAttic InsulationBatt or blown-in — no permit or license required.ConditionalCeiling Fan InstallEasy with existing wiring; new wiring is a bigger job.
All DIY guides
Why RealCostIQ

Always free, built for homeowners.

Every calculator is free to use — the tool we wished existed before our own purchase.

01
Always free
No paywall, no sign-up, no catch.
02
Runs in your browser
Your figures are calculated on your device.
03
Email never required
No bait-and-switch quotes, no sales calls.
04
Updated quarterly
Labor & materials price indexes.

Questions

Is RealCostIQ really free?

Yes — all 307 calculators and guides are free to use, with no sign-up. Results are never gated behind an email address or a lead form.

How accurate are the estimates?

Cost data is reviewed quarterly using labor and materials price indexes, and mortgage rates are seeded from the Freddie Mac weekly survey. Results are planning estimates and will vary by location, so always confirm with a licensed professional.

Do you store my data?

Every calculation runs entirely in your browser, and the figures you type are never sent to us. We do record anonymous statistics — which calculator ran and the broad range each input and result fell into, such as “$350k–$500k” — with no identifier that lasts beyond the day. If you choose to email yourself a report, we use that address only to send it.

Which countries are supported?

The United States, Canada and India are live today, with local rates, rules and currency. Singapore and Australia are in development.

Do I need to create an account?

Never. There are no accounts and no “get a quote” bait-and-switch — just your numbers, instantly.