New Homeowners Hub
Everything that comes after you say yes to the house.
Buying a home means a flood of new numbers to track — mortgage payments, closing costs, property taxes, moving expenses, and renovation budgets. We rounded up everything you need in one place, so you can stop Googling and start planning.
Built for this moment
Calculators we built specifically for new homeowners.
Home Affordability Calculator
NewInput income, debts, and down payment — get an affordable price range.
Find out what the bank will say before you ask.
Closing Costs Calculator
NewEstimate legal fees, inspection, title insurance, and land transfer tax.
The hidden costs, unhidden.
Property Tax Estimator
NewEstimate annual property tax from home value and local rate.
The bill that arrives every year, whether ready or not.
Moving Cost Estimator
NewEstimate moving costs by distance, home size, and DIY vs. professional.
Spoiler: it's always more than you expect.
Renovation Budget Calculator
NewEstimate renovation costs by room type and scope.
Budget high. It will still be higher.
Also essential
Calculators from our other categories that every homeowner needs.
Mortgage Calculator
Monthly payment, total interest, full amortization table.
The first number every homeowner needs to know.
Loan Calculator
Personal and auto loan monthly payment breakdown.
For the car, the HVAC, or the emergency reno fund.
Compound Interest
See how a bigger down payment saves you over time.
Every extra dollar down saves you multiples in interest.
Things no one explains until it's too late
What's actually in a closing cost?
Closing costs are the fees due on or before your closing date — separate from your down payment. They typically include land transfer tax (varies heavily by province/state), legal or notary fees to handle the title transfer, title insurance, home inspection, and miscellaneous admin costs. In Canada, budget 1.5–4% of the purchase price. In the US, 2–5%. First-time buyers sometimes qualify for land transfer tax rebates — worth looking into before you close.
Property tax: what actually determines your rate?
Your annual property tax is calculated by multiplying your home's assessed value by the local mill rate — a figure set by your municipality based on how much money they need to run the city. The assessed value is often lower than market value (many municipalities assess at 70–100%). Rates vary dramatically by location: a $500,000 home in Vancouver might owe ~$1,350/year while the same home in some New Jersey suburbs would owe $12,450/year. Always check your municipality's tax calculator for current rates.
The GDS ratio: why lenders care so much about it.
GDS stands for Gross Debt Service ratio — the percentage of your gross income that goes toward housing costs (mortgage, property tax, heat, condo fees). Most lenders cap this at 32%, with a TDS (Total Debt Service) cap of 44% including all other debts. If you're at the edge of these ratios, a larger down payment or a longer amortization can bring your monthly payment down. Stress-testing (qualifying at a rate 2% higher than your actual rate) is mandatory in Canada and prudent everywhere else.
⚠️ A word of caution
All calculators on this page produce estimates only. Actual mortgage payments, closing costs, property taxes, and renovation costs vary significantly based on your location, lender, contractor, and individual circumstances. Please consult a licensed real estate agent, mortgage broker, real estate lawyer, and/or financial advisor before making major financial decisions.