Buyer Tools
Do the math before you fall in love with the house.
Silicon Valley real estate moves fast, and the numbers can get confusing — fast. We built five free, interactive tools so you can run your own scenarios before you're sitting across the table at an offer deadline. No email gate, no sales pitch. Just the Property Nerd approach: data first, decisions second.
What's in the toolkit
Mortgage Calculator — Estimate your monthly principal, interest, property tax, and insurance for any price point, down payment, or rate.
Affordability Calculator — Work it from the other direction: tell us your income and debts, and we'll estimate the price range that fits comfortably under standard lending guidelines (the 28%/36% rule most lenders use).
Rent vs. Buy Calculator — The question every Silicon Valley renter asks eventually. This tool compares the real net cost of buying against renting and investing the difference, factoring in appreciation, selling costs, and how long you plan to stay.
Closing Cost Estimator — Buyers are often surprised by the cash they need beyond the down payment. Get a realistic Santa Clara County estimate for loan fees, title and escrow, inspections, and prepaid reserves.
Tech Commute Calculator — Our own invention. Silicon Valley buyers weigh commute to Apple, Google, Meta, NVIDIA, LinkedIn, and more as heavily as school districts. Pick a neighborhood and an employer to get a typical, non-peak drive-time range.
A Property Nerd caveat
Every number on this page is an estimate built on the inputs you provide and standard industry formulas — not a loan commitment, an appraisal, or legal or financial advice. Your actual rate, taxes, insurance, and closing costs will depend on your lender, your credit profile, and the specific property. Think of these tools as a very good starting point for a conversation, not a replacement for one.
Ready to run your actual numbers?
We'll pull the real comps, the real tax rate for the specific parcel, and the real HOA dues — and tell you honestly whether a property is worth chasing.