Independent mortgage broker · Licensed in California Derek Shao · NMLS 242117 · DRE 01358261 310-869-5678

Calculators

Four numbers worth knowing before you call anyone

Most mortgage calculators show you principal and interest and stop there. These don't. Change any figure and everything updates instantly.

Calculator 01

Monthly payment

Principal, interest, property taxes, insurance, HOA and mortgage insurance — the number that actually leaves your account each month.

Estimated monthly payment

PITI + MI
$
%
%

Most of Los Angeles County runs 1.1–1.3% including local assessments.

$
$
Estimated total monthly$0
Principal & interest
$0
Property taxes
$0
Homeowner's insurance
$0
Mortgage insurance
HOA dues
$0
Loan amount
$0
Cash down
$0

Estimate only. These tools are for planning and education. They are not a quote, a rate lock, a pre-approval, or a commitment to lend, and they don't account for every cost in a real transaction. Your actual terms come from a lender's Loan Estimate after a full application.

Why the payment isn't the whole story

Where your money actually goes

Two loans can have the same monthly payment and cost wildly different amounts. This is a real 30-year amortization — the orange is interest, the green is principal.

$750,000 at 6.25%

30-yr fixed

Interest Principal

Calculator 02

What can I actually afford?

Works backwards from your income and existing debts to a realistic purchase price. Lenders think in debt-to-income ratio, so this does too.

Estimated purchase power

Debt-to-income based
$
$

Car loans, student loans, minimum credit card payments, child support. Not utilities or groceries.

$

43% is a common ceiling. Some programs stretch to 50% with strong credit and reserves.

%
%
$
Estimated price range$0
Monthly housing budget
$0
Principal & interest
$0
Property taxes
$0
Insurance
$0
Loan amount
$0

Estimate only. These tools are for planning and education. They are not a quote, a rate lock, a pre-approval, or a commitment to lend, and they don't account for every cost in a real transaction. Your actual terms come from a lender's Loan Estimate after a full application.

Calculator 03

Should I refinance?

The only question that matters is how long it takes the monthly savings to pay back the closing costs — and whether you'll still own the loan by then.

Refinance break-even

Rate & term
$
%
%
$

Lender, title and escrow fees. A lender-credit structure can reduce this to near zero in exchange for a slightly higher rate.

Monthly savings$0
Current payment (P&I)
$0
New payment (P&I)
$0
Closing costs
$0
Break-even

Estimate only. These tools are for planning and education. They are not a quote, a rate lock, a pre-approval, or a commitment to lend, and they don't account for every cost in a real transaction. Your actual terms come from a lender's Loan Estimate after a full application.

Calculator 04

What does an extra payment do?

This is the one that surprises people. A modest amount added every month, applied straight to principal, changes the shape of the whole loan.

Early payoff

Extra principal
$
%
$

Tell your servicer to apply it to principal, not to prepay next month's payment. It matters.

Interest saved$0
Scheduled payment
$0
Your new payment
$0
Interest as scheduled
$0
Interest with extra
$0
Time saved

Estimate only. These tools are for planning and education. They are not a quote, a rate lock, a pre-approval, or a commitment to lend, and they don't account for every cost in a real transaction. Your actual terms come from a lender's Loan Estimate after a full application.

Real numbers

Calculators use assumptions. I use your file.

These tools get you in the neighbourhood. A real quote takes about fifteen minutes on the phone.