Free buyer sheet

The Real Monthly Cost

Two $600,000 homes in Solano County can be $350 a month apart. That's like paying about $46,000 more for the house.

Same price, different monthly cost

10% down, 30-year fixed at 7.40% (Freddie Mac average, Oct 15, 2026). Rounded estimates.

	Home A	Home B
Principal & interest	$3,739	$3,739
Property tax (~1.2%/yr)	$600	$600
Insurance (~$2,000/yr)	$167	$167
Mortgage insurance (PMI)	$225	$225
Mello-Roos (~$2,400/yr)	$0	$200
HOA	$0	$150
Monthly total	$4,731	$5,081

Compare homes by the monthly number, not the price. Mello-Roos isn't in the list price, and lenders count it against what you can borrow.

Run any home

Price ($) Down payment (%) Interest rate (%) Property tax (% per year) Insurance ($ per year) Mello-Roos ($ per year) HOA ($ per month) PMI (% of loan per year)

TRUE MONTHLY COST

Before you write an offer

Find the real tax rate. It's 1% plus local bonds; the listing's last tax bill shows it.
Check for Mello-Roos. It's on the county tax bill and in the disclosures. Common in newer subdivisions.
Get two insurance quotes first. Some homes are hard to insure, and it can change your monthly cost a lot.
Save for the supplemental tax bill. After closing the county reassesses at your price and bills the difference. Escrow usually doesn't cover it.

Get the one-page sheet

Free PDF with the worksheet and checklist. Paste a listing link and I'll send back its real monthly number.

You'll also get a few short emails from me with buyer tips and new listings. Reply "stop" anytime.

Here you go!

Your sheet is ready.

Download the PDF

Looking at a specific home? I'll run the real number.

Call or text (925) 307-8798

For illustration only. Figures are estimates. Actual rates, property tax rates, special assessments, insurance premiums, mortgage insurance and HOA dues vary by property, lender, credit and market conditions. Not a commitment to lend or loan, tax or insurance advice. Tye Moody is a real estate agent, not a lender, tax advisor or insurance agent; confirm numbers with licensed professionals before making an offer.

Tye Moody, REALTOR® · DRE #02439789 · Twin Oaks Real Estate, Inc. · Broker DRE #01845706 · Equal Housing Opportunity

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