Are these calculators accurate for the Bay Area?
Yes. Default values are calibrated for current 2026 Bay Area conditions: 1.15% property tax (CA Prop 13 baseline + local), 6.85% mortgage rate (median 30-year conforming), $150/mo insurance, 7% all-in sale costs. Adjust any input to your actual numbers.
Do you store my data?
No. All math runs in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server. Nothing is stored. Close the tab and the numbers are gone.
Which calculator should I use first?
If you are thinking about selling: start with Net Proceeds — it answers the most-asked seller question first. If buying: Mortgage Calculator for affordability + Rent vs. Buy if you are on the fence. Most users run all three over the course of researching.
How is the Mortgage Calculator different from Zillow's?
Ours uses California-specific defaults (1.15% effective property tax accounting for local additions, Bay Area insurance ranges). Zillow uses national averages that underestimate Bay Area total housing cost by 10-20%.
How accurate is the Rent vs. Buy verdict?
The math is mechanical and correct given the inputs. The TRUTH of the answer depends on the appreciation assumption — Bay Area long-term is ~3-4% but short windows swing -5% to +10%. Run multiple appreciation scenarios.
Should I trust the Net Proceeds output as my actual take-home?
As an estimate, yes — typically within 3-5%. For an address-specific number with your actual mortgage balance, commission negotiated rate, and county-specific transfer tax, Roger runs a tailored projection in the free consultation.
Can I save my calculations?
Not currently — they live only in your browser session. Workaround: take a screenshot or paste the numbers in your notes app.
What about a 1031 exchange or rental investment calculator?
Coming. For now: see the /investment-property-bay-area and /1031-exchange-bay-area pages for the framework; run actual numbers with Roger and your CPA.
What if my situation does not fit these three calculators?
Call (510) 504-0402 or text. Roger runs custom-number projections daily — short sale, divorce split, multi-property sale, IPO timing, downsizing equity calculus. The free call covers most of these.