Smart numbers for every stage of buying a home.
Free, friendly tools for the financial journey around your home — pay off debt to get mortgage-ready, run the numbers on buying, and build wealth after you own.
The journey around your home
HomeCrunch covers the three big financial moves that surround buying a place to live — before, during, and after the loan.
Pay down debt
Lenders care about your debt-to-income ratio. Less debt means better terms — and more house you can actually afford.
Debt strategy → Step 2 · BuyingBuy the home
From figuring out what you can afford through closing day. Calculators and a step-by-step walkthrough at every stage.
Buying tools → Step 3 · AfterBuild wealth
You own the house. Now what? 401(k), Roth, index funds, and the invest-vs-overpay-mortgage question — all explained.
Investing guide →All the calculators
Organized by where you are in the journey. Each is quick to use — no signup, no email, just answers.
Before buying
Buying
Quick wisdom from each stage
Pay down debt before applying
Every $100/mo in debt eliminated is roughly $15–20K of additional home price you can qualify for. See the debt strategies →
Snowball or avalanche — pick what sticks
Research shows people who attack smallest debts first are more likely to finish. The optimal plan you abandon is worse than the okay plan you complete. Compare both →
Have an emergency fund first
3–6 months of expenses in a high-yield savings account, separate from your down payment. Closing day drains your liquid cash — surprise repairs shouldn't push you into credit-card debt. More on getting ready →
Know your monthly comfort zone
Most lenders cap housing costs at ~28% of gross monthly income. Aim lower — leave room for repairs, savings, and life. Run the numbers →
Budget for closing costs
Buyers typically pay 2–5% of the home price at closing. It adds up fast — plan ahead and don't drain every dollar. Estimate yours →
Capture your 401(k) match first
If your employer matches 401(k) contributions, that's a literal 100% return. Always grab the match before extra mortgage payments. More investing basics →
Index funds beat the pros
Over 15-year stretches, ~90% of actively-managed funds underperform their index. Boring, low-cost index funds win for almost everyone. Why this works →