DecisionCalc/Real Estate Arbiter
Simulation Mode Engine Active
Buy vs Rent Audit
// Forensic Housing Decision Intelligence  ·  The Arbiter
// Forensic Prologue

Most "buy vs rent" calculators tell you what your mortgage payment will be. They do not tell you what your true monthly housing cost is — the one that includes property tax, insurance, maintenance, opportunity cost on your down payment, and the equity you build versus the rent you burn. This engine corrects that. Input your variables. The Arbiter renders the verdict.

01
Input The Buy Side
Home price, down payment, mortgage rate, term, and ongoing costs (taxes, insurance, maintenance).
02
Input The Rent Side
Monthly rent, renter's insurance, and the investment return you'd get on the down payment if you rented instead.
03
Await Verdict
The engine calculates true monthly cost on both sides. The lower number wins. The truth is rarely what the mortgage broker tells you.
🔐 Final Verdict locked — enter email to reveal's Verdict
True Cost — Buy
$3,247
All-in monthly
True Cost — Rent
$2,850
All-in monthly
Net Monthly Delta
+$397
Buy premium
5-Year Impact
$23,820
Cumulative
The Buy Path
Ownership
Home Price$450,000
Down Payment %20%
Mortgage Rate6.5%
Loan Term30 yrs
Property Tax %/yr1.2%
Insurance + Maint. %/yr1.5%
Monthly P&I$2,275
Property Tax / Mo$450
Ins + Maint / Mo$562
Opp. Cost (Down Pmt)$300
True Monthly Cost$3,587
The Rent Path
Liquidity
Monthly Rent$2,800
Renter's Insurance / Mo$25
Investment Return8%
Monthly Rent$2,800
Renter's Insurance$25
Investment Gain Offset-$600
True Monthly Cost$2,225
// The Arbiter's Verdict
Awaiting Input
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// Adjust your inputs above  ·  Then reveal the verdict
Not financial advice  ·  Simulation mode
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