Buy Now vs Wait Calculator
Buying now against waiting: the monthly payment and the five-year cost of each, under your own price and rate assumptions.
Current situation
$
%
%
$
If you wait
months
Negative means prices fall.
% annual
Added to the down payment while you wait.
$
Step up your monthly savings by this much each year.
%
%
Buy Now
Better- Monthly Payment
- $3,460
- 5-Year Total Cost
- $337,574
Wait 12 Months
- Monthly Payment
- $3,466
- 5-Year Total Cost
- $392,527
Buying now appears to save more over 5 years
Estimated savings: $54,953 over 5 years
- Rent during wait
- $36,000
- Future home price
- $669,500
This comparison uses five-year total cost. Market conditions, personal timing and life circumstances matter and the model cannot predict them. Consult a real estate professional before deciding.
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How this is calculated
We compare the ~5-year cost of buying now against waiting — letting the home price move while you keep renting and investing a bigger down payment.
The steps
- Buy now: down payment + mortgage payment (standard amortization) over the period.
- Wait: grow the home price by appreciation, invest your extra monthly savings, then re-compute the loan and payment — plus the rent paid while waiting.
- Compare total costs and recommend the cheaper path.
Assumptions
- Price appreciation, rent, and investment return you enter; 30-year loan.
Good to know
- Sensitive to rate and price moves, which are unpredictable.
Related resources
Educational disclaimer. Everything on WealthSerene.com is educational and is not investment advice. Projections and calculations are illustrative; actual results depend on market conditions, your situation and factors outside this tool’s scope. For a decision specific to your situation, consult a qualified financial professional. View full disclosures