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A rent payment and a mortgage payment do different things. One may include a refundable deposit; the other includes principal that reduces a debt. Rent, Buy & Move Decision Lab keeps these differences visible while comparing the same starting money, income and time horizon.
Build renting and buying options, enter the financing terms you actually have, and add maintenance, moving costs and the cost of leaving. Inspect cash before the first salary, not just an attractive balance at the end of the year. Then compare what remains after selling the property or recovering the rental deposit.
Use early-move and stress scenarios to see which assumptions drive the result. The model does not forecast property prices, choose a mortgage or calculate local taxes automatically. Missing costs stay visible instead of becoming a promise that buying or renting is cheaper.
What you get
- Same-budget comparisons: one starting amount, one household income, one exit date for every option.
- Mortgage schedules with interest and principal split, rate changes, extra payments and the last payment that clears the loan.
- Deposits and closing costs kept apart: a down payment and a refundable deposit are not counted as lost money.
- Daily funding checks: the lowest cash, the first date below your reserve and any unmet funding.
- Exit-wealth timelines: mark-to-model and realisable wealth month by month, with the break-even month and every sign change.
- Downloadable reports: printable decision report, CSV files and a full backup.
How it works
- Enter shared resources. Start date, horizon, starting money, cash reserve, household income and other spending — the same for every option.
- Build home options. Add rent and buy options with move-in dates, deposits, purchase fees, sale assumptions and the loan terms you actually have.
- Add actual costs. Insurance, property tax on an explicit basis, maintenance, HOA, moving and the cost of leaving — unknown amounts stay marked as unknown.
- Compare the same exit date. Check the lowest cash and the funding gap, then compare what remains after selling or recovering the deposit, including early-move and stress scenarios.
Limits
Decision support under your own inputs for your own household. It does not forecast property prices, choose a mortgage, check credit approval or calculate local taxes, and it is not investment or credit advice.
Questions
Is a down payment counted as a lost expense?
No, it moves cash into the property. Only costs you do not get back — interest, fees, rent, selling costs and similar — reduce wealth.
Is a rental deposit an expense?
Only the non-refundable or withheld portion. The rest stays an asset until it is returned; if it comes back after the exit date it is shown as a receivable.
Are property taxes automatic?
No; enter the amounts or assessment rule applicable to you. A percentage needs an explicit basis such as the assessed value you enter.
Can I compare an early move?
Yes. An early-move scenario closes every option on the earlier date and adds the moving, selling and lease-exit costs you enter.
Does this use AI?
No. Calculations follow the rules and assumptions shown in the tool. The help panel explains the inputs, formulas and limitations.
What is included in a one-time purchase?
The full online tool, the self-contained offline package, a guide, templates and your own reports and backups, under the licence shown at checkout.
Is it included in PRO?
Active PRO Week, Month and Year subscribers can use the full online tool. The offline program for this new tool is included only with a one-time purchase. Your own reports and data backups are not offline-program downloads.
What happens if PRO ends?
You can still view and back up your existing local records. Creating or editing calculations requires renewed PRO or a one-time purchase. A separate one-time purchase remains valid independently of PRO.
Where are my records stored?
The calculation workspace stores records in your browser on this device. Save regular backups. Clearing browser storage can remove local records. Account and purchase records are handled separately by the website.
Can I use another language or currency?
The interface supports English, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch and Russian. Choose your calculation currency separately from the language. Currency conversion uses the rates or assumptions you enter.
Does the demo accept my data?
No. The demo uses fictional examples and lets you inspect the workflow and sample reports. Your own inputs and imports are available in the full version.
Does this replace a professional adviser?
No. It explains calculations under your inputs. Use appropriate professional advice for legal, tax, employment, investment, credit and safety decisions.
Personal-use license for one household. No resale or redistribution. Opens in your browser right after payment, on phone and computer. Your figures stay on your device. No physical item.
Rent, Buy & Move Decision Lab
Compare the home you can afford to keep, not just the monthly payment.
Compare renting and buying on the same budget — buy once for $19.
- One-time purchase
- Full version of this tool on the site plus an offline version to download. One payment. The offline copy works without a subscription.
- Access with PRO
- Full version on the site while your PRO is active. Export of your results and backups is included. The offline program is bought separately.
Pay by card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
- Works in any country · your own currency
- Download link on the confirmation page and by email
- What you need: Any modern browser · phone and computer · offline HTML file · CSV & printable reports · 8 languages
- Refund within 14 days, for any purchase
- Formats: Interactive tool in your browser — phone and computer; PDF & CSV export
- Interactive browser app · phone and computer · downloadable offline version with a one-time purchase.
- Money calculated exactly and rounded to the currency's smallest unit; JPY, KWD and other currencies supported.
- Horizon from 1 to 600 months; at least two rent or buy options compared on the same exit date.
- Nominal APR or effective annual rate, rate changes, extra payments, prepayment charge, broken first period.
- CSV (UTF-8) and XLSX import of household flows and housing costs.
- Local workspace storage, complete backups and CSV exports.
- Printable decision report (A4 or US Letter).
- 8 languages; any currency.
- No AI required.
- One-time purchase · licence for your own household.
Any purchase is refunded if you ask within 14 days of payment. Files that will not open, and anything that does not match its description, are refunded in full at any time, with no time limit.
