True cost of owning a home
The monthly payment is only part of the story. This adds up everything owning costs — interest, mortgage insurance, property tax, insurance, maintenance, closing and selling costs — then subtracts what comes back from appreciation and tax savings. Your down payment and principal aren't counted as costs: they become equity.
Closing and selling costs are paid once, so a short stay spreads them over few months. The lighter and darker lines show home prices growing two points slower or faster than you assumed.