Mortgage Calculator User Guide

Everything you need to know to use the Bricks mortgage calculator effectively.

Getting Started

  • Access the calculator through the "Simulator" tab.
  • The Basic Mode is designed for quick mortgage calculations with essential inputs.

Key Features

1. Currency Selection

Tap the currency icon ($ or S/) in the top-left to switch between USD and PEN.

2. Home Price

  • Enter the total price of the property you're purchasing.
  • The value automatically updates calculations as you type.

3. Down Payment

  • Enter your initial payment amount.
  • Quick percentages (10%, 15%, 20%, 25%) can be selected for convenience.
  • The app automatically calculates the loan amount (Home Price minus Down Payment).

4. Interest Rate

  • Enter your annual interest rate (%).
  • This is the rate your lender is offering for your mortgage.

5. Loan Term

  • Select from standard options (10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years).
  • The term affects your monthly payment and total interest paid.

6. Calculate Button

Tap to view detailed results including monthly payment, amortization schedule (Premium Feature), and more.

General Tips

  • The calculator automatically validates your inputs before calculating.
  • Required fields must be completed before calculation results are shown.
  • Tap the question mark icon anytime to view visual help guides.
  • Results can be saved for later comparison or reference.
  • Pull down to refresh and reset all fields to default values from settings.

Advanced Mode Access

  • Tap the lightning bolt icon in the top-right to switch to Advanced Mode (premium feature).

Advanced Mode Features

1. Mode Toggle

  • Switch between Home Price and Loan Amount modes using the house/building icon.
  • Home Price mode: Enter property price and down payment.
  • Loan Amount mode: Enter loan amount directly.

2. Disbursement Date

  • Set the exact date when your loan will be disbursed.
  • Affects the amortization schedule start date.

3. Precise Loan Term

  • Enter specific term in months instead of preset year options.
  • For custom loan periods that don't match standard options.

4. Insurance Options

  • Life Insurance Rate: Add monthly life insurance as a percentage of the loan.
  • Home Insurance Rate: Add monthly property insurance as a percentage of the home value.

5. Detailed Results

  • Separate breakdowns for principal, interest, and insurance components.
  • Comprehensive amortization schedule showing balance reduction over time.
  • Visual charts for payment breakdown (premium feature).

Tips for Advanced Mode

  • Use exact values for precise calculations (actual interest rate to two decimal places, specific loan term in months).
  • Toggle between Home Price and Loan Amount modes based on what information you have available.
  • Add insurance rates for a complete monthly payment calculation including all costs.

General Tips

  • The calculator automatically validates your inputs before calculating.
  • Required fields must be completed before calculation results are shown.
  • Tap the question mark icon anytime to view visual help guides.
  • Results can be saved for later comparison or reference.
  • Pull down to refresh and reset all fields to default values from settings.

The Prepayment Calculator helps you see how making extra payments affects your mortgage.

Getting Started

  1. Your mortgage details appear at the top
  2. Enter two key values:
    • Extra Payment Amount: How much extra you'll pay
    • Starting Month: When you'll begin making extra payments

Making Calculations

  1. Tap "Calculate Savings" at the bottom
  2. View your personalized results showing:
    • Total Interest Saved: Money you won't pay in interest
    • Months Saved: How much earlier you'll pay off your loan
    • New Loan Term: Your shortened payoff timeline
    • Payoff Date: When you'll become mortgage-free

Using the Results

  • Charts: See visual comparison of original vs. new loan
  • Share: Tap the share icon to save or send your results
  • Amortization: View detailed payment schedule with the calendar icon

Tips

  • Try different payment amounts to see various scenarios
  • Earlier prepayments generally save more interest
  • You can recalculate anytime with new values

Files is your centralized hub for managing all your saved mortgage calculations. This organized dashboard allows you to view, compare, and analyze your different mortgage scenarios in one convenient place.

View & Organize Your Calculations

  • See all your saved mortgage calculations in one place
  • Sort by name or date using the arrow icon at top-left
  • Tap any calculation to select it (up to 6 selections)

Quick Actions

  • Tap calculation: Select/deselect it
  • View Results: Tap the "View Results" button on any calculation

Swipe Actions

Swipe Left ←

  • Rename: Change the calculation name
  • Copy/Load: Use this calculation in the calculator
  • Prepayment Calculator: Analyze savings with extra payments

Swipe Right →

  • Delete: Remove the calculation
  • Share: Generate and share a PDF report
  • Amortization: View detailed payment breakdown

Compare Calculations

  1. Select 2-3 calculations by tapping them
  2. Tap the "Compare" button at the top-right
  3. View side-by-side comparison

Multiple Delete

  1. Select two or more calculations
  2. Tap the trash icon at the top-right
  3. Confirm to delete all selected items