Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the common ones. For the math behind the figures, see How the numbers work.
Getting started
What is AllSquare?
A tool for comparing houses side by side while you're house-hunting — the true monthly cost, a transparent renovation-cost estimate, commute times, flood-zone risk, and a weighted score that ranks your shortlist. It's built for a buyer choosing among a handful of homes.
Do I need an account? Is it free?
No account, and it's free to use right now. There's no sign-up — everything you add is saved in your browser and is there when you come back.
How do I add a house?
Click Add a house, then paste a Zillow listing link to auto-fill the details, or type them in by hand. Add two or more houses to compare them.
Which listing sites can I import from?
Zillow today (via a listing-data service). Redfin, Realtor.com, and Trulia are planned. You can always add any house by hand, from any source.
The import missed a field — what do I do?
Listings differ in what they expose, so an import occasionally comes up short. Every field is editable on the house card — just fill in whatever's missing, and the "Needs you" chips show what still wants a value.
Your data & privacy
Where is my data stored? Is it private?
In your own browser — your lists and houses aren't uploaded to a server. Aggregate, anonymous usage analytics may be collected to improve the app; the details are in the privacy policy.
Will I lose my data if I clear my browser or switch devices?
Because it's stored locally, clearing site data — or opening the app in a different browser or on another device — starts fresh. Use Backup JSON (next to the export buttons) to save a copy you can restore anytime. Optional account sync across devices is planned but not available yet.
Can I share a list with my partner or agent?
Not yet — read-only sharing is planned. For now, Backup JSON → Restore JSON moves a whole list between browsers.
The numbers
Are the estimates financial advice?
No. Many figures are estimates from published benchmarks and rules of thumb — treat them as guidance, not fact, and not financial advice. Wherever you have a real number (your rate, a quote, the tax bill), enter it and the estimate steps aside.
How is the monthly payment figured?
Loan principal & interest on the standard amortization curve, plus property tax, insurance, and HOA — the true "what leaves your account each month." Full detail on the methodology page.
What is “budget fit”?
A safe / stretch / over-budget rating from the classic 28 / 36 / 43 debt-to-income lines. It appears once you add your income (and any monthly debts) to the financing profile under List setup.
How do the renovation-cost estimates work?
Each item is priced from a sourced national rate × size, at a budget / mid / high tier, adjusted for the home's region. Each item's confidence — definite, likely, or optional — feeds three running totals: conservative, likely, and maximum.
How does the ranking / score work?
Set scoring weights for what matters to you — price, commute, space, condition, and more — and AllSquare combines them into one weighted score that ranks the houses. Change the weights and the ranking updates live.
Features
How do commute times work?
Add one or more destinations under List setup, and each house shows the drive time to them — estimated at a typical weekday morning rush hour (traffic-aware), recomputed on demand rather than continuously.
How does the flood-zone check work?
Click Check flood zone on a house — it looks up FEMA's flood map for the address (free, no key needed) and flags whether flood insurance is typically required there.
Where do the insurance estimates come from?
When left blank, homeowners and flood insurance pre-fill from regional benchmarks so nothing gets missed; edit them anytime with a real quote.
How do I export or print my comparison?
Use the CSV and PDF buttons above the comparison. Backup JSON saves a full copy of the list (houses, renovations, financing, weights) that you can restore later.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes — it's responsive and works in a mobile browser.
About & contact
Is AllSquare affiliated with Zillow?
No — it's an independent tool and isn't affiliated with Zillow or any listing site. Imported listing data belongs to its source.
How do I report a bug or suggest a feature?
Use the Send feedback link in the footer — it opens an email. Bug reports and feature ideas are genuinely welcome.