Cathy Lutz

So a babe is on the way? Congrats! Along with the chaos of, well, everything that is to come, your finances are about to experience an upheaval, as well. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it will cost upwards of $245,000 to raise a child born in 2013 to the age of 18″and this […]

Owing more money on your mortgage loan than your home is worth”commonly referred to as being underwater on a home mortgage”can seem hopeless. There were 6.7 million underwater homes in the U.S. at the end of the first quarter of 2016, representing 12 percent of all properties with a mortgage, according to RealtyTrac. The numbers […]

If you plan to lead a conventional life, odds are you will need insurance. Youll need health insurance, car insurance, and eventually home insurance. The latter is often the most perplexing since we have no prior experience with it as we do with health insurance. What exactly is home insurance and how bullet-proof is your […]

A home is the biggest single purchase most people will make. Matt Blashaw, a licensed contractor and host of the DIY network show, Money Hunters, offers six tips for planning and performing routine maintenance that can save dollars as well as future headaches: Save on tools ” Unless its a tool you will use often, […]

Those considering purchasing a new home may want to consider becoming a condo owner. Popular with every homeowner”from first-time buyers to retirees”condos offer many advantages over a traditional stand-alone property. Below are the top three. Affordability: If you’re looking for a newly built home, a condo is likely to be less expensive than a stand-alone […]

In addition to being unsightly, mold in your home can create numerous health problems, from breathing issues to skin irritations, fevers and more. Below are some tips for keeping your home mold-free. Treat topically. Homeowners often have their own mold-murdering solution they prefer. Whether you prefer vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or bleach, clean surfaces monthly to […]

Mortgage rates have been relatively low for years. Seeing them inch up can cause home shoppers to panic and possibly put their home purchase on hold. The good news is that there are options when mortgage rates are rising. First, it’s worthwhile knowing that small increases in mortgage interest rates shouldn’t affect buyers too much […]

If you dont pay your property tax bill, expect your lender to reach out. Property taxes can be one of those homeownership costs that you dont think about when shopping for a home. But theyll hit you sometime during the buying process”there’s no hiding from them. Property taxes vary by state, county and even city, […]

Shopping for a mortgage isnt as fun as looking at homes to buy, but its an important step that will affect you for years. There are many ways to shop for a lender. You can start by looking at online mortgage lenders. Or you can walk in to a bank and ask to talk to […]

Whether you just moved into a new place or are looking to freshen up for important company, getting rid of musty odors can be difficult. Below are five helpful ways to freshen up the smell of your spot. Include house plants. Even the subtlest-smelling house plant will help clean the air through natural filtration. In […]