Ray Castellano

Editor, Home, Auto & Money

Ray Castellano edits Moneystretching's coverage of homeownership, car costs, debt and taxes. That means insurance renewals and claims, escrow and mortgage insurance, car loans and dealer add-ons, credit card math and IRS notices. He works from primary sources such as the CFPB, the FTC, the IRS, state insurance departments and published rate data, lists them at the end of every article, and updates a piece when the rules or the numbers change. He doesn't sell financial products and doesn't recommend specific lenders or insurers.

33 articles

Stories by Ray Castellano

A cash purchase offer letter for a house on a desk, with the offer line of $170,000 highlighted next to an estimated market value of $250,000 and a sticky note reading "$80K less? Home & Mortgage Your tax basis in an inherited house is its date-of-death value A contractor's written estimate for home accessibility work on a table, with the walk-in tub line highlighted at $8,000 and a sticky note reading "Who pays? Home & Mortgage Your stairlift quote may be $7,000. Medicare's share is zero. An electric bill on a desk with the line "Price per kWh: 19.29¢ → 21.84¢" highlighted and a sticky note reading "Same usage?". Home & Mortgage Divide your electric bill by the kilowatt-hours. Compare it with last year A reverse mortgage cost estimate on a desk with the line "Upfront mortgage insurance: $8,000" highlighted and a sticky note reading "Before $1 paid?". Home & Mortgage Twelve months in a nursing home can make your reverse mortgage due A home equity loan comparison sheet on a desk with the HELOC interest-only payment of $178 highlighted and a sticky note reading "Then $350?". Home & Mortgage A HELOC payment changes twice. Plan for the second one before signing An escrow analysis statement on a desk with the line "Escrow shortage: $2,100" highlighted and a sticky note reading "+$325 a month?". Home & Mortgage Your fixed-rate payment has two parts that are not fixed at all A property assessment notice on a desk with the line "Senior exemption (65+): Not applied" highlighted and a sticky note asking whether the house would sell for $310k. Home & Mortgage Your property tax bill has an exemptions line. Read it tonight Illustrated monthly mortgage statement on a desk with the $200 private mortgage insurance line highlighted and a sticky note asking "Protects who? Home & Mortgage Your PMI can end at 75% of today's home value Illustrated HVAC replacement estimate on a desk showing a $7,500 job, $0 paid by home insurance, a $3,000 warranty cap and $4,500 left for the owner. Home & Mortgage Your home warranty may pay $3,000 toward a $7,500 system Illustrated claim decision letter on a desk showing a water damage claim marked denied, with a sticky note reading "Not final. Insurance Your home claim was denied. Find the "Suit Against Us" date first.