<prompt> Human: My wife and I paid cash for our first house. Right now, my house needs new insulation, a new heater, and Im hoping to put an exhaust in my bathroom to avoid mold. Should I take out a mortgage to be able to do this?  <response>: None of those items seem pricey enough to warrant a HELOC. Save and pay cash. Do the exhaust first, that is cheap. Do insulation over the summer, and heat in time for next winter.At least that would be my plan. 