--- title: The Porch Blog by Ruoff Mortgage | Arlene Isenburg (2) description: Exploring homeownership - from mortgage finance to home DIY, from gardening to budgeting tips and more! (2) --- [![ThePorch\_Color](https://blog.ruoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ThePorch_Color.png?width=2001&height=753&name=ThePorch_Color.png "ThePorch_Color")](http://www.ruoff.com) # The Porch The Keys to Homeownership ![Background with awesome gradient](https://f.hubspotusercontent00.net/hubfs/8534459/photos/Homepage-1-1.png) Latest Articles [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/how-many-times-should-you-see-a-house.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-many-times-should-you-see-a-house-before-you-buy) [Homebuying](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/homebuying) ## [How Many Times Should You See a House Before You Buy?](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-many-times-should-you-see-a-house-before-you-buy) Some potential buyers walk into a house and know right away that it’s their future home, while some need some time to think about it.... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-many-times-should-you-see-a-house-before-you-buy) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/common-tax-deductions-for-homeowners.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/common-tax-deductions-for-homeowners) [Finances](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/finances) ## [Common Tax Deductions for Homeowners](https://blog.ruoff.com/common-tax-deductions-for-homeowners) It’s that time of year again… TAX SEASON! Let’s be honest, no one likes doing taxes except accountants. We all want to keep as much of our... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/common-tax-deductions-for-homeowners) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/How-Can-I-Buy-a-House-with-No-Deposit.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-can-i-buy-a-house-without-a-deposit) [Homebuying](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/homebuying) ## [How Can I Buy a House without a Deposit?](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-can-i-buy-a-house-without-a-deposit) Whether you’re paying rent, paying off student loans, or just living your life, it is hard to save enough money to make a down payment when... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-can-i-buy-a-house-without-a-deposit) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/How-Much-Money-Should-You-Have-Before-You-Buy-a-House.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-much-money-should-you-have-before-you-buy-a-house) [Homebuying](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/homebuying) ## [How Much Money Should You Have Before You Buy a House?](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-much-money-should-you-have-before-you-buy-a-house) Saving for a down payment can be challenging, and many homeowners say it’s the hardest part of the home-buying process. When buying a house... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-much-money-should-you-have-before-you-buy-a-house) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/When-is-Refinancing-a-Bad-Idea.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/when-is-refinancing-a-bad-idea) [Refinancing](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/refinancing) ## [When is Refinancing a Bad Idea?](https://blog.ruoff.com/when-is-refinancing-a-bad-idea) With interest rates changing over time, refinancing your mortgage may be something you consider at some point. [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/when-is-refinancing-a-bad-idea) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/Improve-Your-Credit-All-Year.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/improve-your-credit-all-year) [Finances](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/finances) ## [Improve Your Credit All Year](https://blog.ruoff.com/improve-your-credit-all-year) Your credit score is one of the most important aspects of your financial life, because it impacts nearly every financial move you make.... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/improve-your-credit-all-year) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/how-long-is-mortgage-processing.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-long-is-mortgage-processing) [Mortgage 101](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/mortgage-101) ## [How Long is Mortgage Processing?](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-long-is-mortgage-processing) The wait between submitting your mortgage application and getting a response can seem like forever. You’ve submitted all your documents and... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-long-is-mortgage-processing) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/What-Credit-Score-do-I-Need-to-Buy-a-House-1.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-credit-score-do-i-need-to-buy-a-house) [Mortgage 101](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/mortgage-101) ## [What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a House?](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-credit-score-do-i-need-to-buy-a-house) A credit score is a number based on a person’s credit history that indicates his creditworthiness and is used by lenders to determine if a... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-credit-score-do-i-need-to-buy-a-house) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/When-Should-You-Buy-a-House.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/do-first-time-homebuyers-need-a-down-payment) [Homebuying](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/homebuying) ## [Do First Time Homebuyers Need a Down Payment?](https://blog.ruoff.com/do-first-time-homebuyers-need-a-down-payment) Years ago, there was a belief that buyers should pay a 20% down payment when buying a home. But that thinking has gone by the wayside, and... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/do-first-time-homebuyers-need-a-down-payment) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/How-Do-You-Find-Out-the-equity-in-your-home.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-do-you-find-out-the-equity-in-your-home) [Mortgage 101](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/mortgage-101) ## [How Do You Find Out the Equity in Your Home?](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-do-you-find-out-the-equity-in-your-home) Homeownership is part of the American dream. And it’s the goal of every homeowner to own 100% of his home. That’s the point of a... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-do-you-find-out-the-equity-in-your-home) - [Previous page](https://blog.ruoff.com/author/arlene-isenburg/page/1) - [Next page](https://blog.ruoff.com/author/arlene-isenburg/page/3) [![Ruoff\_Mortgage\_Wht-4-2](https://blog.ruoff.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ruoff_Mortgage_Wht-4-2.png?width=2001&height=753&name=Ruoff_Mortgage_Wht-4-2.png "Ruoff_Mortgage_Wht-4-2")](http://www.ruoff.com) Copyright © 2026 Ruoff Mortgage [Logo](https://twitter.com/RuoffMortgage) [Logo](https://www.instagram.com/ruoffmortgage/)