--- title: The Porch Blog by Ruoff Mortgage | Courtney Christensen (3) description: Exploring homeownership - from mortgage finance to home DIY, from gardening to budgeting tips and more! (3) --- [![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/Do-You-Have-to-Put-20-Down-on-a-House.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/do-you-have-to-put-20-down-on-a-house) [Mortgage 101](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/mortgage-101) ## [Do You Have to Put 20% Down on a House?](https://blog.ruoff.com/do-you-have-to-put-20-down-on-a-house) Are you ready to buy a house? You’ve got your debt under control, your credit score is good, and you feel like it’s time to take that next... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/do-you-have-to-put-20-down-on-a-house) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/Is-It-Better-to-Have-an-FHA-or-Conventional-Loan.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/is-it-better-to-have-an-fha-or-conventional-loan) [Mortgage 101](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/mortgage-101) ## [Is It Better to Have an FHA or Conventional Loan?](https://blog.ruoff.com/is-it-better-to-have-an-fha-or-conventional-loan) Two of the most popular loans, FHA and Conventional loans, are often presented to homebuyers to choose between. Both have pros and cons,... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/is-it-better-to-have-an-fha-or-conventional-loan) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/Fill-Up-with-These-Soups-for-Fall.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/fill-up-with-these-soups-for-fall) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle) ## [Fill Up with These Soups for Fall](https://blog.ruoff.com/fill-up-with-these-soups-for-fall) What’s more versatile than soup? This fall, pull out your slow cooker and get ready to try something new! We’ve collected 11 soups and... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/fill-up-with-these-soups-for-fall) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/Does-Refinancing-Hurt-My-Credit-Score.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/does-refinancing-hurt-my-credit-score) [Refinancing](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/refinancing) ## [Does Refinancing Hurt My Credit Score?](https://blog.ruoff.com/does-refinancing-hurt-my-credit-score) Every once in awhile, there is a nationwide surge in refinancing due to the dips in interest rates. Sometimes, these dips only last a week,... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/does-refinancing-hurt-my-credit-score) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/Your-Guide-to-Fall-Home-Maintenance.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/your-guide-to-fall-home-maintenance) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle) ## [Your Guide to Fall Home Maintenance](https://blog.ruoff.com/your-guide-to-fall-home-maintenance) The fall season is upon us. It’s time to welcome cool nights, colorful leaves, and, yes, pumpkin spice. It’s also time to check up on your... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/your-guide-to-fall-home-maintenance) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/What-happens-when-a-mortgage-goes-to-underwriting.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-happens-when-a-mortgage-goes-to-underwriting) [Mortgage 101](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/mortgage-101) ## [What Happens when a Mortgage Goes to Underwriting?](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-happens-when-a-mortgage-goes-to-underwriting) One of the last steps before your loan is approved and the house keys are placed in your hands is underwriting. Underwriting is the process... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-happens-when-a-mortgage-goes-to-underwriting) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/What-You-Need-to-Know-About-Credit-Mix.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-credit-mix) [Finances](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/finances) ## [What You Need to Know About Credit Mix](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-credit-mix) The five components of your credit score: payment history, utilization, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix, all factor... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-credit-mix) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/FHA-vs-USDA-Loans-Explained.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/fha-vs-usda-loans-explained) [Mortgage 101](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/mortgage-101) ## [FHA vs USDA Loans: Explained](https://blog.ruoff.com/fha-vs-usda-loans-explained) When it comes to picking out the right loan type for you and your family, things can get quite complicated. Between the housing industry... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/fha-vs-usda-loans-explained) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/Giving-Back-Back-to-School-Edition.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/giving-back-back-to-school-edition) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle) ## [Giving Back: Back to School Edition](https://blog.ruoff.com/giving-back-back-to-school-edition) August is back-to-school month across the United States, but because of the global pandemic, there are even more challenges than usual this... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/giving-back-back-to-school-edition) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/Creative-Ways-to-Save-for-a-Down-Payment.jpg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/30-creative-ways-to-save-for-a-down-payment) [Finances](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/finances) ## [30+ Creative Ways to Save for a Down Payment](https://blog.ruoff.com/30-creative-ways-to-save-for-a-down-payment) Are you ready to buy a house, but are lacking the upfront funds? Saving for a down payment can be rough, but there are plenty of creative... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/30-creative-ways-to-save-for-a-down-payment) - [Previous page](https://blog.ruoff.com/author/courtney-christensen/page/2) - [Next page](https://blog.ruoff.com/author/courtney-christensen/page/4) [![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/)