The Porch

When you're exploring mortgage options, one of the first terms you'll hear is conventional loan. But what exactly does that mean—and is it...

If you’ve ever taken out a mortgage—or even just looked into one—you’ve probably heard the word “amortization.” It sounds technical, but at...

If you’re buying a home or refinancing, you’ve probably heard the word “escrow” tossed around. It can sound like mortgage jargon, but...

When it comes to buying a home, trust is everything. At Ruoff Mortgage, we know our clients aren’t just signing paperwork—they’re sharing...

If you're in the process of buying a home or refinancing, you've probably heard the term lock-in rate tossed around. It sounds simple, but...

If you've started looking into mortgages, you've probably come across the term "Loan-to-Value Ratio" or LTV. It might sound like just...

Private Mortgage Insurance—PMI for short—is one of those mortgage terms that often raises eyebrows. What is it? Why do some buyers have to...

When it comes to qualifying for a mortgage, one of the most important numbers lenders look at is your Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI). It’s a...

When you buy a home, there’s a lot to think about—budgets, inspections, moving trucks, loan paperwork. But one thing that often gets...

When you're buying a home or refinancing, there's a lot of paperwork. But one document stands out as the last big checkpoint before you...