--- title: The Porch Blog by Ruoff Mortgage | Lifestyle description: Lifestyle | Exploring homeownership - from mortgage finance to home DIY, from gardening to budgeting tips and more! --- [![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 [![At-home coffee bar with coffee maker, decorations, and a place for coffee and sugar.](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_1029172192.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/celebrate-national-coffee-day-with-the-coffee-bar-of-your-dreams) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle) ## [Celebrate National Coffee Day With the Coffee Bar of Your Dreams](https://blog.ruoff.com/celebrate-national-coffee-day-with-the-coffee-bar-of-your-dreams) Have you started your yearly “Gilmore Girls” rewatch yet? [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/celebrate-national-coffee-day-with-the-coffee-bar-of-your-dreams) [![Adult woman and young boy pick apple in apple orchard](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_285097348.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/the-ultimate-fall-bucket-list-10-things-to-do-this-season) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle) ## [The Ultimate Fall Bucket List: 10 Things to Do This Season](https://blog.ruoff.com/the-ultimate-fall-bucket-list-10-things-to-do-this-season) Fall will officially be here on September 22, and that means it's time to make the most of crisp mornings, colorful leaves, cozy sweaters,... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/the-ultimate-fall-bucket-list-10-things-to-do-this-season) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_1985598655.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/pets-home-alone-more-here-are-some-ideas) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle), [House to Home](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/house-to-home) ## [Pets Home Alone More? Here are Some Ideas](https://blog.ruoff.com/pets-home-alone-more-here-are-some-ideas) [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/pets-home-alone-more-here-are-some-ideas) [![Man Adjusting Digital Central Heating Thermostat At Home](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_369271006.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/should-you-audit-the-energy-in-your-home) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle) ## [Should You Audit the Energy in Your Home?](https://blog.ruoff.com/should-you-audit-the-energy-in-your-home) Ever feel like your utility bills are higher than they should be? Or maybe your home is just never the right temperature, no matter what... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/should-you-audit-the-energy-in-your-home) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_533511402.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/a-guide-to-remodeling-your-bathroom) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle), [House to Home](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/house-to-home) ## [A Guide to Remodeling Your Bathroom:](https://blog.ruoff.com/a-guide-to-remodeling-your-bathroom) The bathrooms of yesteryear may hold a certain charm in the hearts of some, but for most, these wallpaper-laden historical artifacts seem... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/a-guide-to-remodeling-your-bathroom) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_360943439%20(1).jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-the-school-season) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle), [House to Home](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/house-to-home) ## [How to Prepare Your Home for The School Season](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-the-school-season) As the seasons gradually change from the hot summer to autumn, the tone may be changing in your household. School season comes with this... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-the-school-season) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_243914354.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/simplifying-the-30-home-remodeling-rule) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle), [House to Home](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/house-to-home) ## [Simplifying the 30% Home Remodeling Rule:](https://blog.ruoff.com/simplifying-the-30-home-remodeling-rule) The seasons have changed from rainy to dry, and thus, remodeling season is upon us. Considering this, it’s particularly pertinent to know... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/simplifying-the-30-home-remodeling-rule) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_370958507.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-to-keep-your-lawn-vibrant-and-bright-this-summer) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle), [House to Home](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/house-to-home) ## [How To Keep Your Lawn Vibrant and Bright this Summer](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-to-keep-your-lawn-vibrant-and-bright-this-summer) A task that has harped on the chords of 15 year olds around suburban America, mowing, and your lawn, plays an important role in your home’s... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/how-to-keep-your-lawn-vibrant-and-bright-this-summer) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_1928801417.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/patio-vs.-deck-which-is-for-you) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle), [House to Home](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/house-to-home) ## [Patio vs. Deck: Which is For You?](https://blog.ruoff.com/patio-vs.-deck-which-is-for-you) To elevate or not to elevate?: This question has been ingrained in the minds of home improvers around the nation for years. The National... [Read more](https://blog.ruoff.com/patio-vs.-deck-which-is-for-you) [![](https://blog.ruoff.com/hubfs/AdobeStock_101971848.jpeg)](https://blog.ruoff.com/why-a-lake-house-could-be-for-you) [Lifestyle](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/lifestyle), [Homebuying](https://blog.ruoff.com/tag/homebuying) ## [Why a Lake House Could be For You:](https://blog.ruoff.com/why-a-lake-house-could-be-for-you) Lakes, and lake culture for that matter, are an integral part of the midwest experience. Boating, fishing, swimming, barbecues, fireworks,... 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