The Porch

The Keys to Homeownership

Background with awesome gradient

Latest Articles

Lifestyle

How to Protect Your Home in Ice-Cold Temperatures

As winter quickly approaches, many homeowners start thinking about cozy fires, snow-covered rooftops, and hot cocoa. But before you get too...

Read more
A woman wearing jeans and a tan trench coat walks with her back to the camera, holding three shopping bags per hand. In the background, a mall is decorated with twinkle lights for the holidays.
Lifestyle

Holiday Budgeting: How to Survive a Season of Consumerism

Happy Thanksgiving! From everyone here at Ruoff Mortgage, we hope you had a great day. Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, many of us...

Read more
An overhead shot of a kitchen table set for Thanksgiving dinner and six place settings indicates that a meal is to begin soon.
Lifestyle

Hosting Thanksgiving: Tips for Homeowners

Hosting Thanksgiving can be a very exciting, yet very overwhelming task. From making sure you have enough space for everyone, enough food...

Read more
A group of immediate and extended family gather in a living room, some standing, some sitting and smiling with their arms around each other at the dining table. On the dining table, a Thanksgiving meal is set.
Lifestyle

Grateful for Home During the Holidays

The holidays are a time of reflection and reconnection. The holidays are also often a time when many of us realize just how much our home...

Read more
A cozy Halloween movie night setup with a glowing jack-o’-lantern pumpkin bowl filled with popcorn, surrounded by scattered popcorn, a TV remote, and 3D glasses on a couch. In the background, orange fairy lights and another carved pumpkin create a festive, spooky atmosphere while a scary face is displayed on the TV screen.
Lifestyle

Hosting the Perfect Fall Gathering at Home

School is officially in full swing, Halloween is looming right around the corner, and the holiday season is sooner than you think. Before...

Read more
Two young children sit on large pumpkins in a sunny outdoor setting. One child, holding a smaller pumpkin in her lap, looks at the other, who is smiling and touching a pumpkin in front of her. Both wear casual clothes, and a pair of red rain boots is placed on the grass nearby. The background shows greenery and soft golden light, giving a warm autumn feel.
Lifestyle

S’mores, Sweaters, and Scenic Drives: Your Fall Bucket List Starts Here

Fall in love with the season – one cozy, colorful, pumpkin-filled adventure at a time.

Read more
Modern living room with a neutral color palette, featuring a large white sectional sofa with multiple white pillows, a wooden coffee table with decorative items, and two matching floor lamps on either side. The back wall is painted in a warm taupe shade and adorned with a large abstract painting in beige, brown, and black tones. Light wood flooring and natural daylight from a large window complete the cozy, contemporary space.
Lifestyle

How to Incorporate the 2025 Pantone Color of the Year into Your Home

If you haven’t already heard, Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025 is PANTONE 17-1230 “Mocha Mousse” – a rich, warm brown tone inspired by...

Read more
Lifestyle

If you have pets, do not buy these houseplants for your home

We all love our pets, and our plants. During the warmer months, you may be updating your landscaping, planting new plants, or even getting...

Read more
Lifestyle

Energy-saving tips for staying cool in summer

Keep your home comfortable without breaking the bank – or the planet.

Read more
Dog looking directly at camera, wearing a patriotic bandana. In the background, there is a patriotic party set up and fireworks going off.
Lifestyle

Helping pets who are scared of fireworks this Independence Day

While fireworks are a staple of Independence Day, they can be traumatizing for our furry friends – including dogs, cats, horses, birds, and...

Read more