More Than Just a Mortgage

Edmond, OK • January 29, 2026

Having a Plan for Home Buying in 2026

In 2026, purchasing a home in Edmond is not about chasing the ideal interest rate or waiting for a significant shift in the market. It is about having a well-thought-out plan.

Today's buyers are navigating a market where interest rates are relatively stable, inventory is gradually improving, and negotiating power is shifting back to those who are prepared. The opportunity is real, but it does not favor hesitation. It rewards clarity, strategy, and readiness.

That is why partnering with the right mortgage advisor is more important than ever.

At NEO Home Loans, we believe a mortgage should be more than just a transaction. It should be a tool that helps you succeed today and builds financial momentum long after closing.

What It Takes to Succeed as a Buyer in 2026

The buyers who achieve success this year are not relying on luck or perfect timing. They are focusing on three key areas:

They understand their true buying power, act confidently when the right home appears, and structure offers that sellers trust. This level of success does not happen by chance; it is the result of thorough preparation.

At NEO, we approach preparation differently.

Beyond Pre-Approval: Achieving Real Readiness

In 2026, a basic pre-approval is no longer sufficient to stand out in Edmond.

At NEO, we begin preparation with clarity rather than paperwork. We help buyers go beyond surface-level estimates to truly understand how their down payment, loan structure, credit strategy, and monthly budget interconnect. Rather than guessing, you will see real scenarios and outcomes before submitting an offer.

For many buyers, this preparation includes getting fully underwritten early in the process. This reduces uncertainty for sellers and allows your offer to compete with stronger buyers, including cash offers.

The objective is simple. When the right home becomes available, you are ready to act without second-guessing.

Offer Strategy That Provides Leverage

Winning in 2026 is less about bidding wars and more about certainty.

Sellers are paying close attention to who can close smoothly, on time, and without surprises. NEO helps buyers structure offers that accomplish just that.

We collaborate closely with your real estate team to minimize friction, anticipate underwriting questions early, and eliminate unnecessary delays. This confidence often translates into negotiating power, even when your offer is not the highest.

In a market where desirable homes move quickly, certainty is key.

Guidance Through Smarter Opportunities

Prepared buyers in 2026 also have access to options that many overlook.

New construction is a prime example. Builders remain motivated and often offer incentives such as rate buydowns, closing cost credits, and flexible financing options. In some cases, new homes are now more affordable on a monthly basis than comparable resale properties.

At NEO, we assist buyers in evaluating these opportunities strategically rather than emotionally. We consider the total cost, long-term flexibility, and how each option aligns with your overall financial goals.

This is not about promoting a single path; it is about helping you choose the right one for your situation.

The NEO Way: Support Before, During, and After the Transaction

What truly sets NEO apart is that our relationship does not end at closing.

We call it The NEO Way, and it is designed to support you throughout the entire home-buying journey.

Before the transaction, we focus on discovery and planning. You gain clarity, confidence, and a strategy that fits your life, not just the current market.

During the transaction, our Perfect Loan Process ensures clear and consistent communication. You will always know what is happening, what comes next, and who is managing each step. Fewer surprises lead to smoother closings.

After the transaction, we maintain our connection through The NEO Experience. We assist you in managing your mortgage as an asset, monitoring equity growth, identifying savings opportunities, and planning future moves intentionally.

Most lenders focus on closing loans. We build long-term partnerships.

Technology That Works for You

NEO Home Loans utilizes innovative technology to enhance your experience, combining a user-friendly mortgage platform with the personal guidance of a trusted advisor.

This technology streamlines processes, allowing your advisor to focus on what truly matters: understanding your goals, guiding your decisions, and helping you stay ahead.

The outcome is a mortgage experience that is faster, simpler, and more transparent, without sacrificing the human touch.

Why "More Than Just a Mortgage" Matters in 2026

Purchasing a home is one of the most significant financial decisions you will ever make.

In 2026, the buyers who succeed are not just getting approved. They are making informed decisions, structuring smarter offers, and developing a plan that supports their future.

This is what "More Than Just a Mortgage" means at NEO.

It signifies preparation instead of pressure, strategy instead of guesswork, and a long-term plan instead of a one-time transaction.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If buying a home is part of your 2026 plan, the best time to prepare is before the market compels you to rush.

At NEO Home Loans, we help you get ready early so you can act confidently when the time is right.

We do not chase the market. We help you succeed within it.

What If Your Home Could Give You a $50,000 Raise Without Changing Jobs?

By Edmond, OK • January 29, 2026
That idea sounds bold, so let’s be clear from the start. This is not a promise. It is not a universal strategy. It is an example of how, for the right homeowner, restructuring debt can dramatically change monthly cash flow.

How to spot an underperforming rental in 30 seconds

By Will Koenig • December 10, 2025
Yet very few advisors have a consistent process for evaluating the performance of these assets. This gap is costing clients real money. The big “A-ha” for me was when I noticed that many of these clients are also business owners. Most have never done that math. They treat the rental as a harmless side asset, when in reality it's often trapped capital earning a mediocre return. Meanwhile, $200K deployed into hiring, equipment, marketing, or paying down business debt could generate far greater lift. Start asking your self-employed clients a simple question: If you could sell this rental and free up $200K to invest back into your business, what could you turn that into? That’s the point: shift the conversation from “Should we keep the rental?” to “Is this the highest and best use of your capital?” So, I’ve built a quick calculator to help you change that. https://service-5-quick-rental-analyzer-210772420114.us-west1.run.app/ It gives you a fast read on whether a client’s rental is actually performing or quietly dragging on their balance sheet. Think of it as an x-ray of an asset that gives you an advantage as a wholistic advisor. If a client has $100K of equity in a rental and $200K in investments, you’re only managing a third of their real wealth if you ignore the property. Use this tool during your annual reviews. Bring it into your planning process every time you see a Schedule E. Let it open the door to smarter discussions about efficiency, cash flow, tax treatment, and long-term strategy. I’m giving you early access because it will save you time, save your clients money, and elevate the quality of the conversations you’re having. If you want to walk through how to use it—or see how it fits into your current review process—reach out. Let’s raise the standard together. Save this link to the Schedule E Calculator: https://service-5-quick-rental-analyzer-210772420114.us-west1.run.app/

The Hidden Consequence of Cash Purchases

By Will Koenig • December 9, 2025
Did you know that if an investment property doesn’t have a mortgage in place within 90 days of closing, the ability to deduct mortgage interest disappears permanently?* Do you understand how placing a loan on a rental can raise returns? Many Real Estate investors don’t. And it quietly costs them. Here’s a client I helped this week: He found a turnkey Edmond rental for $105K, about $50K under market and already cash-flowing. His instinct: “Let’s pay cash and own it outright.” Familiar thinking. But once we thought through the tradeoffs, a different picture emerged. Scenario A: Pay Cash Capital in: $105K Cash flow: about $1,000/mo Cash-on-cash: 11% What he gives up: • Liquidity. Every dollar is locked in one asset. • Mortgage-interest deductibility after the 90-day window. This is a permanent loss for the lifetime the property is owned.* • This means higher taxable rental income for the life of the property. • Leverage, which is the main engine behind real estate’s superior returns. Scenario B: Finance It Capital in: about $30K Loan: $75K Cash flow: about $500/mo Cash-on-cash: 28% What he gains: • $75K of available capital for additional opportunities. • Thirty years of deductible interest. • The same appreciation, tenant, and operating profile. • A stronger overall return with far better flexibility. Why this matters: Same property. Same rent. At the end of the day, the property wasn’t the biggest win. The financing structure was. The funding choice determines its investment performance. And these same principles apply to Real Estate investments regardless of the price or location. Which leads to the question I now ask every investor who wants to pay cash: “If you owned this property free and clear, would you borrow $75K against it to buy more discounted rentals?” What would it do for you and your clients if someone could help optimize their Real Estate investments while you focus on AUM? Think of it as a free tune-up for RE investments. *The 90-Day Rule If a loan isn’t in place within 90 days of closing, mortgage interest on that property will never be deductible. A later refinance doesn’t fix it. Few investors know this, and the tax cost compounds for decades.

Is that rental property truly an asset or a drag on returns?

By Will Koenig • November 24, 2025
I often meet clients with a rental property that’s physically managed (checking pipes during freezes, etc.) But it’s not being financially managed. It’s usually a decent home they once lived in and decided to keep as a rental. Meanwhile, property taxes and insurance have crept up. Maintenance costs have risen, and yet… they’re still hanging on for a few hundred dollars a month of “tax-free” cash flow. When we run the numbers, many of these properties are sitting on $100K+ of trapped equity. Illiquid wealth that often underperforms a simple index fund. That’s why I built a quick, two-minute calculator to help answer the question: “What is this investment property really doing for me?” It’s designed to give you and your client clarity around whether it makes sense to: • Trade up via a 1031 exchange • Sell and redeploy that capital for higher returns • Or tap the equity for greater leverage and returns I’m currently building out a full suite of tools like this. If you’d like early access, just reach out and I’ll make sure you’re first in line.