Heath Riddle - Mortgage Advisor - 1340223

Buying a home is not just about where you live.

For many people, it can also be one of the earliest ways to start building long-term wealth.

Data continues to show that buying earlier in life can create a stronger financial advantage over time, while waiting often makes that wealth gap harder to close.

Whether you are planning to buy your first home now or just getting your strategy in place, understanding the long-term impact of homeownership can help you make more confident decisions for your future.
NEO Home Loans is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

Seller concessions are back... and in today’s market, they can be the difference between “we can’t” and “we can.”

If you’re buying a home right now, you don’t just negotiate price.
You negotiate terms.

A seller concession is when the seller contributes toward certain buyer costs at closing. That can help you:

1. Keep more of your savings (instead of draining your account on closing day)
2. Lower your cash-to-close (often the real barrier, not the monthly payment)
3. Make your offer stronger without playing the “highest price wins” game

How to use this strategically (quick rule of thumb):

- If the home has been sitting longer than expected, concessions are often easier to ask for.
- If you’re up against a payment ceiling, concessions may help you structure the deal more comfortably.
- If you’re a first-time buyer, preserving savings matters because homeownership comes with first-year surprises.

Share this with someone you know who wants to buy a home in 2026!

5.0 star review received on Experience.com for Heath Riddle by Arden M - Outstanding team to work with! Everyone was really friendly, quick to respond, and very helpful.

New ★★★★★ 5 Star Experience.com Review by Arden M Click to see all 451 reviews of Heath Riddle, NEO Powered by Better

Big housing bill headlines are everywhere. Here’s the simple version. ✅

Congress passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in the House on May 20, 2026. Before it changes anything, it still has to clear the final steps and then get implemented.

What it does not do:
🚫 It does not lower rates, drop prices, or instantly add a bunch of homes to the market.

What buyers should watch instead:
1. FHA updates for manufactured homes
2. A path that can help fund ADU projects
3. Possible changes that could make mortgages under $100K easier to get over time

If you’re buying this summer, your biggest drivers are still your credit, down payment plan, debt-to-income, and when you lock.

Most people think the mortgage process starts with an application and ends at closing.

At NEO, we see it differently.

Before you write an offer, we help you understand your goals, your options, and the strategy behind the numbers.

During the transaction, we focus on communication, clarity, and ex*****on so you are not left guessing what happens next.

After closing, we stay connected because becoming a homeowner is not the finish line. It is the beginning of a much bigger financial journey.

That is the difference between getting a loan and having a mortgage strategy.

If you are thinking about buying, moving, refinancing, or using your home equity more intentionally, the first step is not a quote. It is a conversation.

We’re ready when you are. ✅

A new month is a great time to check in on more than your calendar.

If you own a home, June is a smart month to look at the small things that can protect your home, your budget, and your long-term financial goals.

Start simple:

✅ Review your maintenance needs.
✅ Check your insurance coverage.
✅ Look at your monthly housing costs.
✅ Update your home documents.
✅ Revisit your equity and future real estate goals.

Because becoming a homeowner is not just about getting the keys.

It is about learning how to manage, protect, and grow one of the most important assets in your life.

At NEO, our goal is to help clients become successful homeowners, not just closed borrowers.

If you need access to cash quickly, a 401(k) withdrawal might seem like the easiest move… but for homeowners… is this your most cost effective option? 🤔

Taxes, penalties, and lost retirement growth can make that short-term fix much more expensive over time.

That’s why it can be helpful to compare the full picture using DATA, including whether a home equity loan or HELOC may be worth exploring, too.

In today’s post, we break down:
• what a 401(k) hardship withdrawal can really cost
• how home equity options work
• when home equity may make sense, and when it may not

So - before you tap your 401(k), compare the real cost with your local NEO mortgage expert (visit NEOHomeLoans.com to find yours).

We help homeowners compare the total cost so they can make more informed, and confident decisions for THEM!

*Educational content only. Loan options, qualification, terms, and timelines vary.

On Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Their courage deserves more than a passing mention.

It deserves our remembrance, our respect, and our gratitude.
May we live in a way that honors what they gave.