Why More Buyers Are Choosing New Construction Homes Right Now
If you’ve been house hunting lately, you might’ve noticed a growing trend — more buyers are choosing newly built homes. And it’s not just for the sleek modern designs or smart home features. Many buyers are realizing that they can actually get a better deal right now by going new. (see graph below)
Why Builders Are Sweetening the Deal
Here’s what’s happening: there are more newly built homes for sale today than there have been in years. That gives buyers two major advantages:
More choices on the market.
Motivated builders who are eager to move their inventory before starting new projects.
To make that happen, builders are offering serious perks — and buyers are taking notice.
Some of the most common incentives include:
Mortgage rate buydowns to reduce monthly payments
Price cuts that make homeownership more affordable
Help with closing costs or free upgrades on select homes
According to housing research firm Zonda, nearly 60% of new home communities are offering incentives for to-be-built homes, and over 75% are doing the same for quick move-ins (homes that are already completed and ready for you to move into).
As housing analyst Nick Gerli explains:
“Builders are adjusting to the realities of the current housing market. They’ve cut prices 13% from peak, and are giving generous mortgage rate buydowns on top of that.”
In other words — builders are motivated to sell, and that motivation could work to your advantage.
More New Homes to Choose From
The good news doesn’t stop there. There are more new construction homes available right now than there have been in years. Whether you want something turnkey and move-in ready or want to customize your dream build, you likely have more options than you think.
According to Census data, regions like the South and West are seeing the biggest surge in new homes — meaning builders in those areas are often more willing to negotiate on price or incentives.
But this window of opportunity won’t last forever. Builders have already started slowing down production to avoid having too much unsold inventory. As Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), puts it:
“The slowdown in single-family home building has narrowed the pipeline... This is the lowest level since early 2021 as builders pull back on supply.”
So while supply is still high and incentives are strong, now could be the best time in years to buy a new home.
The Bottom Line
With builders cutting prices, offering mortgage perks, and covering closing costs, buyers have more leverage than they’ve had in quite some time.
If you’ve been feeling priced out of the market, these builder incentives might be your opportunity to finally make the move. Let’s talk about what builders are offering in your area — and how you can take advantage of these incentives while they last.
