Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

A white house with a black roof and a driveway. The house is large and has a lot of windows.

Builder Incentives Reach 5-Year High

New Construction Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group September 17, 2025

Even with more homes on the market right now, some buyers are still having a tough time finding the right one at the right price. Maybe the layout feels off. Maybe it still needs some updating. Or maybe it’s just more of the same.

That’s why more buyers are turning to new construction – and finding some of the best deals available today.

Why? Today, many builders have more homes that are finished and sitting on the market than normal. And that means they’re motivated to sell. They’re running a business, and they don’t want to sit on their inventory. They want to sell it before they build more homes. And that can definitely work in your favor.

As Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub, puts it:

“In housing markets where unsold completed inventory has built up, many homebuilders have pulled back on their spec builds—and many are doing bigger incentives or outright price cuts to move unsold inventory.”

Incentives Are the Highest They’ve Been in 5 Years

Data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows 66% of builders offered sales incentives in August. That’s the peak so far this year, and the highest percentage we’ve seen in 5 years.

a graph of blue rectangular bars with numbersThat means 2 out of every 3 builders are offering something extra to get deals done. And when builders throw in incentives, it’s the buyers like you who win.

Price Cuts Are Back on the Table

One of the most common incentives they’re offering right now is adjusting the price. According to NAHB, almost 40% of builders are doing price cuts (see graph below):

On average they’re taking off about 5% off the purchase price of the house. For a buyer, 5% could be the difference between reluctantly settling and finally getting a home that works for you.

Take a $500,000 house as an example. If builders reduce the price by 5%, you’re saving $25,000.

And even if the builder you’re interested in won’t budge on price, they’ve got plenty of other levers to pull. As Realtor.com explains: 

“. . . there are deals to be found in the market for new homes, with builders increasingly willing to negotiate on price or offer incentives such as rate buydowns and closing cost assistance.”

Why This Matters for You

As a buyer, you probably have a clear vision for your ideal home. Because you’re not just buying any house. You’re buying your house. The one with the space, features, and lifestyle you’ve been hoping for. New builds can check those boxes since they usually have: 

  • Bigger kitchens and open layouts
  • Energy efficiency (hello lower utility bills)
  • Smart-home upgrades
  • Fewer repair headaches on day one

And today’s incentives make buying a new home more attainable than it's been in years.

One Word of Advice: Don’t Go At It Alone

If you want to take advantage of this opportunity, just be sure to use your own agent. Builder reps aren’t there to save you money. They protect the builder’s bottom line. That’s why you need to bring your agent with you. Your agent will:

  • Cut through the sales pitch and run the cold hard numbers
  • Spot which incentives are actually worth it (and which ones are fluff)
  • Handle negotiations so you walk away with the best deal possible
  • Keep your best interest as their top priority

Bottom Line

If you're not finding a home you love, the new home market is buzzing with opportunity. With record-high incentives, price cuts in play, and builders itching to move inventory, this is the best time in years to buy new construction.

Curious how far today’s incentives could stretch your budget? Let’s connect so you can see what builders are offering in our area.

This blog post previously appeared on https://www.simplifyingthemarket.com/en/2025/09/04/builder-incentives-reach-5-year-high?a=106260-312309902871c1f0d820820f58bf8fde. The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. and the Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Keeping Current Matters, Inc. and the Laura Miller Edwards Realty Group will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.

Recent Blog Posts

Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.

For Buyers

Why October Is the Best Time To Buy a Home in 2025

This October will have the most buyer-friendly conditions of any month in 2025

Selling Tips

Why Now May Be a Key 2025 Moment To Sell Your House

If you’re thinking about selling, this may be your chance to get ahead.

A white house with a black roof and a driveway. The house is large and has a lot of windows.

For Buyers

Builder Incentives Reach 5-Year High

If you're not finding a home you love, the new home market is buzzing with opportunity.

Mortgage Rates

Mortgage Rates Just Saw Their Biggest Drop in a Year

This is the shift you’ve been waiting for.

Agent Value

Thinking About Renting Your House Instead of Selling? Read This First.

If your house is on the market but you haven’t gotten any offers you’re comfortable with, you may be wondering: what do I do if it doesn’t sell?

A modern kitchen with dark cabinets, marble countertops, open shelves, and a stainless steel stove beneath pendant lights.

First Time Home Buyers

From Frenzy to Breathing Room: Buyers Finally Have Time Again

Today’s market is moving slower, in the best possible way. And that’s creating more opportunity for buyers who felt shut out in recent years.

For Sellers

Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year High

One of the clearest ways to measure what people are thinking about is to look at what they’re searching for online.

Selling Tips

The 3 Things You Risk by Pricing Too High

When selling your house, the price you choose isn’t just a number, it's a strategy. And in today’s market, that strategy needs to be sharp.

Buying Tips

What Credit Score Do You Really Need To Buy a Home?

Your credit score doesn’t have to be perfect to qualify for a home loan.

Work With Us

Get assistance in determining current property value, crafting a competitive offer, writing and negotiating a contract, and much more. Contact us today.