If you have been thinking about buying a newly built home, this moment deserves a serious look. New construction is delivering something buyers have not felt in a while: real choice and real negotiating power. There are more brand-new homes available right now, and builders are offering incentives that can make a big difference in both your upfront costs and your monthly payment.
That mix of supply plus savings does not happen often. Here is why the current window could be one of the strongest opportunities in years to buy a new build and why having your own local agent by your side matters more than ever.
1. More New Homes Are Available Right Now and That May Not Last
Across many markets, buyers are seeing an unusually wide range of new homes for sale. That means:
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More communities to tour
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More move-in-ready inventory
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More floor plans to compare
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More modern features and upgraded finishes
In short, you have options. And that alone is a big deal in a market where choice has felt limited.
But here is the catch. Even though new builds seem to be everywhere, builders are quietly slowing down future supply.
The first chart shows total housing starts each year. You can see a steady decline from 2022 through 2024, and projections suggest that trend is likely to continue into 2025 and 2026. In plain terms, builders are breaking ground on fewer homes.
Why does that matter to you as a buyer? Because housing starts are tomorrow’s inventory. When builders pull back now, the number of fresh, newly built options down the road becomes smaller.
So the selection you are seeing today may be one of the widest pools of new construction choices you will have for a while.
There is another signal in the market, too. Redfin reports that about 27 percent of homes for sale today are new builds, roughly 1 in 3 listings. That is higher than what buyers typically see in a normal market, yet it is also the lowest share in four years. Put those two facts together and the takeaway is clear: the current supply is meaningful, but the pipeline is cooling.
If your goal is to have more choices, more styles, and more communities to consider, buying sooner rather than later may give you an advantage.
2. Builder Incentives Just Hit an All Time High
The second reason this moment stands out is what builders are doing to sell the homes they already have.
When builders see inventory on the market and fewer starts in the pipeline, their focus shifts from adding more supply to moving what is available. That is where incentives come in.
Right now, builders are offering perks at levels not seen in years, and many of those perks directly help affordability. Buyers are commonly seeing:
Price reductions
Builders are lowering prices to stay competitive and attract serious buyers.
Closing cost help
Some are covering thousands of dollars in fees, which reduces the cash you need at the closing table.
Upgrade packages
Think premium countertops, upgraded flooring, appliance bundles, or design finishes included without extra cost.
Mortgage rate buydowns
This is a major one. Builders may pay to lower your mortgage rate, which can drop your monthly payment and make qualifying easier.
The second chart drives this home. It shows the percentage of builders cutting prices each month, and the latest reading is the highest of the post pandemic period. In November, 41 percent of builders reported cutting prices. At the same time, the National Association of Homebuilders says roughly 65 percent of builders are using some form of sales incentive.
That is not a small bump. It is a strong sign of how willing builders are to negotiate.
One more detail matters here. Incentives often ease earlier in the year as demand rises going into spring. So buyers who shop and negotiate now may get more concessions than those who wait until competition heats up.
More options plus better incentives equals a combination that is hard to ignore.
Why Your Own Agent Makes This Even Better
When you walk into a new construction community, you will usually meet the builder’s representative first. That person can be helpful, but they work for the builder, not for you.
Having your own agent gives you a professional who is focused on your interests, your budget, and your long term goals. Your agent can help you:
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Compare builders and communities objectively
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Understand which incentives are truly valuable
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Negotiate price and terms more effectively
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Catch contract details that could cost you later
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Coordinate inspections, timelines, and walk throughs
When incentives are high and inventory is strong, strategy matters. A good agent helps you separate marketing from real value and makes sure you are not leaving money on the table.
The Big Picture
This season is giving buyers two things they rarely get at the same time.
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A larger selection of brand new homes to choose from
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A market where builders are highly motivated to make deals
Builders are slowing future construction, which suggests today’s selection may not stick around. At the same time, incentives and price cuts are at record highs, creating a negotiation window that favors buyers.
If a newly built home is on your wish list, this could be your chance to find the right fit and secure savings that may not be available once the spring market picks up.
Bottom Line
With builders offering generous incentives and a wider than usual selection of new homes for sale, buyers may be looking at one of the best times in years to purchase a new build.
If you want to explore what is available and which incentives offer the most value, talk with a trusted local real estate agent. Having your own advocate in a builder focused market can make the process smoother, clearer, and more financially rewarding.
If you could get a brand new home for less than you might expect, would you want to see what is possible right now?
Annie & Kevin Rocks | Rocks Realty
Annie: 727-777-3264
Kevin: 727-389-6453
