Why Right Now Might Be the Sweet Spot for Buying a New-Construction Home
New construction is finally giving buyers something they haven’t seen in a while: a genuine chance to get the home they want and a deal that actually works for their budget. Inventory of brand-new homes is up, and builders are offering attractive incentives that make these properties far more affordable than many buyers realize.
It’s a rare mix—and it’s putting buyers in an unusually strong position this season. Here’s why this moment stands out and why teaming up with a local agent can help you make the most of it.
1. There Are More New Homes on the Market Right Now — but the Window May Be Closing
Inventory of new construction is higher than usual at the moment, giving buyers access to:
More newly developed communities
More move-in-ready homes
More floor plan options
More upgraded, modern features
But this level of variety may be temporary.
According to data from Zonda, even though it might seem like new homes are going up everywhere, builders have actually started to scale back. Housing starts — the point when construction officially begins — have been gradually declining for the past few years. This helps prevent oversupply across the country.
Here’s the key takeaway for buyers: projections show that this subtle downward trend is expected to continue next year (see graph below), which means the abundance of options you’re seeing now may not stick around.
This tells us that the new-construction inventory available right now may be the most extensive selection you’ll see for some time.
According to Redfin, about 1 in 3 homes on the market today (27%) are new builds. While that’s above the long-term average, it’s actually the lowest share we’ve seen in four years — which lines up with the trend shown in the graph.
So, if having more choices matters to you, this is the moment to explore what’s out there.
As for why builders are dialing things back, the reason is straightforward: with an already elevated number of new homes on the market, they’re prioritizing selling through existing inventory rather than adding even more. And that leads directly into the next point.
2. Builder Incentives Just Hit an All-Time High
Builders are making the market even more favorable for buyers right now. To keep their current inventory moving, many are rolling out incentives we haven’t seen at this level in years — and a lot of these benefits directly improve affordability. Today’s buyers are seeing things like:
Price Reductions: Many builders are lowering listing prices on brand-new homes to attract more interest.
Closing Cost Assistance: Some are covering significant portions of the upfront fees, easing the cash needed to close.
Included Upgrades: Premium finishes, appliance packages, and design enhancements are often being added at no additional cost.
Mortgage Rate Buydowns: Builders may pay to temporarily or permanently reduce your interest rate, bringing your monthly payment down and making the home more budget-friendly.
And these aren’t rare perks reserved for a lucky few. Most builders are offering incentives in some form. In fact, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that 65% of builders are currently using sales incentives, and:
“. . . 41% of builders reported cutting prices in November, a record high in the post-Covid period and the first time this measure has passed 40%.”
That’s a major advantage for buyers — it highlights just how flexible builders are willing to be right now.
And take a look at the trend: incentives usually taper off early in the year as buyer activity picks up heading into spring. In other words, acting sooner rather than later could give you access to the best selection and the strongest deals.
With the right agent guiding you and a clear sense of what to negotiate for, you could secure some of the most attractive builder perks we’ve seen in years. And when every dollar matters, those incentives can make a real impact on your bottom line.
More choices and more savings make this an opportunity that’s hard to ignore.
Bottom Line
With so many builders rolling out strong incentives and a larger-than-usual selection of new homes on the market, buyers may be walking into one of the most favorable moments in years to purchase new construction.
If you’re curious about which neighborhoods, builders, or incentive packages offer the strongest value right now, reach out to a trusted local agent. Having your own representation — not the builder’s onsite agent — gives you an advantage throughout the process, from comparing options to negotiating the final deal.
And here’s the real question: if getting a brand-new home ended up costing less than you expected, would you want to take a look?
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is based on the latest available data at the time of writing, which is subject to change. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or investment advice.