The Big Picture
Builders are offering serious perks to move new homes, especially quick move-in homes (QMIs) that are ready in 90 days or less.
Think: mortgage rate buydowns, closing cost help, free upgrades, and more.
By the Numbers
According to proprietary data from Zonda, parent company of NewHomeSource, 73.2% of QMI projects nationwide included incentives in February 2025.
Where the Deals Are
These markets are packed with perks for buyers:
Florida:
Each market also has higher levels of housing supply today than before the pandemic. As a result, builders have ramped up incentives to remain competitive.
Port St. Lucie, FL: 95.8% of QMI projects with incentives
Sarasota, FL: 93.6%
Jacksonville, FL: 93.2%
Texas:
San Antonio, TX: Over 90%
San Antonio is the lone Texas market to have more than 90% of projects offer QMI incentives. As a high production market with developable land, builders in San Antonio are motivated to work closely with buyers to maintain demand and prevent oversupply.
Mountain West:
Salt Lake City, UT & Denver, CO: Over 80%
Major markets in Utah and Colorado reported incentive shares of over 80%, reflecting the buyer-friendly climate in this region.
What You Could Get
Incentives vary but often include:
Mortgage rate buydowns
Closing cost coverage
Upgraded appliances or premium finishes
Design studio credits
Pro tip: For buyers, it pays to focus on QMIs; these are the homes builders are most motivated to sell and are the ones most likely to offer incentives.
Why It Matters
“We were consistently in a sellers’ market the past few years,” says Ali Wolf, chief economist for NewHomeSource.
“What that meant was as a buyer, you had to adhere to seller’s demands, no questions asked. If you didn’t buy the house, someone else would. Today, many housing markets have tilted in favor of the buyer. Whether you are buying a new home or a used one, make sure to negotiate.”
Reality Check
Big cities = fewer deals. Among markets tracked by Zonda, New York had the lowest share of incentives for QMIs at just 31.3%. Other large metros, including Miami (55.0%) and Houston (55.3%) also offered incentives at a level far below the national average. However, not all incentives are advertised publicly; some may be negotiated privately during the sales process.
However, fewer incentives do not necessarily mean less value. In high demand markets, incentives may be less necessary to close a sale. Buying in a strong market could still be worth it for a consumer, as the missed incentives could be offset by home price appreciation.
Bottom Line
If you’re shopping for a new home—especially a QMI—it’s a smart time to act. Know where to look, what to ask for, and don’t be shy about negotiating. Builders may be more flexible than you think.
