Additional reporting by Michael Letendre.
From high prices and elevated interest rates to general economic uncertainty, the backdrop for the 2025 housing market has been a challenging one. For buyers, affordability conditions have improved little during the year despite the strong desire for homeownership.
In the new home market, however, builders have responded with a growing array of incentives to help hesitant buyers move forward.
These incentives can:
Reduce monthly payments (through mortgage rate buydowns) Lower upfront cost (through price concessions or closing cost assistance)
Lower upfront cost (through price concessions or closing cost assistance)
Add value (through design upgrades and premium finishes)
While builders ramped up promotions in the summer and fall months, the push to move inventory and meet annual targets means buyers can find great year-end deals through the end of 2025.
From coast-to-coast, incentives are popping up across the NewHomeSource database. Below are some of the best deals available for buyers in today’s market.
Atlanta
From use-it-your-way flex cash to rate buydowns, shoppers in the Atlanta area have ample options for incentivized purchases through the end of the year.
Beazer Homes is offering a “$35K to Spend Your Way” incentive for to-be-built homes while Ashton Woods is offering buyers flex cash of $60,000 in its East Harbor II at Chestatee community. Davidson Homes is offering a zero down payment program for buyers with a minimum of 600 credit score.
Smith Douglas Homes is offering buyers a 3.99% 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgage with $0 closing costs for quick-move in homes while Taylor Morrison is offering a limited-time rate for Atlanta buyers for purchases made through November 30.
Century Communities’ Purple Tag Sale Campaign—available in the builder’s markets across the country—is offering buyers special prices for listings with “888” at the end of home prices. Atlanta buyers for Century Communities can also receive up to $100,000 in total incentives toward discounts, closing costs, and/or rate specials.
Austin
Rate buydowns are the prevailing incentive for buyers in the greater Austin market.
Richmond American Homes will buy rates down to 4.99%, Taylor Morrison will buy rates down to 4.75%, Drees Homes is offering a 4.875% rate as part of its Holiday Home Sale, and David Weekley Homes is buying down rates to 2.99% and offering up to 10% off a home’s base price. Tri Pointe Homes is offering rates as low as 4.99% plus paid closing costs on select homes while Ashton Woods is offering a 1% below-market rate and up to $70,000 in savings on select homesites in the metro.
Brookfield Residential is offering $75,000 in flex cash on select move-in ready homes in Austin.
For buyers in Austin, M/I Homes is offering a first-year rate as low as 1.875% (4.9249% APR) and a special offer for home buyers looking to sell their previous home. As part of the builder’s Home-To-Sell program in Austin, sellers can offer buyers 2% off the home’s sales price if they enter purchasing agreement with M/I Homes.
Charlotte
Charlotte buyers have a wide range of incentives this season, from rate buydowns to flex cash, reduced closing costs, and special appreciation programs for local workers.
Empire Homes is offering buyers up to $30,000 in total savings, including up to $25,000 in design options or flex cash on inventory homes, plus an additional $5,000 in closing costs with a preferred lender. At its Caswell community, Empire is offering up to $23,000 in flex cash, which buyers can use toward appliances, blinds, closing costs, or rate buydowns.
Taylor Morrison is offering Charlotte-area home shoppers a 4.99% (5.07% APR) 30-year fixed rate through November 30.
Profile Homes is running its “Hometown Hero” program, giving teachers, first responders, medical professionals, armed service members, and veterans an extra $1,000 toward options or closing costs through January 1.
M/I Homes has several incentives active in Charlotte:
A 5.875% (5.9662% APR) fixed rate for investment homes, available through December 8.
In other Charlotte communities, M/I is offering Holiday mortgage incentives that can bring first-year rates as low as 2.875% with a 2/1 buydown.
Epcon Communities is offering a 4.5% interest rate for a limited time on its single-level homes designed for low-maintenance living.
David Weekley Homes is contributing 1% toward closing costs for Charlotte buyers through January 1.
West Homes is offering no closing costs plus a special rate buydown on contracts signed by November 30.
Dallas
Tri Pointe Homes is offering buyers a special rate as low as 1.99% (5.512% APR) with a seven-year adjustable rate mortgage and 3/2/1 buydown financing.
Beazer Homes is offering a 1.99% first-year rate on select homes, Drees Homes is offering a rate buydown to 4.87%, and Ashton Woods is offering a 3.49% fixed rate, $5,000 toward closing costs, and up to $60,000 in price reductions in Dallas.
David Weekley Homes is offering Dallas buyers up to $25,000 in financing incentives and mortgage rates at 4.99% for move-in ready homes purchased through December 1.
M/I Homes is offering a limited-time 2/1 rate buydown with a first-year rate as low as 2.875%. This offer from M/I Homes also includes savings of up to $50,000 on base pricing, a stainless steel appliance package, free blinds, and up to $15,000 in paid closing costs.
Mattamy Homes is offering a 7/6 adjustable-rate mortgage for homes in Dallas as well as design options for its Dallas communities. Buyers in the builder’s Valencia on the Lake and Villages of Creekwood communities can receive up to $20,000 in design options while nine Mattamy communities in Dallas are offering up to $15,000 in design options.
Davidson Homes is offering Dallas buyers 6% in flex cash as well as an appliance package and blinds with a purchase for a limited time.
Houston
Buyers in Houston can receive flex cash of $15,000 (from K Hovnanian Homes), $20,000 (from D.R. Horton and Beazer Homes), or $29,000 (from Davidson Homes) on select inventory and to-be-built homes.
David Weekley Homes and Smith Douglas Homes are offering buyers starting rates as low as 3.99%. Taylor Morrison is offering buyers a 7/6 adjustable-rate mortgage with a starting rate of 3.75% for the first seven years of the loan for purchases through November 30; beginning in year 8, the rate will adjust every six months based on market changes.
As part of its Fueling the Future promotion, Houston energy workers are eligible for $2,500 in design center credits for purchases with Drees Homes. DRB Homes is offering up to $20,000 in flex cash or QMI rates as low as 2.99% (5.883% APR). As part of its Doorbusters Deals promotion, M/I Homes is offering Houston buyers a first-year rate as low as 1.875%.
Orlando
Orlando buyers have access to some of the most aggressive year-end incentives in the country, with builders offering rate buydowns, large flex-cash packages, and deep savings on quick move-in homes through December.
Mattamy Homes is running its Home for the Holidays Sales Event, giving Orlando buyers up to 6% in incentives when using the builder’s preferred lender or half-off designer options—up to $40,000 for build-to-order homes. Select homes also feature special pricing and recently reduced inventory.
Richmond American Homes is offering Orlando shoppers a mix of rate specials and flex funds, including rates as low as 4.5% (5.233% APR) on FHA products and up to $35,000 in Flex Funds on select homes. Buyers can also choose from several conventional and VA rate promotions available through the end of the year.
M/I Homes is promoting a strong year-end push, including first-year rates as low as 1.875% with a temporary 3/2/1 buydown on select homes and special incentives on quick move-in homes that close by December 31, 2025. Buyers may also qualify for flex cash, design savings, or closing cost assistance depending on the home.
Maronda Homes is offering rate buydowns and flexible incentives—including flex cash and closing cost assistance—across multiple Orlando-area communities. Rate buydowns are available on select homes through December 31.
David Weekley Homes has several overlapping Orlando promotions:
A “Hometown Heroes” incentive providing $2,000 in Flex Dollars for teachers, first responders, medical professionals, military personnel, and veterans (valid through Jan. 1, 2026).
Seasonal savings of up to $60,000 on select homes through Dec. 1, 2025.
Additional flex-dollar incentives and discounts on inventory homes in communities across the metro.
Taylor Morrison is offering Orlando buyers a 1% below-market rate through its Buy Build Flex program for homes that close at a later date. This limited-time rate incentive is available through November 30.
Trinity Family Builders is running a Blue Ribbon Sales Event, with interest rates as low as 4.99%, up to $35,000 in flex cash, paid closing costs, and up to $50,000 in total savings on select quick move-in homes.
DRB Homes is offering Orlando shoppers up to $15,000 in closing costs on select quick move-in homes at Cyrene at Harmony and up to $20,000 in closing costs at Trailside in Mount Dora. These incentives run through January 1, 2026.
K. Hovnanian Homes is offering up to $40,000 in flex cash on homes sold and closed by Dec. 31, 2025, along with additional community-specific incentives available for a limited time.
LGI Homes is promoting year-end savings across Orlando communities, including up to $50,000 off select move-in ready homes plus paid closing costs and special financing options.
Beazer Homes is offering buyers $50,000 to “Spend Your Way” at Estates at Lake Jesup, which can be used for design upgrades, financing assistance, or closing costs.
Starlight Homes is offering a reduced 1.99% first-year interest rate for buyers, dramatically lowering early monthly payments. This promotion runs for a limited time and applies to select Orlando-area homes.
Raleigh
Raleigh buyers have access to an unusually wide mix of rate buydowns, flex-cash incentives, free move-in packages, and hometown-hero bonuses as builders push to close out the year.
DRB Homes is offering one of the region’s biggest savings packages: up to $20,000 in Flex Cash that buyers can apply to rate buydowns, closing costs, or design upgrades. This year-end incentive is available through December 31, 2025 across multiple Raleigh communities.
Davidson Homes is promoting multiple incentives in the Triangle. In addition to its 2025 Realtor Rewards Program—offering up to 3.5% commission and $1,500 bonuses—the builder is running an Early Black Friday promotion with fixed rates as low as 3.99% (4.814% APR) on select homes. Buyers can also receive appliance packages, flex cash, or closing-cost support depending on the property.
Beazer Homes is providing buyers $10,000 in closing costs that can be used to secure a first-year interest rate of 4.25% with a preferred lender.
M/I Homes has two major promotions active in the Raleigh market:
Holiday of Homes: includes a free move-in package (washer/dryer, refrigerator, and blinds) plus first-year rates as low as 2.875% (4.9112% APR) with a 2/1 buydown on conventional loans.
Investment Property Special: 5.875% rate / 5.9134% APR on second homes and investment properties for contracts signed through Dec. 15, 2025.
Mattamy Homes is offering year-end savings through its Home for the Holidays sale, including a 3.75% (5.577% APR) 7/6 ARM on select quick move-in homes or half-off design options on to-be-built homes. Mattamy is also providing a $2,000 incentive for Hometown Heroes, including teachers, first responders, medical personnel, and military members.
Drees Homes is offering multiple holiday mortgage incentives:
For quick move-in homes, buyers can secure first-year rates starting at 4.125% (6.227% APR) with a temporary 2/1 buydown when they purchase by November 30 and close by December 31, 2025.
For to-be-built homes, buyers can save 1% off their interest rate for a limited time.
Chesapeake Homes is providing hometown heroes—teachers, first responders, military members, and medical professionals—$1,000 in free design options on new homes purchased in the Raleigh area.
Brookfield Residential is offering buyers rates as low as 2.99% or up to $5,000 in Flex Cash at its Townhomes at Wendell Falls community. This incentive runs through December 15, 2025.
Pulte Homes is offering a $2,000 Hometown Heroes incentive for teachers, nurses, EMS workers, firefighters, police, and active or retired military members.
Del Webb is offering its own $2,000 Hometown Heroes incentive for qualifying buyers in the Raleigh market.
LGI Homes is promoting sizable year-end savings of up to $50,000 on select move-in ready homes, including price reductions, paid closing costs, and special financing options.
Starlight Homes is offering buyers a 1.99% first-year interest rate, helping lower early monthly payments on qualifying Raleigh-area homes.
Caviness & Cates is offering no closing costs on select quick move-in homes when buyers use the preferred lender and close by November 30, 2025.
Great Southern Homes has multiple incentives active, including:
A 4.49% first-year rate (5.49% for years 2–30) plus $5,000 in closing costs, or
$15,000 in “Mad Money” to use toward upgrades and options.
These incentives run through December 18, 2025.
San Antonio
In San Antonio, Pulte Homes is offering a FHA 30-year fixed rate mortgage at just 3.99% (4.739% APR) and pricing discounts on select quick move-in (QMI) homes while Drees Homes is buying rates down to 4.875% for purchases through November 30.
David Weekley Homes is offering buyers rates as low as 5.49% on conventional loans and 4.99% on FHA or VA loans plus a 2% contribution toward closing costs. In Ashton Woods’ Vista Ridge community in San Antonio, buyers can secure a 3.99% (4.92% APR) rate with up to $7,000 in closing cost assistance.
Davidson Homes is offering buyers closing cost assistance (6% on QMIs and 4% on to-be-built homes) plus an appliance package for QMI homes, a half-off design package for to-be-built homes, or 50% off lot premiums.
For buyers who close by December 31 with M/I Homes, they can receive a first-year rate as low as 1.875% as part of the builder’s 3/2/1 buydown and receive $6,000 toward closing costs. On to-be-built homes closed by the end of 2025, buyers can receive either $7,500 in paid closing costs, half-off lot premiums, and a free covered patio or half-off design options and lot premiums depending on the home.
Washington, D.C. Area
Year-end incentives in the D.C. area are among the strongest in the country, with builders offering rate buydowns, substantial closing-cost assistance, hometown-hero programs, and limited-time savings across Northern Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia.
Maronda Homes is offering rate buydowns plus additional incentives such as flex cash and closing cost assistance on select homes. These savings run through December 31, 2025, and apply across several D.C.-area communities, including Riverbend Estates and Huntwell West.
Drees Homes has extended its Holiday Home Sale, allowing buyers to secure below-market rates starting at 3.375% (6.18% APR) with a 2/1 buydown when using First Equity Mortgage. This offer appears across multiple D.C.-area communities, and runs through November 30, 2025.
Richmond American Homes is running its Finish Line Savings Event, offering buyers a 5/1 ARM with payments based on an initial rate of 3.750% (5.467% APR FHA; 5.081% APR VA) for the first 60 months. Additional Northern Virginia financing specials include:
3.999% (4.726% APR) 30-year fixed (Conventional)
4.999% (5.737% APR) 30-year fixed
4.500% (4.621% APR) 30-year fixed
5.375% (5.508% APR) 30-year fixed
Buyers can also choose incentives such as closing-cost credits and design upgrades on select homes. Promotions are available for contracts signed through November 23, 2025, closing by December 31, 2025.
Van Metre Homes is offering up to $20,000 in closing-cost assistance when buyers use Intercoastal Mortgage and Walker Title. This incentive applies to communities such as Heritage at Marshall and West Park III and runs through December 23, 2025.
At South Brook, DRB Homes is offering a $1 contract deposit plus up to $15,000 in closing costs on select quick move-in homes for buyers who close by December 31, 2025.
DRB Elevate is offering up to $35,000 in Flex Cash at Victoria Park in Upper Marlboro and up to $25,000 at Tuscarora Creek East.
Beazer Homes is offering a limited-time opportunity, including $20,000 in closing costs plus $20,000 in design options (through Oct. 31). Beazer is also offering reduced rates and additional closing-cost assistance in select communities.
Christopher Companies is giving buyers 50% off all options, one of the steepest design-center discounts in the region. This limited-time incentive runs through November 30, 2025.
Nationwide
Taylor Morrison is running a national Black Friday mortgage promotion. Buyers can lock a 3.75% rate (5.48% APR) on a 30-year fixed adjustable-rate mortgage when using Taylor Morrison Home Funding. This offer appears on the builder’s national homepage and applies company-wide.
D.R. Horton is advertising a 0.99% introductory mortgage rate in select communities as part of a national marketing push. While the exact offer varies by location, the sub-1% rate promotion is being featured at the national level and reported across industry media as a company-wide incentive.
Outside-the-box incentives
It’s a good time to be shopping for a new build home, with builders getting creative with incentives, which adds up to more value for the buyer. New deals appear frequently, especially as we approach the year-end, so research is time well spent.
Here are some incentives that go beyond the basics:
As part of the homebuilders’ Payment Abatement Program, buyers can lower their first three mortgage payments to as low as $250 per month with Betenbough Homes’s Use-It-Your-Way Cash.
Del Webb is offering a national Fly & Buy travel reimbursement program at select communities, including Del Webb Wilmington at Mallory Creek. Buyers can receive up to $3,000 in reimbursed airfare when they purchase a new Del Webb home and close by December 30, 2025.
Del Webb Sunchase is offering a complimentary golf cart with the purchase of select quick move-in homes, along with a washer, dryer, and refrigerator package.
Toll Brothers is offering a free golf cart at select communities, including Solstice at Wellen Park (Summit Collection), on qualifying quick move-in homes.
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