12/08/2025
New construction has it's place in the market, but for consumers, it's important to remember, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Those sub-market builder-lender rates sound GREAT - but often, home buyers are sold out, misled to think they're getting a great value, but in reality, the low rates and other incentives are simply being included in an inflated price tag on a new home.
Builders will often offer incentives, say $25,000 (but ONLY if you use THEIR lender - who will often offer more expensive products than you'd find on the open market. Or THEIR agent - who may not represent you without bias to the same level your own independent agent might) --- but ask them to simply reduce the home price $25k instead? And you'll find them hesitant or unwilling - if and when that's the case, you can all but guarantee a community's price tags are being inflated.
It's up to consumers whether or not to trust a builder when it comes to incentives tied to using the builder's inner circle - but recent lawsuits and data are showing that consumers aren't winning when they work with builder's ancillary services (lenders, agents, title).
