More BANG For Your BUCK With BUILDERS?
Here's something most homebuyers don't think about. When the housing market slows down, homeowners and builders don't always respond the same way.
Think about it. If you're selling your house and aren't getting the offers you want, you could make the choice to take it off the market and stay put, and wait for things to improve.
But builders? They may be more motivated to stay the course.
They've already invested money in building those houses. And every completed home that sits unsold means money tied up in a property, plus ongoing costs that can add up.
That's why some builders may be more motivated to negotiate right now. And that could work in your favor.
Fewer Buyers Are Making Moves. And Builders Are Feeling It.
You’ve probably seen the headlines. According to the latest report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), pending home sales – homes that have gone under contract but haven't closed yet – fell 7.3% in September and 11.3% compared to last year.
Why? Higher mortgage rates are making it harder for buyers to make the numbers work. Now, that report tracks existing homes, not new construction. But we're seeing signs of the same slowdown on the builder side, too.
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), builder confidence dropped to 29 in October, its lowest level since June 2012. Traffic from prospective buyers also dropped to its lowest level in more than a decade, excluding the start of the pandemic.
As Robert Dietz, Chief Economist at NAHB, explains:
"Demand persists, but higher mortgage rates, elevated construction costs and weaker consumer confidence are keeping more buyers on the sidelines."
Here's why that matters for you.
A homeowner may be able to wait for the right offer. But a builder with several finished houses sitting unsold may have more reason to get those homes sold sooner rather than later.
And that means they may be more willing to work with you than you think.
Builders Are Already Making Moves To Win Buyers Over
If you’ve always assumed builders don't negotiate, take a look at what they're actually doing. According to the latest survey from NAHB, in October:
65% of builders are offering sales incentives.
43% are cutting prices, the highest share recorded between 2020 and 2026.
And 6% is what they’re typically taking off the price.
So, yes. Builders absolutely do negotiate. And with demand slowing, there's good reason to explore just how flexible they may be right now.
That could mean asking for a lower price. But it could also mean asking for a mortgage-rate buydown, help with closing costs, or upgrades that would otherwise cost you extra.
And here's a tip that could make a real difference.
Don't just look at the newest communities or the prettiest model homes. Look for builders with completed houses that haven't sold yet.
Those are sometimes called quick move-in homes or spec homes. And the longer one of those move-in ready homes sits unsold, the more reason a builder may have to consider an offer that helps get it off their books.
Don't Just Ask What's Available. Ask What's Negotiable.
Don't assume the advertised price or incentive package is the best they'll do.
This is where having your own agent can really pay off. An agent who knows the local market can help you compare what builders are offering, identify communities with more available homes, and understand where there's room to negotiate.
Of course, not every builder will offer the same incentives. And some may be more flexible on closing costs or mortgage rates than on the price itself.
But that's exactly why it pays to ask.
The trick is knowing where to look, what to ask for, and how much room there may be to negotiate. And that’s where having your own agent is key.
Bottom Line
A homeowner who isn't ready to accept a lower offer may be able to wait. But a builder with finished houses to sell has a different set of priorities. And that could work in your favor.
If you're ready to buy, let's look at which builders have completed homes sitting on the market in our area and see what they're willing to offer to get them sold.
Today's Active Homes For Sale
In Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties
2629 v (19)
Low $39,900 - High $9,900,000
Above $600,000
519 v (4)
$500,000 - $599,999
198 v (1)
$400,000 - $499,999
366 v (3)
$300,000 - $399,999
682 v (8)
$200,000 - $299,999
563 ^ (2)
$100,000 - $199,999
267 v (1)
Under $99,999
34 v (4)
RED is UP Black Remained the Same Green is DOWN
Current Mortgage Rate
30 YR Fixed 7.33% (+/-.00%) 15 YR Fixed 6.99% (+.01%)
Current Realtor Membership
3100 Agents (Pensacola Assioation of Realtors)
Current Mortgage Rates
Florida
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Alabama
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Think You're Smart?
Done...What Most Religions Don't Tell You About The Bible
Cary Schmidt's Introduction of Done
Don't Worry About Dying...You Will Live Forever...
It's All About Location, Location, Location!
God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ for us to be saved from this sinful world. Time is at Hand and while it is not too late, secure your salvation.
If you don’t know how to secure salvation, this simple easy to follow “ABCs of Salvation” will guide you on how to accept genuinely Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Savior to secure salvation for you to surely go to Heaven.
But before going through the steps you might ask: Why do I need to Secure Salvation? And why do I need to go to heaven? This because:
You might be wealthy but it cannot be exchanged for your soul.
Whatever you have here on earth, they are nothing and there is no forever on Earth.
Kingdom of Heaven is more valuable than anything else.
It is appointed that we will die physicaly and we will be judged (Hebrews 9:27).
You only have two destinations: Heaven or Hell
Hell has no exit and Heaven has only one door – Jesus
So how to secure salvation?
A – ADMIT that you are a Sinner
B – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ
C – CONFESS with your mouth
D – DEPART from evil
A – ADMIT that you are a Sinner
We all have sinned.
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
21That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
And no matter how you try to be good, you will still fail.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;Romans 3:23 KJV
You are still unclean.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.Isaiah 64:6 KJV
B – BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ
God gave His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to save us. And through His blood, our sins washed away.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.John 3:16 KJV
Only by His grace and not by works.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:8-10 KJV
There is no other way but only through Jesus Christ alone.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.John 14:6 KJV
God commended His love toward us.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8 KJV
If we have Jesus Christ living in us, we will live eternally.
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.1 John 5:12 KJV
In the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.1 Corinthians 5:3-5 KJV
By the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.Titus 3:5-7 KJV
C – CONFESS with your mouth
Now that you accepted that you are a sinner and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, confess with your mouth your sins and that you believe in Him. Let Him come to you and accept Him as your Lord and personal Savior.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:9 KJV
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:9-11 KJV
Now do the Sinner’s Prayer:
Holy, thoughtful, gracious, and Heavenly Father, I recognize and acknowledge I am a miscreant not deserving of your grace and I ask forgiveness of my sins. I know your son is the truth the light and the way, I give myself freely to His control and welcome him into my heart. I ask you to walk with me and guide me, teach me your way and your truth. Thank you for the gift of your Son’s sacrifice on the cross that I may live. Thank you for your forgiveness and for accepting me as your child. Amen.
Now that you are saved and you have Jesus Christ living in you, you should not stop there. What is next? Follow Him, His words, submit yourself, and don’t forget to
D – DEPART from evil
This is not part of the step to secure salvation but it is a way of proving yourself that you are now truly of Christ. Forget your past and follow Him.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.Psalms 34:14 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) 2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV
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This article provides information and opinions but is not meant as investment advice. Skip Geiser LLC, Charles "Skip" Geiser, Plum Tree Real Estate Marketing or Rob Brooks Realty does not assure the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions presented here. It is important to conduct your own research, due diligence, and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions. Skip Geiser LLC, Charles "Skip" Geiser, Plum Tree Real Estate Marketing or Rob Brooks Realty is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from relying on the information or opinions in this article
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