Buyers Are Getting More Perks Than Ever—Here’s Why Now Is a Great Time To Act

In today’s evolving real estate market, buyers have a unique window of opportunity—especially in areas where housing inventory is climbing. Both homebuilders and sellers are now more willing than ever to sweeten the deal to attract serious buyers. These incentives, often called concessions, can make a huge difference for anyone trying to purchase a home, especially if you're working within a budget.

What Are Concessions and Incentives?

In real estate, concessions and incentives are benefits offered by sellers or builders to make a home purchase more appealing. While they’re similar in intent, there’s a slight difference:

• Concession: Something the seller gives up or negotiates—like paying for closing costs or agreeing to repairs—to help finalize a deal.

• Incentive: An upfront perk advertised to attract buyers, like upgraded appliances or temporary mortgage rate reductions.

Some common examples include:

• Assistance with closing costs

• Temporary mortgage rate buy-downs

• Price reductions

• Home upgrades or new appliances

• Home warranties

• Minor repair coverage

These offerings can significantly lower your out-of-pocket costs and make homeownership more accessible.

As the National Association of Realtors (NAR) puts it: “They can help reduce the upfront costs associated with purchasing a home.”

Builders Are Competing for Buyers

In the new construction market, builders are stepping up their game. According to housing data firm Zonda, 56% of to-be-built homes and 74% of quick move-in homes included some form of incentive in March.

That’s because builders want to avoid carrying unsold inventory. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that around 30% of builders have dropped prices over the past few months, signaling that many are open to negotiations.

This isn’t a sign of a weak market—it’s an opportunity for buyers to get more for their money.

Resale Sellers Are Joining In

It’s not just builders offering perks. As more existing homes hit the market, sellers are finding themselves in greater competition—and they're responding accordingly.

In March, over 44% of existing home sellers offered concessions to buyers. That’s a return to pre-pandemic norms and a clear signal that the market is becoming more balanced.

But don’t expect huge discounts on every listing. Often, concessions come in the form of:

• Seller-covered repairs

• Leaving behind major appliances

• Covering a portion of closing costs

Considering that home values have increased more than 57% in the last five years, sellers can offer these benefits without sacrificing their overall profits—making it a win-win situation.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re buying new construction or a lived-in home, today’s market gives you an edge with potential perks and incentives that weren’t available just a few years ago.

As one of the few A.I. Certified Agents in the world—and the only one in Summit County—I use cutting-edge marketing strategies traditional agents don’t even know exist. This means smarter pricing, more exposure, and faster results for buyers and sellers alike.

SEE WHAT A.I. CAN DO FOR YOUR HOME SALE!

Call or Text: +1 970-390-3711
home buying tipsEmail: kim@kimobert.com

Let’s talk about what kind of concessions are realistic in our local market—and how to make them work to your advantage.