In an October survey by the National Association of Home Builders, 43% of builders said they had reduced prices, with cuts averaging 6%. Another 65% reported offering incentives, extending a run of at least 60% of builders offering deals for 19 straight months.

The survey points to a more cautious market: builders reported weaker buyer traffic and low expectations for sales over the next six months. Separately, the September 2026 housing report from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development showed single-family housing starts fell 4.6%.

Shelyna Tinglin, an associate broker and real estate trainer, said incentives have helped some buyers overcome the costs of purchasing a home. One first-time buyer she worked with, a veterinary assistant, was able to buy after comparing the mortgage payment with her rent, Tinglin said. Another client received $50,000 in builder incentives, some of which went toward reducing the mortgage rate.

The deals can make a purchase more attainable, but buyers should check the terms. Tinglin advised people considering a mortgage-rate buydown to determine whether the lower rate is temporary or permanent and, if temporary, whether they can afford the full payment once the discount ends.

Tinglin said incentives could recede if builders sell through current inventory and competition grows for fewer newly built homes. For now, the combination of price reductions and concessions offers some buyers negotiating leverage, though national figures do not establish how widely or consistently the discounts are available across North Texas.