Rate buy-down (most valuable)
Builder pays your lender up front to lower your interest rate, often by 0.5 to 1.5 percentage points. Typical value: $5,000 to $15,000. Most aggressive at Hakes Brothers and Arista. Often tied to using the builder-preferred lender — get a competitive rate quote first, then evaluate.
Builder-paid closing costs
Builder covers a portion of buyer-side closing costs. Typical value: $5,000 to $10,000. Most consistently available at Desert View Homes and French Brothers. Easiest yes — almost always available even if not volunteered.
Free upgrade package
Builder includes upgrade tier finishes (granite, hardwood, premium cabinets) at no charge. Typical value: $5,000 to $20,000. Most common on slower-moving specs at Edwards Homes and KT Homes. Often the highest-value incentive in dollar terms.
Lot premium credit
Builder waives or reduces the lot premium on slower-moving lots. Typical value: $2,000 to $10,000. Most common at Hakes Brothers and Desert View on lots that have been sitting longer than 60 days. Ask the rep how long the home has been on market — leverage.
Stacking
The typical buyer who walks in alone gets one incentive. We typically stack two or three. Stack a rate buy-down with closing-cost contribution and an upgrade credit on a slow spec, and the effective discount can land at 10 to 15 percent below sticker. End-of-quarter timing helps. Reps have monthly and quarterly close targets to hit.
Want this applied to your specific search?
We do this on every buyer-side transaction. Free, paid by the builder. Tell us your budget and timeline and we'll send the three best-fit homes from across all six Las Cruces builders.