Why Builders Push Year-End Contracts — Interactive Infographic

1) The Deal Anatomy

Tap cards • Slide controls • Compare outcomes

Builder Tactics

Savings Calculator

Decision Path

Builders push year-end contracts because contracts can help them hit annual targets and reduce carrying costs. These are the most common plays you’ll see in Myrtle Beach new construction—tap each card to reveal what it usually means for you.

Deadline pressure

“Incentive expires Dec 31.”

Creates urgency—even when inventory is the real issue.

Reality: Incentives often reset or rebrand in January. The deadline matters most when the builder is closing out year-end volume.

What to do: Ask for the incentive sheet in writing + compare lender fees/rates.

Upfront cash

Closing cost credit

Feels like “free money.” It can be… if the rate isn’t inflated.

Reality: Credits often require the builder’s lender. The win is real only if the total loan cost is competitive.

What to do: Compare APR and total closing costs, not just the note rate.

Payment relief

Rate buydown (temp or perm)

Can save a lot—especially if you refinance later.

Reality: Temporary buydowns help cash flow early. Permanent buydowns reduce payment for the life of the loan.

What to do: Run both scenarios: “stay 7+ years” vs “refi in 2–3.”

Price protection

“We don’t cut prices.”

Builders prefer incentives to protect comps and appraisals.

Reality: Incentives can be easier to approve than price cuts. That doesn’t mean the home is priced right.

What to do: Compare against recent resales + other spec homes nearby.

Contract leverage

One-sided contract terms

Deadlines matter less than what you’re signing.

Reality: Some builder contracts limit remedies if timelines slip or specs change.

What to do: Review contingency language, deposit terms, and inspection rights before you “lock anything in.”

Upgrade sparkle

“Free upgrades”

Great for resale appeal—unless the base price crept up.

Reality: Upgrades add livability and marketability, but they’re not cash. If you might sell in 3–5 years, focus on timeless items.

What to do: Prioritize flooring, kitchen durability, and layout over niche finishes.

Local note: In winter, builder foot traffic can dip across the Grand Strand. That’s why spec inventory in places like Carolina Forest may come with the loudest “year-end” promotions.

Use this to compare three “builder deal” shapes: price cut, closing cost credit, and rate buydown. It estimates monthly payment and first-year cash impact. (This is an educational model, not lender advice.)

Home price

Try typical new construction ranges for Myrtle Beach / Carolina Forest.

Down payment (%)

0%10%30%

Interest rate (%)

4%6.75%9%

Loan term (years)

Payment estimates assume fixed-rate amortization.

Deal type

No dropdowns. Just punchy buttons.

Deal value ($)

Closing credit reduces cash-to-close in this model.

Estimated monthly payment (P&I)

Compared against “no-deal” baseline.

First-year advantage estimate

Cash-to-close + 12 payments vs baseline.

Visual comparison

Bars show baseline vs your selected deal (payment + first-year). Not taxes/insurance/HOA.

Sources to link alongside this tool: Bankrate mortgages • NAHB news • CFPB homebuying

Pick your situation. We’ll score whether a year-end contract is likely a true savings play or mostly pressure. (This is a heuristic—real-world comps and contract terms still matter.)

Choose your situation

Tap multiple. Watch the right-side meter react.

Your “Best Move”

Select a situation above.

What to verify before signing

Incentive sheet in writing + expiration terms
Loan estimate vs outside lender (APR + fees)
Spec home comps nearby (resale + other specs)
Deposit/contingency clauses & inspection rights
Timeline risk & “material change” language

Coastal practical tip: If you’re shopping around Market Common, lifestyle value is real—but don’t let it blur pricing discipline. The best “deal” is the one you can comfortably carry through 2026 and beyond.