Which builder deals only work if I use the builder's lender?

Rate buydowns and the largest closing-cost credits are commonly conditioned on the builder's preferred or affiliated lender. A smaller design credit or inventory discount may survive with an outside lender. The contract and the incentive addendum, not the brochure, are the source of truth.

Can I use my own lender on a new construction home?

Often yes, but you may lose the promotional rate or a large credit. Ask what portion of the incentive remains with an outside Loan Estimate, and compare fees and rate on the same loan amount and lock period.

Builder Perk

Guide

Which deals only work if I use the builder’s lender?

The headline incentive — a below-market rate or a large closing-cost credit — usually requires the builder’s preferred or affiliated lender. Smaller credits sometimes survive if you finance elsewhere. The addendum, not the website banner, is what binds.

What is typically lender-tied

Promotional interest rates and 2-1 or 1-0 buydowns
Large closing-cost or “flex cash” amounts advertised with the rate
Lender credits that only appear on that lender’s Loan Estimate

National builders tracked by BuilderPerk — Lennar, Perry Homes, Pulte, Highland Homes, D.R. Horton, Taylor Morrison, Meritage Homes, and David Weekley Homes — commonly fund those offers through an in-house or partner mortgage company. The builder is not required to let you keep the full package if you walk in with another lender.

What may still work with your own lender

A modest design-center or options credit
An inventory-home price reduction that is not labeled as financing
A smaller closing credit the sales office will still write into the contract

Ask the question in this form: “If I use my own lender, what dollar amount of this incentive remains, and what disappears?” Get the answer on the incentive addendum before you remove optionality.

A cheaper outside loan can still lose to the builder’s package. If the preferred lender is 0.25% higher but the builder is contributing $20,000 you would otherwise lose, run the net — payment plus cash to close — rather than the rate alone.

How to compare without guessing

Get the builder’s best incentive in writing, including the lender condition.
Request a Loan Estimate from the preferred lender and from at least one outside lender for the same loan type, amount, and lock period.
Subtract any extra rate or fees on the preferred side from the credit you would lose by walking away. That is the real spread.

BuilderPerk flags lender and title conditions when a tracked builder publishes them. It does not replace a Loan Estimate.

See which current deals require the builder’s lender

Not a quote, not advice. Coverage is limited to tracked US builders. Confirm lender conditions on the builder’s page and in the contract. BuilderPerk is a search tool for new-home buyer incentives, not a supplier loyalty program.