Why Now Is the Best Time to Buy New or Build a Home in Oklahoma
If you’ve been thinking about buying a home in Oklahoma, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Should I buy now, or wait?”
It’s a smart question, but here’s the truth: in today’s market, waiting often costs more than acting now. Oklahoma home prices are at record highs, construction costs are increasing, and utility bills are climbing faster than ever.
Here’s why now is often the best time to buy or build and why building withBeacon Homes makes the decision even smarter.
1. Oklahoma Home Prices Are at Record Highs — and Still Rising
According to MLSOK, the average home in Oklahoma City sold for $275,000 last month — the highest it’s ever been.
While Oklahoma’s housing market has been more stable than many others, the long-term trend is still upward. Waiting for a “drop” could mean paying more later — or getting less home for the same budget.
The Price Gap Between New and Existing Homes Has Shrunk
It’s true that new construction homes have traditionally cost more than existing homes. After all, you’re getting brand new everything. But in today’s market, that difference has narrowed.
From 2013 to early 2025, the price gap between new homes and existing homes dropped significantly. That means the “new homes are way more expensive” argument isn’t as true as it used to be — especially when you factor in fewer repairs, better energy efficiency, and modern features you’d have to pay extra to add to an older home.
For Renters: Is Owning a better option?
If you’re currently renting, every month’s payment is going toward your landlord’s equity — not yours. We understand not everyone chooses to or is able buy, but the question is, “Can you?”
By buying a home, you start building your own wealth through equity. Each payment you make is an investment in your future, not just an expense. In Oklahoma’s appreciating housing market, that equity can grow quickly, giving you more financial security over time.
Concerned About Interest Rates? Here’s the Truth
According to the Wall Street Journal, mortgage rates are down compared to earlier this year:
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage: 6.72% (Bankrate national average)
- 15-year fixed-rate mortgage: 5.97%
While these rates are still higher than the ultra-low numbers of a few years ago, experts say they’re unlikely to drop significantly in the near term. The Federal Reserve has held its benchmark rate steady at 4.25%–4.50% and shows no signs of cutting soon.
Here’s the risk in waiting: while you hold out for a small rate drop, other costs — home prices, construction expenses, utility rates — can keep rising. Those increases could easily erase any savings you’d gain from a slightly lower mortgage rate.
2. Construction Costs Keep Climbing
New builds are also impacted by rising costs. The National Association of Home Builders reports that construction expenses made up 64.4% of the average price of a new home in 2024, up from 60.8% in 2022.
Locking in your build cost now with a builder like Beacon can protect you from these increases — and our On Time / On Budget Guarantee means no surprise overruns.
3. Rising Utility Costs Make Energy Efficiency Critical
In Oklahoma, utility bills are climbing fast:
- Heating and cooling costs surged 49% from June 2021 to June 2022 (U.S. EIA via KOCO).
- Electricity prices rose another 12.4% in 2025 (Courier-Journal).
Energy-efficient new construction — with spray foam insulation, advanced HVAC, and Low-E windows — can cut those costs significantly. Beacon Homes includes these features standard. With a Beacon Better Built home, you could save up to 40-50% in utilities.
4. Seasonal Buying Advantages
Spring/Summer: More listings, more competition.
Fall/Winter: Less competition, potential builder incentives, and better construction scheduling.
In Oklahoma, starting your build in the cooler months can help you move in before the summer heat — and peak utility bills — arrive.
5. Life Doesn’t Wait for “Perfect” Conditions
Sometimes the best time to buy a home in Oklahoma is when your life calls for it:
- Expanding family
- Job relocation
- Need for a home office or more space
Building lets you design a home around your timeline, not the market’s.
Why Buying New Now + Building with Beacon Homes Is the Smartest Choice
When you decide the time is right, choosing the right Oklahoma home builder matters. Beacon Homes goes beyond standard construction with our Better Built difference.
Structurally Stronger from the Start
Oklahoma’s clay-heavy soil swells when wet and contracts when dry. Combined with our state’s extreme weather swings, this makes foundation cracking and settling common — even in some new homes.
Beacon protects your investment with:
- Post-Tensioned “Hold-It-Together” Slabs — engineered to resist soil movement and reduce cracking.
- 2x6 Exterior Walls — for greater strength, better insulation, and improved soundproofing.
Dryer Homes — Inside and Out
Over time, water damage is the #1 potential enemy of your home. It can cause more costly damage than almost anything else. That’s why we take water protection seriously in every Beacon home. Here are some of the things that Beacon does to keep water out of your home.
Exterior Protection
- Proper grading to direct water away from the foundation
- Moisture barrier under the concrete slab
- Air-checked plumbing lines
- Durable house wrap secured with nails and cap staples opposed to just staples to prevent tears
- Windows and doors installed with precision to prevent leaks
- Angled brick seals to guide water away from windows
- Driveways and patios poured to slope away from entry points
Interior Waterproofing
- Schluter System used in all showers and baths, creating a waterproof envelope. (Learn More about the Schluter Waterproofing system)
- Plumbing lines clearly marked and protected at all base plates with metal shields
- All drains tested and scoped to ensure proper flow and no blockages
With Beacon Homes, these features are not extras — they’re standard.
Personal Attention During Your Build
Most builders assign supervisors 25–30 homes at once. Beacon keeps it to about 12 builds per supervisor — so you get personal updates, faster responses, and a smoother process.
On Time / On Budget Guarantee
With costs climbing, price certainty is priceless. Beacon locks in your build budget before construction begins.
The Bottom Line
- Home prices are rising.
- The gap between new and old homes is smaller than ever.
- Mortgage rates are down — but unlikely to fall much more soon.
- Construction costs are increasing.
- Utility bills are higher than ever.
- Renters can start building their own equity.
Waiting for a “better” time to buy could mean paying more for less. Buying now and building with Beacon Homes gives you:
- A locked-in price
- A structurally stronger, healthier home
- Lower energy costs
- A smoother, more personal building experience
Ready to start your Oklahoma home build?
Explore Our Floor Plans or Contact Us today.