Are you worried that prices may fall even more after you commit to buying a home? Afraid you might lose your job after you buy?

FieldStone Homes has a deal for you, and there are others out there, as well.

If the company lowers prices while your home is being built, you could get the lower price, too, even though you've already signed your contract. And once you move in, if you lose your job you could get some help paying your mortgage.

Want more? How about if FieldStone throws in free food storage in your new pantry?

Builders are offering an array of incentives designed to lure potential buyers -- especially those with the means to buy but who aren't because they are spooked about the nation's economic crisis and Utah's cooling economy.

"Builders are doing anything they can to generate interest, and some of what they are offering is actually pretty neat," said Ryan Kirkham, president of the Salt Lake Board of Realtors.

Builders aren't the only ones trying to lure consumers with reassurance plans. Hyundai, which earlier this year began offering to let buyers bring their cars back if they lose their jobs, is among several automakers and other companies who have rolled out programs.

FieldStone, a California builder that also is active in parts of Texas, is testing its Homebuyer Protection program in Utah, where "we believe there are people who want to buy but who have some concerns" about the economy, said Vaughn Wihongi, director of sales and marketing. (Details are available at http://www.fieldstone-homes-utah.com/

In Utah, FieldStone is building in Salt Lake, Weber, Utah and Tooele counties. Prices range from the $150,000s to about $300,000.

It's hard to put a value on perks such as a price guarantee or layoff insurance, which is why it's important to focus on getting the best deal in terms of price and a mortgage rate when shopping for a home.

But Realtor Kirkham points out that the assortment of incentives available to buyers can add up to a good deal. Lower home prices, super-low interest rates and, for those who qualify, a state grant worth $6,000 and a federal income tax credit of $8,000, all can greatly lower the cost of home ownership.

And even the smaller perks can make buyers feel good about buying. Just ask Ray Helzer, who recently closed on a home in West Valley.

Helzer qualified for both the $6,000 state and $8,000 federal home-buying incentives. His builder, Perry Homes, had several times lowered the asking price of the house, which had sat vacant for eight months after it was constructed. The builder also covered part of his closing costs, and because he went with an affiliated lender, he got an even lower-than-anticipated mortgage rate.

And to top things off, so to speak, Helzer said he rather likes the free sod the builder threw into the deal.

As with any major purchase, everything is negotiable when buying a home, especially now. Think about what's important to you and push for those things. My personal favorite is a low interest rate on a fixed-rate loan. Not only could you literally save tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your loan, but you might not ever have to worry about refinancing.

That's one reason why Ivory Homes has been promoting a fixed-rate 30-year loan at 4.5 percent. Chances are, mortgage rates won't ever get any better than that.

Jeff Taylor, division manager of Perry Homes, said that although perks are important and make a buyer feel good, most people just want a great deal.

"Ultimately, a good value is what's going to create the sale," Taylor said.

Helzer agrees. "This is the time to buy a home if you can do it, I tell you, it really is."

Lesley Mitchell writes One Cheap Chick in daily blog form at blogs.sltrib.com/cheap