This Week in New Braunfels
New Braunfels Utilities Moves to Stage 2 Drought Restrictions
New Braunfels Utilities announced the shift to Stage 2 drought restrictions effective August 10, citing continued drought conditions across the region. Under the new rules, automatic irrigation systems and sprinklers are limited to once per week, with the permitted day determined by the last digit of the service address. Year-round prohibitions on water waste remain in effect, including running water into streets or gutters and failing to repair controllable leaks.
Communities in Schools Wraps Up 2026 Pack the Bus Drive
Communities in Schools of South Central Texas completed another Pack the Bus school supply drive on Saturday, August 8, collecting supplies for local students at a New Braunfels H-E-B location. The Herald-Zeitung recognized the organization and its volunteers in its weekly Kudos column for their continued efforts ahead of the school year.
Measles Activity Elevated in Texas Region
Public health tracking for the New Braunfels area shows measles rated as high in the best available regional signal for August 2026, according to Local Health Signal, which aggregates Texas state-level surveillance data. Flu activity across Texas remains low, with an influenza-like illness rate of approximately 1.0%. Residents with health concerns are directed to Texas state surveillance resources for the most current trend data.
Harmful Algal Bloom Warnings Issued for Lakes and Waterways This Summer
Health officials across the country are warning swimmers, families, and pet owners about harmful algal blooms in lakes and bodies of water this summer, a concern that extends to Texas waterways. FOX Weather flagged the issue as millions head to recreational water destinations during peak season. Residents using the Comal or Guadalupe rivers and nearby lakes should monitor local advisories before swimming.
Real Estate Market
The New Braunfels market is moving more slowly than it was a year ago, and the numbers are fairly clear about it. According to Four Rivers Association of Realtors data compiled through mid-2026, closed sales in the 78130 ZIP code dropped 7.7% year over year, while 78132 — which covers the more rural and acreage-heavy areas to the north and east — saw a steeper decline of 20.2%. Homes in both ZIP codes are spending more time on the market compared to the same period last year, and total active inventory has also decreased year over year. That combination — fewer sales, fewer listings, and longer days on market — points to a market that has lost momentum without fully resetting on price.
The one notable counterpoint is pending contracts. The number of homes under contract increased year over year in both ZIP codes, which suggests demand hasn't evaporated — buyers are still engaging, just more deliberately. At the state level, Texas broadly sits at roughly 2.81 months of supply with homes averaging 64 days on market, conditions that generally favor buyers in terms of negotiating position. New Braunfels is broadly consistent with that picture. Sellers who priced aggressively during the 2021–2022 run-up and haven't adjusted are the ones sitting the longest.
For buyers, the current environment offers something that wasn't available two or three years ago: time. There's less competition on most listings, and the rise in pending contracts suggests that well-priced homes are still moving. For sellers, the data argues for precision on price from day one. Overpricing into a market where days-on-market is already trending upward compounds the problem quickly. The drought restrictions now in effect are also worth factoring into any property evaluation — landscaping, irrigation infrastructure, and water source details matter more during Stage 2 conditions than they do in a normal summer.