This Week in New Braunfels
The Neue Breaks Ground Downtown — 43 Condos Coming by Late 2027
A $20 million mixed-use development officially broke ground on September 29, 2026 in downtown New Braunfels. The four-story project, called The Neue, will deliver 43 condominium residences ranging from 851 to 1,937 square feet, along with ground-floor retail and office space, with completion expected in December 2027. One-bedroom units are priced starting in the mid-$400,000s, with two-bedroom residences beginning at $600,000s.
City Has Until Mid-November to Decide on License Plate Reader Cameras
New Braunfels leaders face a mid-November deadline on whether to retain nearly 50 automated license plate reader cameras currently deployed by the police department, with the decision hinging on uncertain state grant funding. Police say the technology has accelerated criminal investigations significantly — in one case, suspects in a $9,000 robbery linked to a Houston theft ring were tracked down within days of the cameras going live. The department has published its use policy, audit records, and case results on its public website for residents to review.
Mayor French Reflects on Water Complexity After 100 Days in Office
New Braunfels Mayor Michael French marked his first 100 days in office with remarks emphasizing the complexity of the city's water management challenges. French said his time in office has "deepened his appreciation for the sheer complexity" of regional water supply, while reaffirming the city's ongoing effort to secure long-term, high-quality water resources amid continued growth. His comments underscore a challenge that will likely shape infrastructure and development conversations well into the coming years.
Austin Man Sentenced to 45 Years for I-35 Road Rage Incident in New Braunfels
Patrick Ryan McShan of Austin was sentenced to 45 years in prison following a road rage incident on Interstate 35 in which he pointed a gun at another driver before fleeing from New Braunfels police near I-35 and FM 482. The case was prosecuted by the Comal County District Attorney's Office. McShan led police on a chase before he was apprehended.
Real Estate Market
The most concrete real estate story in New Braunfels this week is The Neue — and it's worth examining carefully rather than just celebrating a groundbreaking. The project is bringing 43 condominiums to downtown at prices starting in the mid-$400,000s for one-bedrooms and $600,000s for two-bedrooms. That positions it squarely in the luxury segment for this market, and it represents a format — urban, walkable, ownership-based — that has been largely absent from New Braunfels's housing supply. The New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation contributed $2.2 million in infrastructure incentives for the surrounding public improvements, which suggests the city sees this as more than a single building. Whether the demand is there at those price points is the real question buyers and the broader market will answer over the next 14 months before completion.
The broader financing environment complicates the picture for buyers across the market. As of early October, the 30-year fixed mortgage rate is averaging 7.44%, up again from the prior week. At that rate, borrowing costs are a meaningful variable in any purchase calculation, and the psychological weight of rates above 7% is real — it sidelines some buyers before they fully evaluate whether a deal works for them. That said, New Braunfels sits within Comal County, which carries the national baseline conforming loan limit of $832,750 for 2026, meaning conventional, FHA, and VA financing remain accessible tools for the majority of homes in this market. The rate environment is a headwind, but it isn't a wall.
For buyers weighing New Braunfels against Austin or San Antonio, the value gap remains relevant. The I-35 Corridor positioning — between two major employment centers, with generally lower tax rates outside city limits and more acreage per dollar — continues to be a structural advantage this market holds. The rental side shows some softening, with one-bedroom apartment rents averaging $1,269, down 2.8% year-over-year, which is a modest signal worth watching. Sellers should understand that higher rates mean buyers are working harder to justify every purchase decision. Pricing precision matters more in this environment than it did two or three years ago.