Mortgage Rates Near 7%: What It Means for New Braunfels Buyers and Sellers

If you've looked at mortgage rates this month, you've probably seen the number that made a lot of buyers pause: close to 7%. As of Freddie Mac's September 17, 2026 survey, the average 30-year fixed rate was 6.95%, up from 6.76% the week before and 6.26% a year ago.

I'm Allen Corona, a REALTOR® with Real Broker here in New Braunfels. I talk to buyers and sellers about this every week, and my approach is the same every time: education first, no pressure, and real numbers. So let's look at what a rate near 7% actually does, and what it doesn't.

What a higher rate does to your payment

The easiest way to see it is to run the math on a $350,000 loan with a 30-year fixed rate (principal and interest only, before taxes, insurance and any mortgage insurance):

• At 6.26% (where rates were a year ago), the payment is about $2,157 a month.
• At 6.76% (last week's average), it's about $2,272 a month.
• At 6.95% (this week's average), it's about $2,317 a month.

That's roughly $160 more per month than a year ago on the same loan. It's real money, but it's also a number you can plan around, and it's very different from the headline "rates are terrible."

Buyers have real leverage right now

Here's the part of the headline that often gets missed: a higher rate has cooled competition, and that gives buyers more room to negotiate.

Here's what the local numbers show:

• In Comal County, which includes New Braunfels, the Four Rivers Association of REALTORS® August 2026 report shows 313 closed sales, down 3.4% from a year ago, with a median price of $427,450, up 4.5%. In other words, prices are still rising, so this isn't a market where you should expect across-the-board discounts.
• Zooming in on the city itself, Redfin's June 2026 three-month figures show the typical New Braunfels home taking about 69 days to sell and going for roughly 98% of the list price, with about 47% of listings having had a price drop.
• In San Antonio, the August 2026 report from the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® shows just under 6 months of inventory, with the median home taking about 82 days to sell, longer than a year ago. Sellers received nearly 93% of their original asking price on average. Six months of supply is generally considered a balanced market, and the board's chair summed it up this way: buyers have time and choice.

To be fair, it's not a free-for-all, and leverage doesn't mean prices are falling. It shows up in negotiation and terms. Well-priced, well-presented homes in good locations are still getting attention, and about 14% of New Braunfels homes still sold above list price. The leverage is strongest on homes that have been sitting, were priced too high at the start, or need some work.

What that leverage can look like in practice:

• Negotiating the price below list on homes that have already had a reduction
• Asking the seller to pay part of your closing costs or a rate buydown
• Requesting repairs or credits after the inspection
• Having more time to compare homes instead of rushing to make an offer

A good agent can tell you which listings are ripe for that kind of negotiation and which aren't. That's a big part of what I do for my buyers.

If you're buying

Know your real budget, not the maximum. A lender's approval amount and a payment you're comfortable with are two different numbers. Decide the monthly payment that works for your life first, then work backward.

Talk to a lender early. Rates change daily, and your personal rate depends on your credit, down payment, loan type and points. The weekly averages are a guide, not a quote. Getting pre-approved tells you where you actually stand.

Use your leverage on the whole deal. Price isn't the only lever. A seller credit can sometimes be used to buy your rate down, which lowers your payment for the life of the loan. Whether that makes sense depends on how long you plan to stay, so run the numbers before you decide.

Don't try to time the bottom. Nobody, including the experts, can reliably predict where rates will land. If you find the right home at a payment you're comfortable with, you can always look at refinancing if rates fall later. If prices rise while you wait, you can't undo that.

If you're selling

Higher rates change how buyers shop, and that's worth planning for.

Price it for today's buyers. Many buyers are running the same payment math above. A home priced in line with the current market attracts more showings and stronger offers than one that starts high and drops later.

Presentation matters more. When buyers are watching their budget, condition and photography carry weight. Small repairs, a clean and decluttered home and good marketing help you stand out.

Be ready to talk about concessions. Offering to help with closing costs or a rate buydown can be more effective for some buyers than a price cut, and it may cost you less. We can compare the numbers before you decide.

The bottom line

A rate near 7% isn't a reason to panic, and it isn't a reason to stop planning. It's one input. Your price, your down payment, your timeline and the specific home matter just as much.

If you'd like to see what your own numbers look like, or what your home is worth in today's market, I'm happy to walk through it with no pressure. You can get a free home value estimate or contact me and we'll go through the options together.

Rate figures are from Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released September 17, 2026. Comal County figures are from the Four Rivers Association of REALTORS® August 2026 market stats (data per the Texas A&M Real Estate Research Center), New Braunfels city figures are from Redfin (June 2026, three-month rolling), and San Antonio figures are from the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® report for August 2026; conditions vary by neighborhood and price point. Payment examples are estimates for illustration only, cover principal and interest only, and are not a loan offer or financial advice. Speak with a licensed lender about your own situation. Allen Corona, REALTOR®, Real Broker.