Buyer Representation · New Braunfels, TX
New Braunfels Buyer's Agent
Peter Johnson is a REALTOR with Phyllis Browning Company in New Braunfels, helping first-time buyers, relocating families, veterans, and move-up buyers find the right single-family home.
U.S. Army veteran. Current home inspector. Current licensed appraiser. First-time buyers, relocating families, veterans, and move-up buyers get a REALTOR who reads the house, the contract, and the numbers before they write.
"A month ago, my wife and I were working in two separate states on the East Coast, with a minimal purchasing budget, and on a tight timeline. Pete was an exceptional advocate who worked diligently to negotiate a fair contract while protecting us from the typical stress that can accompany home buying." Randy · Relocation buyer
The Process
How do you buy a home in New Braunfels, TX?
Discovery
A call about what you want, where you are looking, and what monthly payment feels comfortable. Peter connects you with two or three lenders so you can compare rates, fees, and pre-approval terms.
The Search
Tailored MLS search, in-person and virtual tours, a full CMA on every home you like, and an offer built around your priorities: price, terms, repair credits, and contingencies that actually protect you.
Closing
Peter quarterbacks the option period, inspections, repair amendments, appraisal, survey, and walkthrough. Conventional loans close in 30-45 days. Cash deals can close in two weeks.
Buyer Advocate
What You Get
Why do you need a buyer's agent in New Braunfels, TX?
Before you write on a New Braunfels home, Peter reviews the monthly payment, tax estimate, HOA rules, recent comparable sales, visible condition concerns, and likely inspection issues.
He walks the property with you, pulls the comps that matter, and helps you decide whether to offer, negotiate, or keep looking.
More About Peter
Local Knowledge
The Market
New Braunfels Neighborhoods and Submarkets
New Braunfels is not one market. Comal ISD versus NBISD changes property values block to block. Older resale homes, newer subdivisions, downtown streets, and lake-area addresses all behave differently.
Peter brings Army discipline, inspection training, and appraisal perspective to this market. He helps buyers compare the house, the payment, the condition, and the daily-life fit before they write an offer.
Browse Neighborhoods
Relocators Welcome
Out of State
Moving to New Braunfels, TX from out of state?
A significant share of Peter's clients are relocating from California, Colorado, the Pacific Northwest, and the Northeast. He runs full virtual tours over FaceTime or Zoom, builds custom area-orientation drives when you visit, and walks you through how Texas does things differently.
Homestead exemptions, the option period, MUD and PID districts, the IABS form, the 1-2-10 builder warranty. The goal is simple: you arrive on closing day already feeling at home.
Unlock Relocation GuideFirst-Time Buyers
What first-time buyer programs are available in New Braunfels, TX?
If you are buying your first home in New Braunfels, the main practical options are state-level programs through TDHCA and TSAHC, plus FHA and USDA loan paths. Program rules, income limits, and purchase-price limits change, so verify the current program page before you build a plan around the assistance.
Buying your first home?
Start with the first-time buyer page.
Get the plain-English version of budget, inspections, loan options, builder incentives, and the small decisions that can cost real money later.
FHA Loans
The most common low-down-payment option. Minimum 3.5% down with a credit score of 580 or higher. Borrowers with scores from 500 to 579 generally need 10% down. Mortgage insurance (MIP) is required on almost all FHA loans, including an upfront premium and a monthly premium.
USDA Loans
0% down payment if the property is in a USDA-eligible area near New Braunfels. Designed for low- to moderate-income households. Whether a specific address qualifies depends on the USDA property eligibility map, and eligibility can vary even within Comal County.
TDHCA My First Texas Home
A statewide program pairing a 30-year mortgage with down payment and closing cost assistance of up to 5% of the loan amount. The assistance is structured as a deferred loan due when you sell, refinance, or pay off the mortgage. Requires first-time buyer status, homebuyer education, and income/purchase-price limits that vary by county.
TSAHC Programs
Statewide homebuyer assistance available as either a grant or a deferred second lien, up to 5% of the loan amount. TSAHC also offers programs for certain targeted occupations. Income and purchase-price limits apply by county and household size.
If your credit is 580 or better and you want the lowest cash needed upfront, FHA plus TDHCA or TSAHC assistance is usually the most accessible route. If the home is in a USDA-eligible area and your income fits the cap, USDA can be even better because it requires no down payment.
Sources: TDHCA, TSAHC, USDA Property Eligibility
Ask Peter About First-Time Buyer OptionsBuyer FAQ
Frequently asked questions: buying a home in New Braunfels.
Straight answers to the questions Peter hears every week from New Braunfels and Comal County buyers, from financing to closing day.
How much home can I afford on a $150K household income in New Braunfels?
Start with lender approval, then pressure-test the payment against current local prices, property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and your actual debt. New Braunfels market snapshots vary by methodology: Redfin reported a median sale price of about $340K for the three months ending May 2026, while Zillow showed a typical home value of $345,084 using data through December 31, 2025.
Sources: Redfin New Braunfels market , Zillow New Braunfels home values
What closing costs should a buyer budget for in Texas?
Closing costs vary by loan, title charges, prepaid taxes and insurance, rate points, and negotiated credits. Peter reviews the lender's Loan Estimate with every client because that document is the better source than a generic percentage rule.
Sources: CFPB Loan Estimate
Are Texas property taxes really that much higher?
Texas has no state income tax, so local property taxes do more of the work. In New Braunfels, the actual bill depends on the specific address and the taxing entities attached to it, including city, county, school district, ESD, MUD, or other local districts. Always run the numbers using the tax estimator or current tax bill for the property, not a county average.
Sources: Comal County Tax Estimator , City of New Braunfels Tax Information
What is the IABS form my agent keeps mentioning?
IABS stands for Information About Brokerage Services. Texas requires agents to provide the disclosure at the first substantive communication about a specific property or transaction. It explains the difference between representing a buyer, a seller, and acting as an intermediary. It is not a contract and it does not commit you to anything.
How are buyer agent fees handled after the NAR settlement?
Buyer compensation is now negotiated up front in a written buyer representation agreement before you tour homes. In practice, sellers in this market still frequently offer a 2-3% concession toward the buyer's agent. Peter writes the buyer rep agreement so you know exactly what you would owe in any scenario.
What does a home inspection cost in New Braunfels?
Inspection fees vary by home size, age, scope, and add-ons such as wood-destroying insect, pool, septic, sewer scope, or foundation review. Peter helps buyers decide which inspections make sense for the specific property instead of relying on a generic price range.
How long does closing take from contract to keys?
Conventional financing usually closes in 30 to 45 days. FHA and VA tend to run 71 to 77 days. Cash purchases can close in 10 to 14 days. The Texas option period, typically 7 to 10 days at the start of the contract, is your protected window for inspections.
Should I ever waive the inspection to win a house?
No. Even in competitive situations there are better tools, informational-only inspections, pre-offer inspections, or shortened option periods, that let you stay aggressive without giving up your protection. Peter will not advise a client to walk away from the option period.
Next Steps
New Braunfels Buyer Resources
Ready?
Let's Find Your New Braunfels Home.
Call, text, or send a note and Peter will get back to you the same day.