Leander doesn’t get talked about as much as Cedar Park or Round Rock, and I’ve never understood why, because the numbers tell a pretty loud story on their own. This is a city that had roughly 59,000 people in 2020 and is closing in on 90,000 now, and for a stretch a few years back […]
Homes for Sale in Georgetown, TX: Prices, Neighborhoods, and What to Know
If you’re looking at homes for sale in Georgetown, Texas, you’ve picked one of the fastest-moving markets in the state, and I mean that in the most literal sense. This is a city that had about 28,000 people in the year 2000 and has since grown past 90,000, which means the Georgetown you’re touring homes […]
Sun City Georgetown: Homes, Lifestyle, and What to Know Before You Buy
Folks ask me about Sun City Georgetown more than almost any other neighborhood in my territory, and it’s usually the same question dressed up different ways: is it actually as good as everyone says, or is it just a big name with a big marketing budget. Short answer, having sold homes there and walked more […]
Your guide to Fourth of July in Austin
I’ve lived and sold real estate in Austin long enough to notice that the Fourth of July says a lot about how this city works. It’s not one big event. It’s a handful of traditions spread across downtown, the lake, and individual neighborhoods, and where you live determines which version of the holiday becomes yours. […]
Your Guide to AquaBoom in Kingsland
If there’s one weekend that explains why people fall in love with Kingsland, it’s AquaBoom. I’ve had clients decide to buy after experiencing it firsthand, and I’ve had others realize a quieter lake town suits them better once they’ve seen what a full-on Fourth of July on Lake LBJ actually looks like. Here’s the real […]
Your Guide to Eeyore’s Birthday Party in Austin
I’ve sold real estate around Pease Park long enough to know that most people who move to this part of Austin eventually ask me about the guy dressed as a giant strawberry wandering down Kingsbury Street on a Saturday afternoon in late April. That’s Eeyore’s Birthday Party, and if you’re new to town, it’s worth […]
Texas Open House Law Change: What Buyers Need To Know 2026
Texas Open House Law Change: What Buyers Need To Know 2026 In Texas, the 2026 open house law change limits who may host an open house for a seller without additional documentation. When an agent from outside the listing brokerage hosts or facilitates access, a buyer may be asked to review an Information About Brokerage […]
Flag Lot Explained: What It Is and When It Makes Financial Sense
A flag lot is a piece of land where the main buildable area sits behind another property, connected to the street by a narrow strip — picture the shape of a flag on a pole. I’ve walked buyers through a handful of these over the years, and reactions split pretty evenly: some love the privacy […]
Austin Real Estate I-35 Dividing Line: Clay Soil Guide 2026
Austin Real Estate I-35 Dividing Line: Clay Soil Guide 2026 The Austin real estate I-35 dividing line generally separates limestone west of I-35 from expansive clay east of it. That difference affects foundation review and maintenance expectations. It also changes how buyers assess drainage and long-term ownership costs. Quick answer: I-35 generally marks limestone west […]
Selling a House During a Divorce in Texas: What You Need to Know in 2026
In Texas, selling a house during a divorce means both spouses typically must agree to the sale and sign all closing documents, unless a court order directs otherwise. The home is either community property, subject to division, or separate property belonging to one spouse. That distinction controls almost everything that follows. Robbie English, REALTOR and […]
Is Lake LBJ Safe To Swim In?
When people ask, “Is Lake LBJ safe to swim in?” the answer is yes, with a few conditions. Like any natural body of water, Lake LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson Lake) and its neighboring Highland Lakes offer beautiful, refreshing opportunities for swimming and recreation. But these lakes come with their own set of natural risks and […]
Buyer Agent Compensation in Texas: What Sellers Need to Know
Texas home sellers are not automatically required to pay a buyer’s agent a fixed or standard commission. Realtor commission in Texas is negotiable. Under the current TREC resale contract, a buyer may ask the seller to pay an agreed amount toward the buyer’s brokerage obligation, but that request lives in the sales contract now, not […]
Unexpected Expenses When Buying a Home: A Buyer’s Cost Guide
Unexpected Expenses When Buying a Home: A Buyer’s Cost Guide Unexpected expenses when buying a home include closing costs, inspections, repairs, taxes, HOA fees, utilities, maintenance, and furnishings. These costs can affect the cash you need before closing as well as the monthly cost of owning the property afterward. Closing Costs Beyond the Down Payment […]
Average Salary Austin TX: What You Need to Live Here in 2026
Austin continues to draw people from across the country, and the question that comes up before almost every relocation decision is the same: What salary do you need to live in Austin? Whether you are planning to buy a home, rent an apartment, or simply want to understand what the average salary in Austin, TX […]
Is Round Rock, TX a Good Place to Live? Here’s My Take
Round Rock ranks among the best places to live in Texas, and the reasons are specific enough to matter to someone making an actual move. Strong tech-sector employment, a school district with a track record that holds up under scrutiny, and home prices that still undercut Austin by a meaningful margin. Whether you’re relocating for […]
Dangers Agents Face When Meeting Unknown Clients in 2026
The dangers agents face when meeting unknown clients are serious enough that many experienced agents now treat safety protocols as non-negotiable before any showing. Physical assault, theft, fraud, identity exploitation, legal exposure, and stalking are not hypothetical risks. They are documented patterns in the industry that have shaped how agents operate, and they explain behaviors […]
When Do I Get Keys to My New House? Texas Closing Guide
When do I get keys to my new house? In many Texas purchases, the answer is after the transaction is funded and the title company confirms that the deed and closing requirements are complete. Signing documents alone does not always mean you can move in. The contract’s possession terms, the lender’s funding process, recording, and […]
Can a Seller Refuse to Pay the Buyer’s Agent? Your Options
Can a Seller Refuse to Pay the Buyer’s Agent? Your Options Yes, a seller can legally refuse to pay your buyer’s agent compensation in 2026. Since the 2024 National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) settlement agreement took effect, buyers need to address this cost before making an offer. Waiting until closing can create a funding problem […]
How to Spot and Avoid Rental Scams in Austin 2026
Austin rental scams follow predictable patterns, and knowing those patterns before you sign anything is the fastest way to stay safe. If a listing looks wrong, the landlord is hard to reach, or someone is pushing you to pay before you’ve seen the unit, those are not coincidences. They are the scam. This guide walks […]
Buyer Agent Commissions Paid as Seller Concessions and Value
Buyer Agent Commissions Paid as Seller Concessions and Value Buyer agent commissions paid as seller concessions can affect the value indicated by appraisal comparables. The appraiser analyzes the comparable’s contract price alongside the concession and may adjust the sale when the concession influenced the price or the seller’s net proceeds. I am Robbie English, REALTOR […]
What Is a Flag Lot? Pros, Cons, and What to Know
If you’ve driven through a quiet Austin neighborhood and spotted a driveway wedged between two houses leading to a home that seems to disappear from the street, you’ve seen one of these setups in person. The lived experience of owning or selling a property like this is what this article is really about: not whether […]
Why Home Buyers Use Internet Search for Every Step in 2026
Home buyers use internet search at every stage of the buying process. According to the National Association of REALTORS’ Home Buyer and Seller Profile, 100% of recent buyers used the internet at some point during their search. That number has held steady for years, which means any home that is not visible online is effectively […]
Can a Home Seller Back Out of a Signed Contract? 2026 Guide
Yes, a home seller can back out of a signed contract, but only under specific conditions recognized in the agreement or by law. Walking away without one of those legal footholds puts the seller at serious risk of litigation, forced completion of the sale, or forfeiture of any negotiating position they still held. Understanding exactly […]
Essential Traits of a Top-Notch Real Estate Listing Agent
A top-notch real estate listing agent brings eight specific traits to every sale: local pricing precision, consistent communication, skilled negotiation, strategic marketing, detail management, problem-solving, adaptability, and genuine client-first representation. These aren’t personality traits you hope an agent has. They’re operational habits you can verify before you sign a listing agreement. Here is how each […]
Best Time to Sell Your House in San Antonio, TX (2026 Guide)
In San Antonio, TX, homes listed in spring, particularly March through May, tend to sell faster and closer to asking price than in any other season. That said, the right time to sell your house in San Antonio depends on your specific goals, your property, and how well your listing is positioned when it hits […]
Subagency in Texas After 2026: What Buyers Need to Know
If you have read older articles about Texas real estate, you may have seen subagency described as the default relationship between a buyer and a license holder who had not yet agreed to represent the buyer. That description is now outdated, and understanding why matters before you tour a single home. Effective January 1, 2026, […]
Moving from NYC to Austin, Texas in 2026: What to Know
Moving from NYC to Austin in 2026 is a decision thousands of New Yorkers are making right now, and for good reason. If you’ve spent years grinding through Manhattan’s pace, Austin doesn’t ask you to slow down so much as it asks you to redirect that energy somewhere it actually sticks. Lower overhead, more space, […]
Sell House As Is in Texas: 2026 Guide for Texas Sellers
If you want to sell your house as is in Texas in 2026, you can offer the property in its current condition without completing repairs or upgrades before closing. The process still requires accurate disclosure, careful pricing, and a plan for the buyer’s option period. I help sellers evaluate those issues before they put the […]






























