Cap rate can make a property look cheap, safe, or wildly overpriced in about five seconds. But that quick number only helps when you know what sits behind it. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker, and I’ve spent more than 40 years helping Texans weigh property choices. Here are the main cap rate real estate options […]
How Much Does It Cost To Repair Concrete Cancer?
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Concrete Cancer in a Pool? This article explains why there is no universal price for repairing concrete cancer in a swimming pool. Repair costs depend on the diagnosis, the extent of damage, engineering recommendations, repair method, finish replacement, plumbing, equipment, permits, and whether rebuilding is the better […]
Austin Neighborhoods With Strong Resale Value
The Austin ZIP code with the sharpest five-year price increase isn’t the one with the highest home values. Here are four Austin areas worth studying, plus the broker perspective I use when I help a buyer weigh resale demand against price and risk. *** Table of Contents Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker 78732 ZIP Code, Strong […]
Fourplex Options for Sale in Austin
Buying a fourplex in Austin can look like a smart way to spread rental risk across four doors. But public listing data is thin. One video mentions a $190,000 purchase, yet gives no verified address, unit details, or listing record. I’d treat that figure as a clue, not a deal. Here are the Austin-area options […]
Is House Hacking Worth It in 2026?
House hacking can cut your housing cost, but it won’t make every property a good deal. One case-study set found a $285,000 home rented by the room produced $670 in monthly cash flow, while a $380,000 triplex lost $200 each month. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty, and I’ll show you how to […]
Can Concrete Cancer in a Pool Be Repaired?
When a swimming pool has been diagnosed with concrete cancer, one of the first questions is whether it can be repaired or whether the pool must be torn out and rebuilt. The honest answer is that there is no universal repair that works for every affected pool.Concrete cancer is the informal name commonly used in […]
Owner Occupied Multifamily Loans in Texas
An owner occupied multifamily loan in Texas can let you buy a property with up to four units while living in one of them. FHA financing may allow 3.5% down, while eligible veterans may qualify for a VA loan with no down payment. I’ll explain the main paths, the rules that can stop a deal, […]
Seller Blind Spots: What You Stop Seeing in Your Own Home
One of the hardest things about getting a home ready for the market is that the seller knows the house too well. That may sound backwards, but familiarity changes what we notice. We all get used to the rooms we live in, the way the house smells, the things we leave on the counter, the […]
Pool Inspection vs. Home Inspection: What Austin Area Buyers Need to Know
When you are buying a home with a swimming pool, it is easy to assume the regular home inspection will cover everything. Sometimes it covers more than buyers expect. Other times, the pool portion is limited to a basic visual review and operation of readily accessible equipment.The difference matters because a pool is not one […]
Austin Real Estate Market: 2026 Outlook
The Austin housing market is showing two truths at once. Prices have settled from the boom, yet high inventory still gives buyers room to negotiate. I’ll explain what the numbers mean for buyers, sellers, renters, and investors, then show you how I’d use local data before making a move. Table of Contents What the Austin […]
Renting Out an ADU in Austin: What to Know
Yes, you may be able to rent out an ADU in Austin, but the answer depends on the unit’s legal status and rental plan. Long-term leases are usually simpler than short stays, while zoning, permits, HOA rules, insurance, and taxes still need a careful review. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty, and I’d […]
Why Showing Your Home Is an Inconvenience You Actually Want
One of the hardest adjustments for sellers is realizing that putting a home on the market means their normal routine is about to get disrupted. Buyers want to come through at inconvenient times. The house has to stay cleaner than usual. Pets need to be managed. Meals, work schedules, children, appointments, and quiet evenings at […]
You Have to Sell Your Home Four Times in One Transaction
One of the things I tell sellers at a listing appointment is that they may have to sell their home four different times before we ever make it to the closing table. That usually gets a puzzled look because most people naturally think a house is sold when a buyer makes an offer and everybody […]
Walkable Neighborhoods in Austin: 5 Areas to Compare
Austin’s walkability changes fast from one street to the next. Rainey Street and Downtown score 94, while South Lamar scores 71, so the right address matters more than a broad neighborhood label. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty, and I’ve spent over 40 years helping buyers compare location, housing, and daily life. Here […]
Austin Neighborhoods for Pet Owners
If you thought Austin’s pet-friendly neighborhoods were all priced alike, the numbers tell a different story. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker, and I’ve compared six areas through a pet-owner lens, while separating verified facts from details you still need to check in person. Mueller and central Austin areas bring daily walkability closer to home. Dripping […]
Austin Real Estate Agents for Buyers and Sellers
Austin real estate can feel strange right now. Homes may sit longer while prices hold in some areas, and the right agent needs to explain that gap without making promises. I’m Robbie English, Broker, REALTOR at Uncommon Realty, and I’ve spent over 40 years in Texas real estate. Here are the main types of Austin […]
Austin Property Tax Rates by Area
Austin property taxes can change the monthly cost of a home more than many buyers expect. The rate depends on the address, not only the city name or list price. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty, and after more than 40 years in real estate, I still tell buyers to check the full […]
Do You Have to Sign a Buyer Agreement Before a Showing in Texas?
If you are wondering, “Do I have to sign an agreement with a Realtor to see a house in Texas?”, the simple answer is yes, in most private-showing situations involving a residential buyer and a Texas real estate license holder. As of January 1, 2026, Texas law requires a written agreement before a license holder […]
Your Home Is for Sale. Now Someone Has to Want to Buy It
There is a moment in almost every listing conversation when I need a seller to look at their home a little differently. It is still the place where they wake up in the morning, make dinner, let the dogs out, pile the mail on the counter, and live their normal life. But once they decide […]
How To Inspect A Pool Before Buying A Home
A swimming pool can be one of the reasons you fall in love with a home. It can also become one of the most expensive parts of the property when the structure, equipment, plumbing, electrical system, or safety features have been neglected.The pool may look beautiful during a showing, especially when the water is clear […]
Selling Your Home: Before You Can Move On, Someone Has to Move In
Most sellers put a home on the market because they are trying to get somewhere else. Maybe they are moving across town, relocating for work, downsizing, buying something larger, retiring, getting closer to family, or simply ready for something different. Whatever the reason, selling your home is usually not the final goal. It is one […]
Adverse Possession Texas: How to Claim Property in Texas
Could a fence, years of use, and a stack of records ever lead to a Texas property claim? Maybe, but time alone won’t do it. In Texas, you usually need ten years of continuous possession before the affidavit process begins, then title may vest after five more years if no qualifying heir objects. I’m Robbie […]
Duplexes for Sale Austin TX
Austin duplex prices don’t follow a neat bigger-means-more rule. One three-bedroom option is listed at $360,000, while a five-bedroom property is listed at $330,000. I pulled together the named listings and property types worth comparing, plus the financing and due diligence questions that can save you from a bad deal. Table of Contents 1. Robbie […]
Common Signs of Concrete Cancer in a Pool
When a homeowner or buyer sees a crack in a swimming pool, it is easy to jump straight to the worst possible conclusion. With all the recent attention surrounding “concrete cancer” in Central Texas pools, even a small mark in the plaster can suddenly feel like evidence of a major structural failure. The truth is […]
How to Find Austin Open Houses and Tour Them
A busy open-house day can leave you with plenty of impressions and very little useful information. I use a simple process instead: define your needs, build a route, inspect the home past its staging, then compare facts before deciding. These steps will help you tour Austin open houses with a clear head and fewer surprises. […]
Why It’s Okay Not to Know Exactly What You Want in a Home
Uncertainty is not a weakness. It is often the starting point for a thoughtful search that teaches you what matters. Most Buyers Begin With Incomplete Information Online photographs can help you imagine a home, but they cannot show how the layout feels, how the street sounds, or whether the commute changes your week. You learn […]
Questions Every Buyer Should Answer Before Looking at Homes
You do not need every answer before you begin, but a few honest questions can save time and make each showing more useful. What Is This Move Supposed to Improve? Begin with the reason behind the move. More space is not the same goal as being closer to work. A different school area is not […]
The Emotional Side of Buying a Home: Managing Stress and Confidence
Buying a home is often described as exciting, and it certainly can be. It can also be stressful, confusing, exhausting, and deeply emotional because you are not simply choosing a property. You may be choosing where you will wake up every morning, how much of your income will go toward housing, how far you will […]
What Is Concrete Cancer in a Swimming Pool?
When people hear the phrase “concrete cancer” connected to a swimming pool, it sounds frightening. It can make a homeowner wonder whether the pool is about to fail, and it can make a buyer question whether a home should be removed from consideration altogether.The first thing to understand is that concrete cancer is a nickname, […]
Selling a Home Without Losing Your Mind (or Your Relationship)
Selling a home can be exciting, but it can also put a surprising amount of pressure on the people living through it. What begins as a practical decision about price, timing, repairs, and moving can quickly become a daily source of stress. There are appointments to schedule, belongings to pack, decisions to make, strangers walking […]
