If you have been hearing the term concrete cancer and wondering whether you should be worried about your swimming pool, you are not alone.This topic has become one of the biggest conversations in Central Texas real estate, but there is also a lot of confusion and misinformation surrounding it. That is exactly why I created […]
Greater Austin Real Estate Blog: Expert Advice and Local Insights
Looking for straightforward, practical real estate advice for Austin and the surrounding area? Welcome to my Greater Austin Real Estate Blog.
I’m Robbie English, Broker, REALTOR. With more than 40 years of experience, I created this blog to help buyers, sellers, investors, and homeowners separate reliable guidance from outdated advice and real estate myths.
Here you’ll find practical buying and selling tips, neighborhood guides, Austin housing market insights, and plain-English explanations of contracts, inspections, appraisals, negotiations, and investing. You’ll also learn what makes communities throughout Greater Austin unique—so you can make informed decisions with confidence.
No clickbait, gimmicks, or sensational predictions—just honest answers to real questions. I hope you’ll bookmark the blog, explore the articles, and return whenever you need trusted Greater Austin real estate guidance.
Your Guide to Burnet’s Oktoberfest and Plein Air Festival
Burnet actually has two separate Oktoberfests within a short drive of each other every fall — one in Marble Falls at Harmony Park, and this one, on Burnet’s own courthouse square, paired with an art festival most visitors don’t expect. Here’s what makes Burnet’s version worth knowing about on its own terms. Burnet’s Oktoberfest leans […]
Your Guide to Halloween in Austin
I get asked about Halloween more than you’d think for a real estate broker. Buyers touring homes in September and October will stop mid-showing and ask whether a street does anything for the holiday, or whether a neighborhood has a reputation for it. It’s a fair question. How a street handles one night in October […]
Your Guide to Llano Heritage Days
Llano’s fall calendar keeps going after the Music Fest, the Pumpkin Float, and Hunters Appreciation Day wrap up. Heritage Days is where the town leans hardest into its actual Western history, and it pairs two genuinely distinct events under one weekend. Llano Heritage Days is hosted by the Llano Historical Society and the Llano County […]
Concrete Cancer FAQ: Answers for Central Texas Pool Owners, Buyers, and Sellers
The phrase “concrete cancer” can create more fear than understanding. This FAQ is designed to answer the questions Central Texas buyers, sellers, and homeowners are most likely to ask about alkali-silica reaction, swimming-pool inspections, repairs, insurance, disclosure, home value, and real estate transactions. The answers are intentionally direct, but a short answer cannot replace evaluation […]
How to Lower Closing Costs on a Home Purchase
Closing costs can feel like a surprise bill that drains your cash right before you get the keys. The good news is most of those fees are negotiable or avoidable if you know where to look. Below is a step‑by‑step guide that shows exactly how to lower closing costs on your home purchase. Table of […]
How Backup Offers Work in Real Estate
You’ve found a home you love, but the seller’s contract is already pending. A backup offer lets you stay in the race without starting from scratch. In this guide, I’ll break down what a backup offer really is, how it moves into first position, the key terms you’ll see, the upside and downside for both […]
Your Guide to Halloween on Vaughan Street in Bertram
Bertram doesn’t show up in the Highland Lakes conversation as often as Burnet or Marble Falls, but it’s the town that hosted the original 1903 Burnet County Fair, and it still runs one of the region’s most genuinely community-built Halloween traditions. Here’s what Halloween on Vaughan Street actually is. TLDR (Too Long; Didn’t Read): Your […]
What to Look for During a Home Walkthrough
Walking through a home right before closing can feel like a final exam. One missed crack or a leaky faucet can turn joy into costly repairs. Here’s a step‑by‑step guide that shows exactly what to look for, how to test systems, and how to record any concerns. Table of Contents Step 1: Prepare Before You […]
How to Buy Land in Texas: A Step‑by‑Step Guide
I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker, and I know land deals can feel like a maze. This guide walks you through every step, so you can move forward with confidence. Table of Contents Step 1: Define Your Land’s Purpose and Set a Full Budget Step 2: Find a Parcel and Confirm Its Legal Access Step 3: […]
Understanding Concrete Cancer in Swimming Pools Without Panicking
If you have recently heard the phrase “concrete cancer” connected to swimming pools in Central Texas, you may feel like every crack is suddenly a warning that the entire pool must be demolished. That is not a helpful way to approach the subject. Concrete cancer is a real concern, and affected pools can require expensive […]
How Much Down Payment Do You Need for a House in Texas?
Most Texans think they need a 5% down payment, but the reality is far more flexible. The amount you actually need depends on the loan you qualify for, the price of the home, and any assistance you can tap into. Below is a plain‑spoken guide that walks you through each factor so you can plan […]
Your Guide to Wine, Dine & Jazz at Horseshoe Bay Resort
Horseshoe Bay Resort’s golf tournaments get most of the attention, but Wine, Dine & Jazz is the event that actually shows off what the resort does with food and hospitality when it isn’t thinking about a scorecard. It’s been running for more than two decades, and it’s worth understanding on its own terms. TLDR (Too […]
What a Real Estate Survey Means for Texas Home Buyers
Thinking about a Texas home? A land survey tells you exactly where the property lines sit and what sits on the lot. Here’s a straight‑forward guide that covers what a survey is, what it shows, the main types, when you should order one, and what to watch out for on price and scope. Table of […]
How to Sell and Buy a House at the Same Time
Selling one home while buying another can feel like a timing puzzle: you don’t want two mortgage payments, but you don’t want to sell and have nowhere to go. You can coordinate both deals by setting your financing plan first, choosing a sequence that fits your finances, and making the key dates work together. Table […]
How to Choose Affordable Austin Areas to Buy
Buying your first Austin-area home may be possible without taking on a payment that strains your budget. The key is to look beyond the list price and compare each neighborhood by property taxes, insurance, HOA dues, commute costs, loan terms, and any MUD or PID charges. As I would explain to a buyer sitting with […]
How to Choose an Austin Neighborhood to Buy
Buying your first Austin home gets easier when you stop chasing a perfect neighborhood and start weighing trade-offs. Price and distance from downtown don’t always move together, so I look at the full daily picture with each buyer. The phrase “best Austin neighborhoods for first-time buyers” sounds simple, but the right answer depends on your […]
How to Evaluate Austin Resale Value
Austin resale value can look strong on a spreadsheet and weak at the kitchen door. I’ve seen buyers focus on a citywide median, then miss the roof, tax bill, or competing homes that will shape their future sale. To evaluate resale value before buying in Austin, I start with local sales data, then test the […]
How to Negotiate Repairs After a Home Inspection in Texas
You’ve just got the inspection report in hand and the clock is ticking. If you want to keep the deal alive and avoid surprise costs, you need a clear plan. Below is a straightforward, Texas‑focused checklist that walks you through every move from reading the report to signing at closing. Table of Contents Step 1: […]
How to Maintain Your Pool to Help Prevent Future Concrete Problems
Good pool maintenance cannot guarantee that a concrete shell will never crack, move, leak, or develop alkali-silica reaction. Some problems begin with the original materials, engineering, construction, soil conditions, or workmanship. Once those conditions exist, ordinary maintenance may not be able to remove them. What regular maintenance can do is reduce avoidable stress, catch changes […]
Understanding MUD Taxes in Texas
Seeing “MUD” on a Texas property tax bill can feel confusing. It isn’t a hidden fee, it’s a tax that funds the water, sewer, and road infrastructure for the neighborhood you’re buying into. Below is a clear breakdown of what a MUD tax is, how it’s calculated, what it pays for, and what it means […]
Is a Home Warranty Worth It? A Practical Guide
Buying a home feels like a big leap. One question pops up fast:is a home warranty worth it? I’ll break down what a warranty actually does, how much it costs, when it helps, and how to pick the right plan for your Austin‑area house. Table of Contents What a Home Warranty Actually Covers The Real […]
Is Concrete Cancer Common in Central Texas Pools?
Concrete cancer has become a serious enough concern in Central Texas that buyers, sellers, pool owners, inspectors, engineers, and real estate professionals should understand it. That does not mean most Central Texas pools have the condition, and it does not mean a pool can be diagnosed based only on its age or location.The most accurate […]
Condo vs. Single-Family Home: How to Choose
Choosing between a condo and a single-family home comes down to more than the listing price. I look at the full monthly cost, your tolerance for upkeep, how long you may stay, and what the property could mean for your next move. In Austin, that matters even more because the available price data is clearer […]
How Much Are Property Taxes in Texas? A Practical Guide
Texas property taxes can feel like a surprise on your mortgage statement. The good news is you can predict the number and plan for it. Below is a step‑by‑step guide that breaks down what you’ll pay, how the bill is built, why it varies, and where you can shave dollars off. Table of Contents Texas […]
Step‑by‑Step Guide to Prepare Your Home for a Home Inspection
Got an inspection on the calendar? A tidy, accessible house with working systems and paperwork ready will keep the process smooth and the buyer happy. Below is a step‑by‑step guide that walks you through everything you need to do before the inspector walks through the front door. Table of Contents Step 1: Clean, Declutter, and […]
How to Write an Offer on a House in Texas
Ready to put a price on a Texas home? The paperwork can feel like a maze, but I break it down into five clear steps. Follow each step and you’ll hand the seller a solid, compliant offer that protects your interests. Table of Contents Step 1: Confirm Your Budget, Approval, and Offer Strategy Step 2: […]
Can A Pool Cause A Home Sale To Fall Apart?
A swimming pool can help sell a home, but it can also become the issue that brings a transaction to a stop. The problem is not always the pool itself. More often, the sale begins to unravel because buyers discover something they did not expect, the repair scope is unclear, the parties cannot agree on […]
Your Guide to Texas Wine Month in the Hill Country
People move to the Hill Country for the lakes first and figure out the wine country second. October is when that second part becomes impossible to ignore, and the Highland Lakes has more of it, closer to home, than most people realize. TLDR (Too Long; Didn’t Read): Your Guide to Texas Wine Month in the […]
Temporary Rate Buydown: Costs and Risks
A temporary rate buydown can make your first mortgage payments easier, but the lower payment does not last. I’ll explain how the math works, who usually funds it, which loans may allow it, and what happens when the payment reaches the full note rate. With over 40 years in Texas real estate, I’ve learned to […]
