Have you been thinking about whether this is the right year to buy a home? Maybe you’ve weighed the convenience of renting against the opportunity of ownership. Renting can sometimes feel easier, but the truth is that it rarely pays you back. When you choose ownership, your money begins working for you. The Real Benefits […]
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of experience, I created this blog to help buyers, sellers, investors, and homeowners separate reliable guidance from outdated advice and real estate myths.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.
Buyers Have More Negotiation Power – Here’s How To Use It
You have probably noticed a shift in the real estate world. Homes are taking a little longer to sell, and sellers are starting to listen more carefully to buyers. That means buyers have more negotiation power today than they did in recent years. But here is the truth: having power is one thing, using it […]
#1 Thing Sellers Need To Know About Their Asking Price
When it comes to selling your home, there is one critical piece of information that will determine whether your experience feels smooth and successful or stressful and drawn out. The #1 Thing Sellers Need To Know About Their Asking Price is that it must be set strategically, not emotionally. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR and Broker […]
Pre-Listing Inspection May Be Worth It
Selling a home is never a small task. Every choice you make influences how smoothly the process goes, how buyers respond, and ultimately how much you walk away with at the closing table. One of the smartest steps you can take before putting your property on the market is considering a pre-listing inspection. A pre-listing […]
Which Comes First? The Agent or The House?
When people first decide they want to buy a home, one of the first questions that comes to mind is this: Which Comes First? The Agent or The House? This is not just a casual thought, it is a decision that can determine the entire course of your real estate experience. Some may think it […]
Housing Inventory Remains Far Below Crash Levels
Want to know the real reason you don’t need to be worried that we’re building too many homes right now? This is it: housing inventory remains far below crash levels. No matter what you are reading or hearing, the truth is that we do not have enough homes to create the type of oversupply that […]
Is it a good time to buy a condominium?
Is it a good time to buy a condominium? The short answer is yes, and the reasoning might surprise you. Everyone loves the idea of waiting for the “perfect time” to make a move in real estate, but the truth is that perfect timing is usually a mirage. The best opportunities come when fewer people […]
The Housing Market Recovery Is Expected Going Into Next Year
If you tried to sell your house this year but couldn’t get the price you were hoping for, you’re not alone. Many sellers have felt that same sting of disappointment, and it is only natural to wonder if you missed your chance. Maybe you feel like today’s market let you down. But here’s what you […]
Thinking Of Selling Your Investment Property
If you are thinking of selling your investment property, you need a clear plan and the right professional at your side. I am Robbie English, REALTOR and Broker at Uncommon Realty, and for decades I have helped clients make sound, profitable decisions with their real estate assets. When it comes to this type of sale, […]
Paused Your Moving Plans? It Might Be Time To Hit Play Again
If you paused your moving plans, it might be time to hit play again. Life does not stand still, and neither does real estate. Whether you hit the pause button out of caution, uncertainty, or the overwhelming details of making a move, today’s environment may look far different from when you last considered making a […]
Buy When Prices Are Low and Refinance When Rates Are Low
Buying real estate is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make. The challenge is knowing when to buy and how to use the market to your advantage. The phrase “buy when prices are low and refinance when rates are low” captures a strategy that can change your long-term financial picture. Instead of […]
Buyers Finally Have Time Again To Make A Confident Decision
If you tried to buy a home in recent years, you probably still feel the weight of how overwhelming it was. Homes were flying off the market almost instantly. Buyers had to rush into showings, make split-second offers, and in many cases submit contracts without ever seeing the home in person. For many, that pace […]
Does Your Current Home Fit Your Retirement Plans?
Retirement is not simply a chapter you arrive at, it is the stage where the years of working, saving, and striving begin to pay off in meaningful ways. It is the time when you finally take control of your days, choose what matters most to you, and design a life that reflects the freedom you […]
Why Overpricing Your House Can Cost You
https://www.robbieenglish.com/about/robbie/you want to sell your home, the question of how much to ask can feel like the most important decision of all. I’ll tell you right now: it is. Your pricing strategy sets the tone for every interaction with potential buyers, and it shapes the way your property is perceived the moment it hits the […]
How to Price Your Rental Property
Deciding how to price your rental property is one of the most important steps in maximizing your investment returns. Price it too high, and you risk long vacancies. Price it too low, and you leave money on the table. I’ve worked with countless Central Texas property owners who face this very dilemma. Finding the right […]
Ways To Make an Offer That Stands Out
In real estate, there is a lot of talk about timing, presentation, and negotiations. But when it comes down to winning a home in a competitive market, the real question is this: how do you craft an offer that doesn’t just land on the seller’s desk but truly stands apart? If you have been wondering […]
Is It Time To Put Your House Back on the Market?
If you paused your home sale in late 2024, you’re not alone. Many homeowners hit the pause button for different reasons: slow offers, the stress of listing during the holidays, or just wanting to see if the market would shift in their favor. But now, as the seasons change, it’s time to ask the question […]
If Your Home Hasn’t Sold Yet… Definitely Check the Price!
Selling a home should feel exciting. The sign goes up, the listing goes live, and you wait for buyers to flood in with offers. But what happens if days turn into weeks and the offers never arrive? If your home hasn’t sold yet… definitely check the price! This is often the first place to look […]
Sellers Beware: More Contracts Are Falling Through
When you sell your house, the last thing you want is to watch your contract collapse right before closing. Sellers beware that more contracts are falling through, and if you are not prepared, you may find yourself back at square one with lost time, added stress, and wasted opportunity. That is exactly why working with […]
Secret To Selling Your House in Today’s Market
The secret to selling your house in today’s market begins with recognizing that buyers have been circling the market for years now, waiting for their chance. Many of them have been searching for homes for at least two years, watching as prices eased while interest rates stayed stubbornly high. They are cautious, and they are […]
People Are Buying Homes; Don’t Believe The Media
If you’ve been watching headlines and thinking the market has frozen, here’s the truth: people are buying homes; don’t believe the media. Despite stories about softening sales and fluctuating interest rates, motivated buyers have been actively searching for their next home for at least two years. They’ve been waiting, watching prices decline, and monitoring interest […]
Why Would I Move with a Low Mortgage Rate?
If you’ve been holding onto a mortgage rate around 3%, it’s natural to hesitate at the thought of moving. You might even find yourself thinking, “Why would I move with a low mortgage rate?” I get it, and it’s a question that many homeowners wrestle with. But here’s the thing: sometimes holding onto a great […]
Why More Sellers Are Choosing To Move, Even with Today’s Rates
If you’re hesitating to sell your home because of interest rates, you’re not alone. But there’s a growing trend that’s worth paying attention to: more sellers are choosing to move, even with today’s rates. Homeowners are weighing the real cost of staying put against the benefits of upgrading, downsizing, or relocating. Robbie English, REALTOR and […]
Your Home Didn’t Sell So Here Is What To Do
When your home sits on the market and fails to sell, it can feel like a personal failure. You’ve invested time, money, and emotional energy into preparing your property, sharing the news with friends, and hoping for a smooth transaction. Now, your listing has expired with no buyer, and you’re left asking: what went wrong? […]
Buying and Selling At The Same Time
Buying and selling at the same time can feel like trying to thread a needle in a moving car. It’s exciting, nerve-wracking, and requires more than just good timing—it demands strategy. I have seen countless clients wrestle with the decision of whether to find their next home first or sell their current one before making […]
Homebuyer Search Term Reaches 2-Year High
Homebuyer search term reaches 2 year high, and that is not just an interesting headline—it is a real shift in buyer behavior. For more than two years, homebuyers have been steadily watching the market, often from the sidelines. Prices have softened in many areas, yet interest rates have remained stubbornly high. It has been a […]
Where Are Home Prices Heading?
For the last couple of years, I have watched buyers pace the sidelines, scrolling through listings, walking through open houses, and hesitating at the thought of making an offer. Many have been searching for over two years, waiting for that “perfect” moment when home prices drop and interest rates tumble. The question on everyone’s mind […]
Advice for First Time Homebuyers
If you have been watching the housing market for the past couple of years, you already know how tempting it is to wait for that perfect moment to buy. Prices have been inching down while interest rates remain high, and many buyers have been circling, watching, and waiting. But here is the truth: the best […]
Why Selling Without an Agent Can Cost You
When it comes time to sell your house, the idea of skipping the agent and pocketing the commission might sound appealing. After all, who doesn’t want to save a little cash? But here’s where it gets real: why selling without an agent can cost you is more than just a catchy phrase, it’s a financial […]
How clean should my house be for showings?
You’ve made the decision to sell your home. Now comes the question that sellers often ask: how clean should my house be for showings? The answer? Cleaner than you think. Your home’s first impression is permanent. Buyers make decisions quickly. Before they even consider the layout, upgrades, or potential, they notice the way your home […]
