Most sellers interview one agent, maybe two, and pick whoever they liked best in the meeting. That’s not enough information to base a decision on. The agent you choose controls your price strategy, your marketing, and how many headaches you deal with between now and closing. A short list of pointed questions in that first […]
Is AI Replacing Home Appraisers?
Artificial intelligence is changing residential real estate, but the idea that a computer is simply replacing every home appraiser is much too neat for what is actually happening. Technology can collect data, identify patterns, review reports, recognize images, estimate values, and help determine whether certain eligible mortgage loans require a traditional appraisal. What technology cannot […]
New Home Appraisal Report Changes in 2026: What Buyers, Sellers, and Homeowners Need to Know
A major residential appraisal reporting change is already entering the mortgage market. The new UAD 3.6 standard and redesigned Uniform Residential Appraisal Report will change how appraisal information is organized, displayed, and delivered, but it does not replace the appraiser’s professional judgment or rewrite the basic meaning of market value. My name is Robbie English, […]
Introducing the Real Estate Resource Center by Robbie English
There is no shortage of real estate information online. You can find market predictions, home improvement opinions, financing explanations, neighborhood rankings, investment advice, and plenty of people telling you what you should do next. The problem is not finding information. The problem is knowing which information is dependable, which advice applies to your situation, and […]
What’s the Difference Between Condos and Houses in Austin? As Asked On Reddit
Buying a home in Austin brings one of the biggest decisions y’all will make before you ever write an offer: choosing between a condominium and a traditional house. When people search for condo vs house Austin TX as asked on Reddit, they usually want a quick answer. The truth is that there is no single […]
How Do I Sell An Inherited Property In Austin
If you are asking yourself how do I sell an inherited property in Austin, you are not alone, and you are not wrong to pause before making a move. Inherited property comes with emotion, legal steps, tax considerations, and market realities that do not show up in a standard home sale. Austin adds another layer […]
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Buying A Condo In Austin
Condos can be an incredible fit for the right Austin buyer, and a frustrating mismatch for the wrong one. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty. Here’s what to actually weigh before you sign anything. TLDR (Too Long; Didn’t Read): What Are The Pros And Cons Of Buying A Condo In Austin Condos in […]
Texas Open House Law Change in 2026
The Texas open house law change in 2026 has altered the way Texans experience open houses, and nowhere is that shift more noticeable than in Austin. What was once a casual, accessible way for buyers to explore homes has become a more structured and, at times, frustrating process for consumers and sellers alike. The conversation […]
Rising HOA Fees Are Hurting Resales: What To Know
Buying or owning a home in Austin often comes with a line item that feels small at first, then quietly grows into something much louder over time. That line item is the homeowners association fee, and if you are asking why HOA fees are rising and what homeowners need to know, you are not alone. […]
Do Luxury Homes Need Different Marketing Strategies In Austin
Luxury buyers in Austin move differently than the general market, so the question of whether luxury homes need different marketing isn’t really about “elevated storytelling,” it’s about who’s actually looking and how they find homes. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty. Here’s what actually changes once a listing crosses into luxury territory. TLDR: […]
How competitive is the Austin real estate market right now?
How competitive is the Austin real estate market right now? Less than the 2021-2022 frenzy, but it’s not soft either, it depends heavily on price and neighborhood. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty. Here’s what the actual numbers say. TLDR: How Competitive Is The Austin Market Right Now? Austin’s median sale price is […]
Are people still moving to Austin?
Are people still moving to Austin? That question shows up in conversations with buyers, sellers, renters, business owners, and long-time locals more than just about anything else I hear these days. It comes up at kitchen tables, during listing appointments, and even at coffee shops when folks find out what I do for a living. […]
Is Austin in a buyer’s market or seller’s market?
Is Austin in a buyer’s market or seller’s market? That question has become one of the most talked about topics across Central Texas, and it is on the minds of buyers, sellers, and investors who want to understand what is really happening beneath the surface. I have heard it from folks relocating to Austin, from […]
Why are homes sitting longer in Austin TX?
Why are homes sitting longer in Austin TX? It is a question y’all hear more often these days as the rhythm of the Central Texas market shifts and buyers take a slower stroll through their options. Austin has always marched to its own beat, and its real estate market reflects that unique spirit. The city […]
Is Opendoor better than using a REALTOR?
Is Opendoor better than using a REALTOR? That question lands on my desk almost every week, and it deserves a straight answer from someone who lives and breathes Texas real estate. I am Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty, and I have watched sellers wrestle with the promise of speed versus the payoff of […]
What is the 20% rule in real estate?
What is the 20% rule in real estate? That question comes up every week in conversations with buyers, sellers, and investors across Central Texas, and for good reason. The rule touches everything, how much cash you bring to the table, how you measure value, and how you decide when to hold or sell. I’m Robbie […]
Why are so many friends becoming “Realtors” in the last two months?
If you have been scrolling your phone lately and caught yourself asking why are so many friends becoming “Realtors” in the last two months, you are not alone. I saw that exact question on Reddit and it stuck with me. It hit a nerve because it captures the mood of the moment, curiosity mixed with […]
Do You Have to Sign a Buyer Agreement Before a Showing in Texas?
Yes. Since January 1, 2026, a Texas real estate agent has to get a signed written agreement with you before they can show you a home, and that catches a lot of buyers off guard the first time they try to just “go look” at a house. It’s not a scare tactic or a sales […]
How do I stand out among other offers?
Y’all already know that competition in Texas real estate can heat up fast, but nothing feels hotter than the moment you ask yourself, How do I stand out among other offers? Buyers feel that pressure every single day, especially here in Central Texas where homes move quickly and strong demand pushes folks to think more […]
Zillow Steers Home Buyers To Higher Commission Deals: What You Don’t Know
When folks start searching online for homes, they often trust what they see on the biggest real estate portals, and many never stop to question what happens behind the scenes. This is where things get messy. Zillow allegedly steers home buyers to higher commission deals has become a serious conversation across the country and right […]
How Do I Know If My REALTOR Is Acting In My Best Interest Or Just Pushing Me To Bid Higher?
When folks begin the home buying process, they often ask, “How do I know if my REALTOR is acting in my best interest or just pushing me to bid higher?” That question matters, and it should. You deserve clarity, confidence, and someone who knows what they are doing at your side. You should never feel […]
Buying Land: How Do I Find The Right Buyer’s Agent?
Y’all already know that buying land is one of the most exciting real estate steps you can take, but many people stop in their tracks when they start wondering about “Buying land, how do I find the right buyer’s agent?”. The answer sits right in the expertise of Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty, […]
Why Does Anyone Buy From A Wholesaler
When folks start asking why does anyone buy from a wholesaler, they usually come from a place of confusion, curiosity, or frustration. The truth is that most sellers have heard mixed messages about wholesalers, and many do not know how these transactions really work until they land in the middle of one. I have seen […]
What Exactly Is My REALTOR’s Job And How Do I Know If I’ve Got A Good One
Y’all would be surprised how often folks wonder, what exactly is my REALTOR’s job and how do I know if I’ve got a good one? It is a fair question, and it is one that deserves a clear answer because choosing the right professional shapes your entire real estate experience. When you work with me, […]
What Is The Point Of A REALTOR?
When folks ask me what is the point of a REALTOR, I know they are really asking a deeper question about value, trust, and expertise. They want to understand why choosing the right professional shapes the entire experience, from the first conversation all the way through closing. I am Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker with Uncommon […]
Why Does Everyone Hate REALTORS?
When I was growing up, I used to hear people say they hated attorneys. That always struck a nerve because my daddy was an attorney, and I knew firsthand the dedication, hard work, and sacrifice that went into serving others through the law. I learned to not take those comments personally because I understood that […]
Help Me Understand Why Real Estate Agent Compensation Works
Real estate agent compensation confuses almost everyone who hasn’t been through a transaction before. Here’s what actually matters: you’re not paying a flat percentage for a person’s time. You’re paying for the outcome of a process that carries real financial and legal stakes, managed by someone who does this every day and absorbs the risk […]
How Do I Know a Real Estate Agent Is Being Honest, Transparent and True?
When you’re making one of the biggest financial moves of your life, trust is everything. The question, “How do I know a real estate agent is being honest, transparent and true?” isn’t just valid, it’s vital. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker, and leader of Uncommon Realty, and I’ve spent decades helping Texans make smart real […]
Why Is Real Estate Weird?
Real estate is a funny thing, isn’t it? One moment it’s all about numbers, contracts, and square footage, and the next it’s about emotions, dreams, and deeply personal decisions. You might be wondering, why is real estate weird? The answer lies in people. Every person is unique. Every person has wants, needs, fears, and aspirations […]
Understanding What Market Shifts Means For You As A Seller
Markets do not stay the same forever. They move. Sometimes they sprint. Sometimes they crawl. Right now, more sellers are learning what these changes look like in real time. Homes may sit a little longer. Offers might come in lower than you hoped. Negotiations, once simple for sellers, feel heavier. Understanding what market shifts mean […]
