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 […]
What FSBO Sellers Actually Give Up in Austin’s Market
Every year, a few sellers ask me to look at a home they tried to sell themselves first. The story is usually the same: it sat on Facebook Marketplace and a yard sign for six or eight weeks, the calls were mostly agents fishing for listings or buyers lowballing because they knew there was no […]
Best Real Estate Brokers in Austin
Finding the right broker in Austin is harder than it looks. There are hundreds of licensed agents here, and most of them look identical on paper. This shortlist cuts through that noise. Here are the top Austin real estate broker worth your time, who each one is best for, and what makes them different from […]
How Do I Buy a Home Without a Real Estate Agent?
Buying a home ranks among the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make, so if you’ve searched how to buy a home without a real estate agent, you’re probably weighing whether representation is actually worth it. I’m Robbie English, with Uncommon Realty, and I’d rather give you a straight answer than a sales pitch. […]
Who is Robbie English
When you’re buying or selling a home, you deserve more than someone who can unlock a door or fill in the blanks on a contract. My name is Robbie English. You deserve a trusted advisor who will educate you, guide you, and help you make confident decisions every step of the way. That philosophy has […]
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 […]
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 […]
Cost Of Buying A Home Without A Realtor
When people first start searching for answers about the cost of buying a home without a REALTOR, they usually expect a clean number and a confident conclusion. What they find instead is a maze of opinions, half answers, vague advice, and articles written by people who have never sat across the table from a nervous […]
Why does the entire industry of Realtors need to exist?
I saw this question on Reddit and I wanted to take a stab at answering “why does the entire industry of Realtors need to exist?” and the further thought of “couldn’t there just be listings websites?”. Being a real estate broker, myself I thought these questions were crazy but I had to read some of […]
Can I View a Home Without a Buyer Agreement in Texas?
Yes, you may be able to enter some homes without signing a full buyer representation agreement—but a Texas real estate license holder generally cannot give you a private residential showing unless an appropriate written agreement is already in place. That written agreement does not always have to make the agent your exclusive buyer’s representative. Depending […]
Texas Buyer Representation Agreements: The Complete Guide
If you are buying a home in Texas, one of the first decisions you now have to make happens before you ever walk through the front door of a property. You have to decide who is going to represent you. For a lot of buyers, that is where the hesitation starts. They may have spent […]
Buyer Agency Agreement VS Just Touring Homes In Texas
Buying a home in Texas just changed in a big way, and if you are planning to tour properties without a plan, you could be setting yourself up for frustration or worse. The phrase buyer agency agreement vs just touring homes in Texas is no longer some abstract industry debate. It is a practical, day-to-day […]
Why Would A Seller Refuse To Pay A Buyer’s Agent?
Y’all, let’s get right to it. The question of why would a seller refuse to pay a buyer’s agent has been floating around more and more. As you explore your selling options, you may find yourself wondering why this topic feels louder lately and why some sellers consider limiting or refusing compensation to the professional […]
How Do I Properly Vet a Real Estate Agent Before Selling?
Do you properly vet a real estate agent before signing a listing agreement? Most sellers skip this step entirely, then wonder later why the sale stalled or the price came in lower than expected. Vetting an agent isn’t complicated — it just takes asking the right questions and knowing what a good answer actually sounds […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 Most Sellers Hire Real Estate Agents
Selling your home is a major decision that can change the course of your future. It involves emotion, timing, money, and negotiation strategy all rolled into one significant transaction. That’s exactly why most sellers hire real estate agents, because in today’s fast-paced and ever-shifting market, working with a true professional means the difference between a […]
The Fall Buyer and Seller Guides Are Here
The Fall Buyer and Seller Guides are here, and there has never been a better time to prepare for your next real estate move. Whether you’re planning to purchase a home or sell one, success begins with preparation. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR and Broker at Uncommon Realty, and I’m here to help you make every […]
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 […]
Is It Worth Using a Real Estate Agent to Sell?
Selling a home is one of the most significant financial decisions most people will make. That alone raises a critical question: Is it worth using a real estate agent to sell? While some sellers consider going it alone, hoping to save money on commission, what they often miss are the costly mistakes and missed opportunities […]
How do I find the best local real estate agent?
If you’ve ever typed “how do I find the best local real estate agent?” into a search bar, chances are you’re already overwhelmed with options—and that’s completely normal. With so many people calling themselves real estate experts, it can feel impossible to know who’s actually qualified to guide you through one of the biggest financial […]
How to tell if a REALTOR is good?
When you’re buying or selling property, you’re not just engaging in a transaction. You’re trusting someone to protect your money, your time, and your peace of mind. So, it’s no surprise that many people ask, how to tell if a REALTOR is good? The stakes are too high to leave that question unanswered. As someone […]
How do I choose the best real estate agent?
Working with a real estate professional isn’t just about finding someone with a license—it’s about partnering with someone who understands how to turn the gears of a complex transaction in your favor. You may be asking yourself, how do I choose the best real estate agent? That question deserves a serious, informed answer—because choosing the […]
Real Estate is Not A One Size Fits All Industry
If you’ve spent even a few minutes looking at homes online or scrolling through listings, you’ve likely realized something—real estate is far from predictable. “Real Estate is Not A One Size Fits All Industry,” and that truth becomes evident the moment you step into the process as a buyer or seller. Add in today’s rapidly […]
Buying The Market
In real estate, there’s a term I use often: “buying the market.” It sounds like an investment strategy, but in reality, it’s a warning sign. It happens when a real estate agent tells a homeowner exactly what they want to hear about their home’s value just to secure the listing—regardless of whether that number is […]
Providing Homebuyer Feedback After a Showing
The expectation that buyers or their agents should provide feedback after a home showing needs to end. It serves no purpose for the buyer, puts their negotiating position at risk, and ultimately does nothing to help the seller. Yet, some listing agents persistently push for it, treating it as a necessity rather than what it […]
Continuing Education is Just as Important As Current Sales: Why It Matters for Your Real Estate Success
When hiring a real estate agent, many buyers and sellers focus solely on an agent’s past sales and current listings. But there’s something just as critical that often gets overlooked: continuing education. Continuing education is just as important as current sales when you are looking to hire a real estate agent or broker. It’s not […]
