Read Robbie English's Blog Articles

First Time Homebuyer Checklist

Buying your first home gets easier when each decision has a place on the page. This first time homebuyer checklist takes you from budget and pre-approval through Austin-area home searches, inspections, closing, and the first week in the house. I’m Robbie English, REALTOR, Broker at Uncommon Realty.

House Hacking Calculator: Estimate Monthly Savings

A house hacking calculator can show whether rental income will lower your housing cost or merely make a weak deal look better. The useful result is more than monthly cash flow. You need to see vacancy risk, repairs, taxes, loan costs, and the rent you would pay for your own space. I use the followin

2-1 Buydown: Costs, Rules, and When It Helps

Looking at a mortgage that eases you into payments? A 2-1 buydown drops the rate 2 % the first year and 1 % the second, then settles at the note rate. Below you’ll find the mechanics, cost breakdown, and the buyer scenarios where it actually adds value. Table of Contents What Is a 2-1 Buydown? How t

House Hacking Austin: A Practical Guide

Austin house hacking can start with a spare bedroom, a duplex, or a garage conversion that costs far less than buying a larger multifamily property. The right setup depends on your cash, privacy needs, financing, and the exact parcel. I’ll show you how to compare each path, check the rules, and test