The House Nextdoor - Where Real Estate and Real Life Meet

Anthony Harris & Barbara Giglio
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Entrepreneurship

Welcome to The Home Nextdoor, a podcast where real estate and real life come together. We’re two Central Texas Realtors working side by side at Realty Austin | Compass  and we’re here to share stories, insights, and conversations that go beyond the closing table. From navigating the fast-changing Texas housing market to balancing family, friendships, and the everyday ups and downs of life, we bring you real talk with a neighborly touch. Whether you’re a homeowner, future buyer, fellow Realtor, or just curious about what life is like in Central Texas, pull up a chair—we saved you a seat nextdoor!

  1. 2d ago ·  Video

    Why Do Realtors Get A Bad Rap and We Hate Admitting We Are Realtors at an Event?

    Send us Fan Mail Realtor reputation is a weird thing to carry around, especially when you genuinely love helping people buy and sell homes. We get real about the moment someone asks, “So what do you do?” and you feel that tiny urge to apologize before saying “realtor.” That reaction doesn’t come from nowhere, and we unpack the exact behaviors that make consumers doubt real estate agents, from salesy networking to the sense that every interaction is just a lead grab.  We dig into how real estate marketing and social media have changed the industry for the worse: viral skits that replace actual expertise, agents touring luxury homes that aren’t their listings, and big claims like “neighborhood expert” with nothing to back it up. Then we go after the “top producer” and awards culture, and why volume doesn’t always mean great service. We also talk about the low barrier to entry, commission chasing, and the ego that shows up as combative negotiation, ghosted messages, and terrible communication between agents.  From there, we switch to what clients actually want from a great realtor: returned calls, clear timelines, contract knowledge, and negotiation that’s calm and strategic instead of loud. We share how to rebuild trust with honesty over hype, value-driven content, and the willingness to tell someone not to buy or not to sell when it’s the right call. We even debate pop by gifts and door knocking, then wrap with a “good realtor or red flag” game that’s painfully relatable.  If you’ve ever wondered what makes a real estate agent feel trustworthy, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What’s the biggest realtor red flag you’ve seen in the wild? https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

  2. Sep 2 ·  Video

    AI In Real Estate Without the Hype and ReSetting the Dimension

    Send us Fan Mail Time feels like it is speeding up, AI is suddenly everywhere, and somehow we end up connecting it all back to real estate, stress, and the choices we make every day. We kick things off with some playful talk and a mortgage joke, then we get into the real question: how are agents and consumers actually using tools like ChatGPT, and where does it start to get risky? We share the real estate workflows where AI genuinely helps us: drafting cleaner listing descriptions in our own voice, tightening negotiation emails, and organizing outreach so we can focus on people instead of busywork. Anthony explains how AI can put a “fancy bow” on an offer explanation while we still provide the comps, the context, and the strategy. We also talk about brokerage AI assistants that scan your database and activity, and why we try to use those insights without being invasive or creepy. Then we draw hard boundaries around privacy and trust. We talk about why we would never paste a contract into an open AI tool, why clients uploading an inspection report can backfire, and why cross-checking sources matters when the stakes are high. We also get into the bigger cultural shift: when people start asking AI what to do today, how to handle burnout, or even how to manage relationships, are we using a tool or quietly handing over our judgment? If you like practical, honest conversations about AI in real estate, real estate marketing, and protecting the human element, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the show. https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

    AI In Real Estate Without the Hype and ReSetting the Dimension

  3. Aug 26 ·  Video

    Mystery Wives, Runaway Goats, And Closing Day Chaos

    Send us Fan Mail A real estate closing can look like a few signatures and a set of keys, but the truth is that title work is where deals either get protected or fall apart. We sit down with Diane Myers from Community National Title (CNAT), a 24-year title pro, to talk about the behind-the-scenes reality of title insurance, escrow coordination, and what it takes to guide buyers and sellers through the most high-stakes moment of the transaction. We get into the parts most people never hear about: estate sales that turn into heirship puzzles, families discovering unexpected heirs, and the hard lesson that having a will does not automatically mean you can transfer property without the right probate and documentation. Diane also shares the human side of the job, where closers sometimes become de facto therapists during divorce closings, tense signings, and stressful money conversations. Along the way, we talk fraud red flags, why some files have to be declined, and how the best title teams stay calm while juggling agents, lenders, surveyors, attorneys, and anxious clients who all need answers right now. Then the story flips to Diane’s second life after hours. When the phones stop ringing, she drives home to Luling, Texas, to a farm with 19 animals, including a pony named Ripley who immediately escaped, a “Big Horse” who basically moved in, goats with their own drama, and chickens that produce fresh eggs she gives out at closings. And yes, she even shares a ghost story about a gentle “grandma” presence in an old parsonage that seemed to sabotage renovations by breaking pipes. If you like real estate stories that are funny, honest, and actually useful, this one delivers. Subscribe, share it with your favorite agent or first-time homebuyer, and leave us a review with your wildest closing story or your biggest title question. https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

  4. Aug 19 ·  Video

    No Real Estate Today - Just Our Unpopular Opinions Agree With Us Or Disagree

    Send us Fan Mail Some opinions are harmless until you say them out loud and suddenly you’re risking your friendships, your group chat, and maybe your entire reputation. We decide to do exactly that, sharing our most unpopular opinions with zero politics and just enough self awareness to admit we’re judging a little. The result is a fast, funny conversation that feels like hanging out with friends who are brave enough to be honest and curious enough to laugh at themselves.  We bounce through “sports” hot takes that range from baffled to fully committed. Yes, hobby horse competitions are real, and yes, we have questions about how it became an international thing. We also vent about college football culture, the way fandom can hijack calendars and social plans, and why the obsession is hard to relate to if you don’t watch sports. Formula One comes up too, including the price tag, the Austin impact, and the very relatable moment of realizing you don’t even know what the track looks like.  Then we get personal with lifestyle debates people actually argue about: does listening to an audiobook count as reading, are calls ever better than texts, and why speakerphone in public should be a social misdemeanor. We add strong feelings on Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, pumpkin spice fatigue, Starbucks frustration and tipping expectations, and even the correct way to drink beer and wine. We close with travel shaming, modern country music, and an unexpected detour into Disney adults through the surprisingly addictive world of Disney pin trading and collectibles.  If you like unpopular opinions podcasts, lifestyle debates, and funny culture commentary, hit play, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave us a review. What’s your most unpopular opinion that you’ll defend forever? https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

  5. Aug 12 ·  Video

    Central Texas Summer Reset - We talk slowing down and our favorite spots

    Send us Fan Mail Summer isn’t supposed to feel like a sprint, so why does it keep turning into one? We’re feeling that same “pressure cooker” pace you might be living in right now, where the calendar stays full, the phone never stops, and somehow you still end the day thinking you’re behind. So we hit pause on real estate and talk about something just as real: how to slow down and actually enjoy Central Texas summer. We trade stories about reclaiming time, from a Fourth of July beach reset to a small-town Smithville stroll with parades, watermelon, and zero rush. We dig into the mindset shift that makes a difference fast: setting expectations, letting things wait until Monday, and noticing that the world keeps spinning. If you’ve been craving a digital detox, a more present weekend, or simply a reminder that you don’t have to do it all, this conversation is your permission slip. Then we get practical with a packed list of easy getaways and day trips near Austin: free outdoor musicals at Zilker Hillside Theater, slow brunch-and-shop afternoons in San Marcos, antique hunting and a cocktail stop in Round Top, and a bigger change of scenery in San Antonio at the River Walk and the Pearl District. These are the kinds of simple plans that help you breathe without dealing with flights, airports, or a massive itinerary. If this gave you even one idea for your next “unscheduled” day, subscribe, share the show with a friend who needs a break, and leave a review so more people can find us. Where are you going to slow down first? https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

  6. Aug 5 ·  Video

    New Home Sales, Starting Over, and Nailed Down Wood Floors

    Send us Fan Mail A lot of people say they “love real estate,” but they rarely talk about the parts that make you question everything: the late-night calls, the unpredictable schedule, the stress of building a pipeline from scratch, and the moment you realize you need real stability for your family. We’re joined by Amy Marino, who shares how she found her way into real estate after divorce and why she ultimately chose new home sales as the right lane for her career, finances, and peace of mind.  We get honest about the real differences between being a realtor and working for a builder. Amy breaks down what the hours actually look like, how commission timing and “runway” can make or break a job, and why benefits like health insurance and a 401(k) can be a game-changer. If you’re researching a career in new construction sales, this conversation gives you a clear checklist: builder culture, comp structure, inventory on the ground, land for the next five years, and whether you truly believe in the product you’re selling.  Then we go deep on what buyers are craving in 2026 new construction homes, especially in the Austin and Central Texas luxury market: warmth, character, and quality details that feel timeless. Amy shares why Shaddock Homes has built a following with features like nail-down wood floors, solid wood doors, thoughtful trim work, and layouts that bring back privacy and separation without wasting space. We also talk about her “Merino Minute” videos, authenticity on social media, and why AI filters can never replace real trust.  If you enjoy real estate stories with practical takeaways and a little bit of spooky fun, you’ll want to hear Amy’s ghost story from a 100-year-old Oregon farmhouse. Subscribe for more, share this with a friend who’s considering new home sales, and leave us a review with the biggest takeaway you’re stealing for your own career. https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

  7. Jul 29 ·  Video

    Outside The Cookie Cutter When Real Estate Gets Spicy

    Send us Fan Mail That dream of a quiet Central Texas ranch can flip the moment a new highway, data center, or industrial site shows up on the map. We’re Anthony Harris and Barbara Giglio, and we’re digging into what it really takes to buy land and acreage around Austin and the surrounding corridor without getting surprised after closing. We talk through the due diligence we actually run when a buyer wants 25 to 30 plus acres for a retirement setup, a gentleman’s ranch, or a long-term homestead. That includes how to use TxDOT planning maps to spot future road widening and new intersections, how “industrial creep” happens with warehouses, quarries, concrete plants, substations, and truck traffic, and why a property that looks sleepy on a weekend can feel totally different during the work week. We also get into the practical realities behind water rights, wells, aquifers, and wastewater requirements, especially as growth and large projects put pressure on infrastructure. Then we cover the deal killers people miss: landlocked parcels, access easements that neighbors fight over, the real cost of bringing utilities across multiple properties, floodplain limitations, and the paperwork behind ag and wildlife exemptions that don’t automatically transfer. We wrap with a simple land checklist and a quick “red flag or not a big deal” round to help you think like a pro before you write an offer. Subscribe for more real-world Central Texas real estate talk, share this with a friend who’s shopping for land, and leave a review with the biggest red flag you want us to break down next. https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

    Outside The Cookie Cutter When Real Estate Gets Spicy

  8. Jul 22 ·  Video

    Behind the Curtain at Compass Real Estate

    Send us Fan Mail Your listing doesn’t have to “go live” to start selling. We’re joined by Amanda Dudley and John Coake from Compass Central Texas to talk about what happens behind the curtain when a brokerage mixes real human coaching with real marketing leverage and real data. We get into the culture piece first: why accessibility matters, what it’s like to move from agent to manager, and how the best support often looks like listening instead of fixing. From there we break down the three-phase marketing strategy agents use to create momentum before MLS, including private exclusives, networking across a nationwide agent base, and how early outreach can protect sellers from the stigma of days on market. Then we go tactical. We talk pricing with tools like Buyer Demand, why hyperlocal inventory pockets can still be hot in a “down” market, and how to translate market stats into a living-room conversation that clients actually understand. We also dig into Compass Cares and the local giving-back legacy focused on affordable housing, plus the leadership mindset that helps agents stay in the business long enough to win. We wrap with the lessons you only learn the hard way: the grind after your first “easy” closing, why Ninja Selling works for non-salesy people, and why it’s okay to part ways with the wrong client. Hit play, share this with an agent who needs a reset, and if you like what you hear, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what topic you want next. https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

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5
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About

Welcome to The Home Nextdoor, a podcast where real estate and real life come together. We’re two Central Texas Realtors working side by side at Realty Austin | Compass  and we’re here to share stories, insights, and conversations that go beyond the closing table. From navigating the fast-changing Texas housing market to balancing family, friendships, and the everyday ups and downs of life, we bring you real talk with a neighborly touch. Whether you’re a homeowner, future buyer, fellow Realtor, or just curious about what life is like in Central Texas, pull up a chair—we saved you a seat nextdoor!

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