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. 3d ago ·  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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Jun 24 ·  Video

    Respect Your Realtor

    Send us Fan Mail Ghost a showing, send 27 Zillow links at 2:30 a.m., or “test the market” with no real plan and you might be the reason your Realtor needs therapy. We’re Anthony Harris and Barbara Giglio, and we get candid about the real relationship behind a successful home sale or home purchase: mutual respect, clear communication, and basic human decency. We start with some light chaos, including a road trip reality check and a round of ghost stories, then we get into why “Respect Your Realtor” is more than a catchy title. Real estate agents are often on call nights and weekends, rearranging family time, doctor appointments, and other clients to make showings happen. And unlike many professions, we don’t get paid for effort. We get paid when the deal closes. That means we can spend weeks researching neighborhoods, pulling comps, advising on pricing strategy, coordinating tours, and having difficult conversations with zero guarantee of a paycheck. We also break down what dream clients do differently: they show up on time, read the data, stay honest about budgets and decision-making, and collaborate instead of fighting the process. Then we name the red flags that blow up transactions, including ghosting, using one agent to tour and another to write the offer, demanding instant replies at all hours, and hiding that a spouse isn’t on the same page. If you’re buying or selling in a competitive market like Austin real estate or anywhere else, these habits can save you time, money, and stress. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s house hunting, and leave a review if our behind-the-scenes take helps you become the client every Realtor wants to work with. https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

  7. Jun 17 ·  Video

    My Yeti is Ready!

    Send us Fan Mail We sit down with Noah Gowen from Orchard Title to pull back the curtain on what title and escrow really do and why the “mystery fees” can protect you from major legal and money problems. We trade wild real-world stories about heirs, liens, lender delays, and wire fraud, plus the habits that make closings smoother for buyers, sellers, and agents.  • how a title company acts as a neutral third party while protecting everyone  • what a title search checks for and what “clear title” really means  • why title insurance matters and how it differs from other insurance  • heirship, probate gaps, hidden spouses, and family disputes that delay closing  • surveys, condo quirks, and how lenders change requirements  • the most common causes of closing delays and how to prevent them  • realtor red flags like missing initials and missing contact details  • wire fraud tactics, verification rules, and why secure portals exist  • scenarios title will not insure, including unpermitted additions and lawsuits  • misconceptions about title and why skipping coverage can backfire  You can find us at the house nextdoor tx.com. Like, follow, share, comment, download, all the button, until next time. https://thehousenextdoortx.buzzsprout.com

    My Yeti is Ready!

  8. Jun 10 ·  Video

    HOA Reality Check

    Send us Fan Mail We trade a couple real estate life stories, then get blunt about what HOAs really do, from keeping neighborhoods tidy to handing out fines and surprise bills. We lay out the risks buyers miss most, including special assessments, lawsuits that stop sales, and the real power an HOA can have over your home.  • why HOAs exist and what they enforce  • benefits like amenities, symmetry, and shared maintenance  • how gated communities and private roads can raise costs  • special assessments, reserves, and what big repairs can trigger  • how HOA lawsuits can make lending and selling difficult  • management company fees like transfer fees and resale certificates  • common violations and how enforcement can get petty  • foreclosure risk when dues or fines go unpaid  • odd deed restrictions, including outdated and unenforceable language  • what buyers should ask about budgets, rentals, pets, and approvals  You can find us at housenextdoor tx.com and like like, share, comment  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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