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. 4D AGO

    Historic Homes: Beautiful Charm or Money Pit?

    Send us Fan Mail Falling in love with a historic home is easy. Living with one is where reality shows up. We start with some studio catch-up, including Anthony’s new responsibility, Maple the dog, plus a very Austin moment: spotting a Jetsons-style autonomous flying taxi at a reggae festival. Then we get into what we really came to talk about: buying unique homes and historic houses, and why the “Instagram farmhouse” fantasy often crashes into closed-off kitchens, awkward room layouts, drafty original windows, and the constant question of how to make modern life fit inside an old floor plan. From there, we talk Central Texas real estate strategy for buyers who want charm without paying peak Austin prices. We name the towns and pockets we’re watching, including Bastrop, Smithville, Lockhart, San Marcos, New Braunfels, and Temple, and we get honest about what makes each one appealing and what can make it complicated. We also dig into old house renovation costs that don’t photograph well: high energy bills, ongoing exterior maintenance, insurance problems on older homes, and the risks of outdated systems like knob and tube wiring. We wrap with a story about the emotional pull of a Queen Anne Victorian and why even a realtor sometimes needs a realtor to spot moisture, cheap remodel choices, and pricing that doesn’t match the comps. Then we play “historic treasure or money pit” to stress-test common scenarios like unpermitted renovations, wells and septic, and foundation fixes. If you’re considering a historic home in Texas, hit play, then subscribe, share this with a friend who loves old houses, and leave us a review with your biggest dealbreaker when you tour an older property. https://housenextdoortx.com

    31 min
  2. Should You Become A Realtor? The Money Myths And The Daily Grind

    MAY 6

    Should You Become A Realtor? The Money Myths And The Daily Grind

    Send us Fan Mail Real estate gets sold as a lifestyle: flexible hours, quick closings, big commission checks, and beautiful houses on repeat. We’ve lived the version that doesn’t fit in a highlight reel, and we’re laying it out straight for anyone asking, “Should I get my real estate license?” From the first costs of becoming a realtor to the emotional whiplash of deals that fall apart, we talk about what it actually feels like when your income depends on a closing date you can’t control. We also share our own paths into the business, including early mentorship, switching from marketing into sales, and why “once I’m licensed, I’ll know what I’m doing” is one of the biggest myths in the industry. If you’re curious about the Austin real estate world or starting a real estate career in Texas, you’ll hear the unglamorous parts: being available nights and weekends, handling tough conversations with clients, and learning how to stay calm around big egos and baffling moments that can derail a negotiation. Then we get practical about who tends to thrive as a real estate agent: people who are highly self-motivated, comfortable without a set schedule, and able to stay diplomatic while still telling the truth about pricing, market reality, and resale risks. We end with a quick expectation-versus-reality game that calls out common beliefs about social media leads, first-month closings, and actually unplugging on vacation. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend considering real estate, and leave a review with the biggest myth you want us to tackle next. https://housenextdoortx.com

    32 min

  3. APR 15

    S2, Ep 6: Goats Dogs And A Dungeon Room

    Send us Fan Mail Real estate doesn’t get unhinged on the closing table. It gets unhinged at the front door, mid-showing, when you least expect it. We’re Barbara Giglio and Anthony Harris, and we’re back with the kind of real estate stories that never make it into listing descriptions. We talk about the wild buyer and seller behavior we’ve seen firsthand: the showing where a goat charges a client, the seller who “forgets” to lock up an aggressive dog, and the deeply unsettling moment you realize a house has a fully built dungeon-style room while the sellers trail behind you. It’s funny when you’re listening, but it’s also a real conversation about safety, boundaries, and trusting your instincts as a buyer, seller, or agent. Then we get into the deal-killers that are completely avoidable. One of the biggest seller mistakes? Turning off utilities while under contract, right when inspections still need to happen. We break down why water, gas, and power matter during the option period, how inspection logistics work, and why trying to save a little money can cost you more in delays, re-negotiations, and stress. If you’re navigating Texas real estate, home inspections, listing prep, and negotiation strategy, this part hits home. To wrap, we play “Would You Buy It” with real-world home buying scenarios: active termites, non-operable plumbing, electrical panel hot spots, knob-and-tube wiring, missing septic tank info, sketchy neighbor claims, and even rumored hauntings. You’ll walk away with a better feel for what’s a fixable defect, what’s a hard no, and how to do due diligence without spiraling. Subscribe to The House Next Door, share this with a friend who’s buying or selling, and leave a review if these stories made you laugh or wince. What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve ever seen at a showing? https://housenextdoortx.com

    30 min

  4. APR 8

    Are We Buying Homes Or Buying The Fantasy?

    Send us Fan Mail Zillow and Instagram can make you feel like the perfect house is one scroll away, but then you show up and reality hits: the “mid-century modern” dream is dark and chopped up, the skylight is leaking, and the smell is doing most of the talking. We unpack the growing gap between online home shopping and what buyers actually get when they tour properties, especially in and around Austin and Central Texas.  We get specific about the wish lists we hear every week, particularly from first-time homebuyers: more square footage than the budget can support, open concept plus privacy, walkability plus land, and a low monthly payment with little or no money down. We talk through the real estate math behind those goals and why compromise on price, location, condition, or timing is unavoidable. If you’re trying to buy a home in today’s market, this is the mindset shift that saves time, stress, and bad decisions.  Then we dive into “catfish listings” and the marketing tricks that fuel them, from limited photos and vague descriptions to MLS language that sounds inspiring but often means major repairs or unpermitted work. We also vent about the TikTok-ification of real estate and ask the honest question: do viral listing videos sell homes, or do pricing strategy and staging still win? If you want smarter house hunting, sharper red-flag instincts, and a laugh along the way, hit play, then subscribe, share with a friend, and leave us a review. https://housenextdoortx.com

    26 min

  5. APR 1

    When The World Feels Unstable Should You Buy A Home

    Send us Fan Mail We talk through why the market suddenly feels confusing again and how war-driven uncertainty can ripple into inflation, oil prices, and mortgage rates. We break down what smart buyers and sellers can do right now to avoid costly timing mistakes and still come out ahead.  • why global uncertainty can push mortgage rates higher even when the Fed holds steady  • what a “payment-sensitive” buyer changes about pricing and negotiation  • why overpricing leads to chasing the market and leaving money on the table  • how correct pricing can restart showings fast using a real San Antonio example  • when “date the rate, marry the house” actually makes sense and when it doesn’t  • how concessions, rate buydowns, and builder incentives can unlock affordability  • why waiting for the perfect rate can backfire as competition returns  • what 2008 to 2009 taught investors about buying during fear  • why people still buy and sell regardless of headlines and election cycles  please like, subscribe, subscribe, comment, share, follow, whatever it might be.  https://housenextdoortx.com

    25 min

  6. MAR 25

    When Did Perfect Homes Get So Boring

    Send us Fan Mail Cookie-cutter is losing its grip, and we are honestly relieved. We’re catching up the only way we know how with rodeo stories, a mechanical bull detour, and some unfiltered truth about what’s been going on in real life lately, including Barbara’s brief and intense run-in with GLP-1 weight loss injections and what it taught us about side effects, appetite, muscle, and the mental game behind “quick fixes.” From there, we pivot into spring 2026 home decor trends and what we’re seeing in real estate and interior design right now. The big theme is story-driven homes: personal collections, antiques, and pieces that look like they’ve lived a life before they found you. Round Top comes up for a reason, because it’s a masterclass in vintage furniture, old-world details, and the kind of patina you cannot fake with mass-produced decor. We talk about mixing eras on purpose, using unique glassware and vintage lighting, and building rooms that reflect personality instead of a catalog. We also dig into the cozier side of design: nooks, darker mood moments, color choices that feel grounded, and why mid-century and 60s to 80s homes keep winning hearts. And yes, we go there on authenticity, from AI-generated art that looks almost right to filters that make people unrecognizable. The goal is the same as good design: feel at home in what’s real. If you enjoyed this, subscribe, share the episode with a friend who loves design, and leave a review so more people can find us. https://housenextdoortx.com

    28 min

  7. MAR 17

    You Do Not Need Luck To Buy A Home If You Understand The Process

    Send us Fan Mail You can wear green and still lose the house if you don’t understand the rules of the game. We keep the St Patrick’s Day energy going while we walk through a practical, start-to-finish home buying process that helps buyers stay calm, protected, and prepared, whether you’re a first-time home buyer or you haven’t moved in years. We start where every smart purchase begins: mortgage pre-approval. We talk about why the number in your head is not the same as what a lender can support, how monthly payment comfort matters as much as purchase price, and how a good lender can create a step-by-step plan if credit, debt, or cash to close isn’t quite there yet. We also share how down payment assistance programs can change the rent-versus-own conversation for buyers who assume homeownership is out of reach. From there, we break down the house hunt and why it’s easier when you treat it like elimination, not an endless search for perfection. Then we move into offers and negotiations, including earnest money and the Texas option period, so you understand what “skin in the game” really means and when you can walk away. We dig into inspections, repair credits, and appraisals, including what happens when an appraiser’s opinion doesn’t match the contract price. We finish with closing day realities at the title company, the difference between closing and funding, and the bigger point: closing isn’t the finish line, it’s the beginning of building equity, financial stability, and long-term wealth through real estate. If this helped you, subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more buyers can find it. https://housenextdoortx.com

    34 min

  8. MAR 16

    New Year, New Sh#t

    Send us Fan Mail We’re kicking off season two with the kind of update that changes everything behind the scenes: we officially formed a team and switched brokerages. That decision wasn’t about shiny branding or chasing trends. It was about protecting the way we serve clients when a company’s priorities start drifting toward fees, mergers, and corporate muscle over real support. We talk candidly about leaving Compass, landing at LPT Realty, and what it’s actually like to rebuild the logistics most people never see, from signs and marketing to email and transaction systems. Then we zoom out to the bigger real estate industry shift: consolidation. More local boutiques are getting absorbed into a handful of mega brokerages and cloud brokerage models, and that affects consumers whether they realize it or not. We share how we think about choosing a brokerage culture, why “value” has to show up in client outcomes, and how teaming up gives our buyers and sellers deeper coverage across Central Texas, from San Antonio to Austin, Georgetown, and beyond. And because real estate meets reality, we also go there. Barbara shares a New Year’s medical saga involving ChatGPT, urgent care, maximum embarrassment, and a plot twist that turns “worst case scenario” into a plain old toilet paper allergy. Somehow, it’s the perfect metaphor for real estate stress: fear fills the gaps when you don’t have clear, calm guidance. We wrap with what we’re seeing in the 2026 Austin real estate market: multiple offers returning in certain pockets, micro-markets that ignore the headlines, and cautious optimism as rates and buyer demand shift. If you like honest stories, practical local insight, and a little chaos, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review. What part of the market feels the most confusing to you right now? https://housenextdoortx.com

    30 min
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

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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