ATX: the Austin Real Estate Life Blog

  🦄 GVM's Austin Texas UNICORN LIST™ George Vance McGee's Favorite Local Professionals, Businesses & Hidden Gems 2026 Austin Edition By George Vance McGee, Austin Native, Real Estate Broker Associate, Austin Silent Market Austin is a rapidly & constantly changing city, but some local businesses, professionals, and community institutions continue to stand out. Over years of working in real estate sales, leasing, lot development and simply enjoying life in Austin, I've developed my personal "UNICORN LIST" of trusted local resources. A "Unicorn" is an ATX resident who was born and raised in Austin, TX. My mother Andrea Roberts McGee (rest in peace) birthed me at Seton Hospital on West 38th Street in November of 1981.  ⚖️ Real Estate Attorneys Claiborne Cowan & Associates Wills Probate Estate Planning Real Estate Legal Matters Jon M. Daves Evictions Landlord & Tenant Law Leasing Disputes Property Rights Shapiro & Dunn Business Law Practi...

 June 7th, 2026 Twitter Post;  Nightlife Clubbing is dead and has been replaced by fitness & wellness.  Clubbing is dead and has been replaced by fitness & wellness. People used to party to socialize and date but now they do things like HYROX, bathhouses, and running raves. The death of clubbing is something to be studied: — US has lost 12% of its nightclubs in the last 24 months — 25% of US adults didn’t drink at all last year — Gen Z drinks 30% less than Millennials did at the same age On the flip side: — According to Strava, the number of running clubs recorded on the platform increased 3.5x in 2025 — 72% of Gen Z go to run clubs to meet new people — Sauna and spa market: $11.8B → $22.4B by 2034 The post-alcohol economy is gonna be a massive category.

   Breaking Real Estate News per TAR; HUD Changes Rules on Assistance Animals   June 03, 2026 | Texas REALTORS® Staff The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development no longer requires landlords to waive pet policies for untrained emotional support animals. HUD has determined that requests to waive pet policies for animals trained to perform specific disability-related services are reasonable, but requests to waive pet policies for untrained ESAs are not. HUD no longer expects housing providers to extend accommodations intended for trained assistance animals to untrained ESAs. HUD will only investigate cases involving animals trained to provide disability-related assistance. Untrained emotional support animals will no longer be considered exempt from pet fees in rental property. The Americans with Disabilities Act defines a service animal as “individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sen...

 Gus Smalley is back in the ATX: WHALERS Live Rock Show this Friday 10 pm @ Hole in the Wall on the Drag. I'll see ya there

 Per Homes.com Texas Real Estate Sales Prices Slip in the state’s 4 biggest housing markets Texas sales prices slip in the state’s four biggest housing markets Austin, San Antonio saw the sharpest drops in April, while Dallas-Fort Worth seen as most stable among the state’s largest metropolitan areas By Matt Stephens May 29, 2026 6:43 PM ET The Dallas-area housing market saw the slightest drop in sales prices year over year in April while leading the state in total home sales for the month. (Getty Images) By Matt Stephens May 29, 2026 6:43 PM ET Key takeaways Home prices declined year over year in all four major Texas metropolitan areas in April, with Austin posting the largest decline and Dallas-Fort Worth showing the greatest stability. Inventory is generally high across Texas, with Houston’s supply still at record highs, but listings fell in greater Austin, bucking the broader trend. Houston and San Antonio remain more affordable than Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, with both mark...

 

  Happy Monday. After taking a break last week in honor of Memorial Day, we will finish up our Lead Gen Bracket contest with a discussion on the winner-REFERRALS. Referrals are one of the most valuable and cost-effective resources of your real estate business. Clients who come to you through a trusted recommendation are more likely to work with you and more likely to trust you. Beyond that, a referral-based business is a sustainable way to grow your business long term. When you focus on building strong client relationships, your network begins to work for you. Asking for a referral doesn’t have to feel awkward or pushy. In fact, when done the right way, it can strengthen the relationship and leave clients feeling appreciated and included in your success. Referrals don’t just come from past clients – anyone you build rapport with can lead to new business. That includes friends, family, current clients, networking contacts, neighbors and even colleagues from a previous job. Don’t lim...