Selling a Central Texas home used to feel straightforward. Now, plenty of owners are staring at longer days on market and a tougher question: do we keep pushing for a price that isn’t showing up, or do we rent the home and buy ourselves time? We get real about that decision, including the emotional side of “I don’t want to be a landlord” and the practical side of “I don’t want to write a massive check at closing.”

I’m joined by Wally Harwood, founder of Market Property Management and a broker associate here in Central Texas. We talk about what property management actually looks like behind the scenes: systems, repairs, tenant communication, and why “no news is good news” is a real thing. We also unpack why property management can be a strong fiduciary option for clients when selling isn’t the best move, even if it earns less upfront, plus how renting can function as a bridge strategy while your mortgage gets paid down and the market finds its footing.

Then we zoom out to life and housing in Austin. Wally’s an Austin native, so we cover how the city has changed, what Austin FC added to the culture, and how buyers should think about choosing a neighborhood. If you’re relocating, we dig into the overlooked costs that shape affordability like property tax rates, toll roads, commute time, and even the “Uber test” for nightlife access. If you want a clear-headed Austin real estate conversation with real numbers and real trade-offs, this one’s for you.

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