Austin Real Estate Newsletter: Tea with G by Gemma Willans

And Now for Something Completely Different...

Welcome to Tea with G - my new monthly newsletter, written by yours truly.

Here's what you need to know: I've been sending you newsletters written by other people. Professional, polished, and which you probably didn't read. No judgment from me, I probably wouldn't have either.

This is different. I'm actually writing this one. Which means you'll get honest market insights, real observations about Austin, and something I didn't expect to bring to a real estate newsletter: vulnerability.

The goal? To add value to your life. To connect on a human level, not just a professional one. And maybe, if I'm doing this right, to share something that helps you feel less alone in navigating the chaos of buying, selling, or just living in this wild city we call home.

If it's not for you, unsubscribe below. I'm practicing radical acceptance. Starting now. Possibly.

We Are All Just Walking Each Other Home

I'm British. We don't do therapy retreats in California. We have a cuppa tea and get on with it. But something had to change.

I spent the last week of January 2026 at a place called the Hoffman Process in Northern California, a week-long intensive retreat where you identify the unconscious negative patterns you picked up in childhood and decide whether you want to keep living from them.

It wasn't about fixing myself. It was about becoming closer to who I'm meant to be.

The work is simple but demanding: identify what you learned early in life that no longer serves you, express what you've been holding in, and choose new ways of being.

Here's what that week taught me: I am not my patterns. I am love, loving, and lovable. And showing up authentically, having honest conversations even when they're hard, being true to myself, that's where real freedom and connection live.

And that's what I'm committing to this year, and every year after……in my life, in my work, and in this newsletter.

What Real Estate Has Taught Me

People don't buy houses. They buy a version of themselves they'd like to become.

The couple buying in Westlake wants good schools, but what they really want is proof they've "made it." The single buyer choosing East Austin wants walkability, what they really want is to feel alive again. The family buying acreage wants "space", what they really want is permission to breathe.

My job isn't just to find you a house. It's to help you figure out what you actually want versus what you think you're supposed to want. Sometimes those align. Many times, they don't.

Realtors are like therapists with access to people's bank statements. The confessions start within 20 minutes, the marriages, the debt, the dreams, the fears. I take that seriously. I take you seriously.

Here's what I know for sure: when you judge someone, you create distance. When you lead with compassion, you create connection.

That's how I intend to show up for you, with honesty, compassion, and zero nonsense about what your house is worth or what the market's doing.

What I'm Working On This Year

Some intentions I'm carrying forward:

Presence. Being where I am, not where I think I should be. Really listening instead of planning my next sentence.

Self-compassion. I've spent years self deprecating. It's cultural. It's also super unhealthy and comes at a cost. The cost? Sadness. Limitation. Exhaustion. Turns out, you can't run on fumes and shame forever. Self-compassion is survival.

Real connection. Of course, I think I'm hilarious, but no more hiding behind humor. What people actually need is connection, not just entertainment.

Expression. Emotions are energy, they need to move. For years, I kept everything locked down. I'm learning that letting myself feel and express isn't neediness. It's human.

Gratitude. Three things each morning. Today: strong coffee with heavy cream, my daughters still talking to me, living in a city where people genuinely want you to succeed.

If You're Thinking About Making a Move

Whether you're buying, selling, or just curious about what's happening in the Austin market, I'm here for real conversations.

Not the kind where I tell you what you want to hear. The kind where we talk about what your house is actually worth, whether now is the right time for you to move, and what you really need versus what sounds good on paper.

The market's shifted. Interest rates are different than they were. Buyers have more options. Sellers need to price correctly from day one. These are facts.

But here's what's also true: Austin is still growing. People still want to live here. Well-priced homes still sell. You just need someone who'll be honest with you about the reality, not feed you lines about "hot markets" and "perfect timing."

I promise you honest conversation, real data, zero pressure.

Let's grab coffee.

Foxtail is officially open! Burnet Road’s new neighborhood hideaway for crafted cocktails, thoughtful bites, and an effortlessly cool vibe. Moody, welcoming, and just the right amount of sexy, this is your new go-to for unwinding and connecting.

Learn More Here

Black Sheep Coffee just opened its newest location on West 6th & Guadalupe. This London-born brand brings bold espresso, specialty-grade Robusta beans, and a fast, modern grab-and-go vibe to the ground floor of 6G Residences.

Learn More Here

3412 Mount Bonnell Road

Austin

$16,000,000

An extraordinary opportunity to own the largest private waterfront property on Lake Austin--a rare combination of acreage, privacy, and panoramic views along this most coveted stretch of Mount Bonnell.

Learn Mor e

3823 Westlake Drive

Austin

$6,499,000

Fantastic Lake Austin waterfront lot. (Approximately 100 ft X 372 Ft) 100 ft shoreline but limited to 70 ft of usable waterfront. Entitlements go back to 1915. This allows up to a 12,500 Sqft home.

Learn More

And that's Tea with G for this month.

If you made it this far, thank you for reading. Truly.

Thank you for letting me into your inbox, your day, and maybe even your thoughts about what comes next for you and your home.

I meant what I said earlier: we're all just walking each other home. And I'm honored to walk alongside you, whether that's helping you find your next house, sell your current one, or just being a resource when you need honest answers about this market.

Until next month,

Gemma

P.S. - If you know someone thinking about buying or selling, I'd be grateful for the referral. I promise to look after them with honesty, expertise, and probably more emotional intelligence than your average realtor.

Gemma

Willans

Global Real Estate Advisor

704.502.4508

[email protected]

View Website

Follow me for market updates, Austin observations, and reflections on what it means to show up authentically in business and life.

524 N. Lamar Blvd, Suite 204 Austin, Texas 78703

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Gemma Willans

London-born and world-traveled, Gemma brings seven years of Austin real estate insight and 15+ years of corporate project management expertise to her role with The Lewis Group, Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty’s #1 team in Austin. Well-connected in Austin’s luxury markets and obsessively focused on client results, she leverages insider knowledge and analytical strategy to uncover hidden opportunities and maximize value, whether navigating the tree-lined streets of Tarrytown, the historic charm of Pemberton Heights, or the luxury estates of Westlake.