Before a 240-mile train connecting Houston to Dallas becomes a reality, the folks proposing it must convince an unknown number of property owners to sell them their land. The company behind the project, Texas Central, says it has agreements to buy a portion of the land it needs, but it’s facing opposition from some landowners who believe the train will ruin the character of the area. The Chronicle’s transportation reporter Dug Begley joins Nancy and Erin to explain this controversial project that connects business, politics and culture.

If you tried but to rent your house during Super Bowl LI but never had any takers, you're not alone.

Supply of short-term rentals was way up during the week of the big game. Nancy and Erin are joined by Heights resident Sorcha Landau who listed her updated Craftsman bungalow on Airbnb, but it never got booked -- even after she repeatedly dropped the price.

Houston will get a flash of Hollywood glam this week when celebrities begin to descend on the Bayou City for Super Bowl LI. Local publicist Mark Sullivan dishes on the best places to get a glimpse of Beyonce, Lady Gaga and Josh Brolin among lots of other A-list film stars, rock bands and politicians – oh, and of course plenty of familiar faces from reality TV.

Thousands of Houstonians have listed their homes on various vacation rental platforms in hopes of cashing in during Super Bowl LI. But is it realistic to find someone who will pay thousands of dollars a night for your home or apartment? And what about the risks? What happens if a guest breaks your beloved antique vase or throws a raucous party and your neighbor calls the cops? Nancy and Erin bring Airbnb's Laura Spanjian into the studio to answer those questions and more about what to expect if you're a first-time renter.

Dwight Silverman spent years raising kids in a comfortable subdivision in piney northwest Houston before deciding to buy a townhouse inside the Loop. About a year ago, he and his wife moved again. They sold a bunch of their furniture on Craig's List and rented a two-bedroom apartment within walking distance of restaurants, wine bars and a Whole Foods. On this episode of Looped In, Nancy and Erin talk to Silverman about his transition from homeowner to apartment dweller and what it's like to be a renter by choice.

It’s Swampie season. The real estate website Swamplot is collecting ballots for its annual “Swampie” awards, which showcase all that is remarkable and peculiar about Houston real estate. Nancy and Erin bring Swamplot editor Christine Gerbode into the studio to talk about the popular site and this year's categories for the Swampies.