Doug Francis Real Estate

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What is a Back-Up Contract?

By Doug Francis

Back Up Real Estate Contract Strategy in low inventory markets

"When one door closes, another opens." - Alexander Graham Bell Breaking bad news to a client is the pits. Imagine the call from the buyer's agent saying, "after the home inspection or after reviewing the Homeowner's Association disclosure docs, that the Buyer is declaring the contract Void." Then you have to call your client with the bad Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, Living Here Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, Vienna Virginia

Town of Vienna Real Estate Tax Rate 2024

By Doug Francis

Vienna VA Town Green

Revised Vienna VA real estate tax rate for 2024 Town of Vienna Real Estate 2024 fiscal year tax rate shall be $.195 (or 19.5 cents) per every $100 of assessed value. Real estate taxes are paid annually in two installments, due July 29, 2024 and December 5, 2024. The town’s real estate tax rate is 19.5 cents per $100 of assessed valuation. Town of Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: 22180, real estate, tax rate, Vienna Virginia

Consider ARMs Again for Your Mortgage

By Doug Francis

ARMs versus Fixed Rate Mortgage

Are we at an Inflection Point? Over the last decade, when home buyers were looking at mortgage rates there wasn't a big difference between fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). In fact, super-low 30-year fixed rates have ruled the market. Although I don't have a crystal ball, the tea leaves that I'm reading show a Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Mortgage Finance Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, mortgage, real estate

On finding hidden new homes in Vienna

By Doug Francis

Hidden new home inventory in Vienna VA

Ask anyone who lives in Vienna or McLean, and they will tell you about the impressive number of new homes being built. Many are custom homes being built for long-time owners, but more often it is an investor or builder scraping off an old house to build a new, semi-custom house to sell. What is happening here in Vienna, McLean, or Falls Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Home Buyer Tips, real estate, Vienna Virginia

How to pick a Settlement Agent

By Doug Francis

MBH Title in Vienna VA

Selecting a Settlement Agent often comes down to a quick decision based on a recommendation from your Realtor. A quick decision? This is an interesting topic since home buyers, in Virginia, are given the option to select a Settlement Agent when they put together their offer to purchase. The idea is that they can compare fees and services, and Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, real estate, Vienna Virginia

Tearing Down and Recycling in Vienna

By Doug Francis

vienna tear down recycling

Before we tear down older ramblers or splits in Vienna, there is a period of time when contractors will take houses apart so anything of value can be recycled or donated to a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Copper pipes HVAC systems Appliances Storm Doors But many people don't think about wood boards being recycled Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: new construction, sell my home, tear down, Vienna Virginia

The Equifax Hack and Buying a Home

By Doug Francis

Impact on real estate buyers after Equifax hack

My clients will remember when I said, "Don't go out and buy his and her BMWs until after you are finished buying the house!" Those days were so simple. Innocent really, almost charming. All that has changed after the recent hack of Equifax essentially exposed everyone's personal financial information to a remote outpost on the Dark Web... Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, Living Here Tagged With: FICO, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, real estate

Deposit Amounts and Negotiations

By Doug Francis

Earnest Money Deposit

Sitting at their kitchen table while explaining the sales contract and putting together a competitive written offer, I was asked... "What's the earnest money deposit formula in Virginia?"  this Vienna home buyer studiously asked. This really isn't an uncommon question because most buyers are reading websites written by mortgage lenders, Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Vienna Virginia

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Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, building an addition, and knowing the neighbors. Today, home buyers are attracted to Vienna because of the sense of community, walkability, and small town lifestyle.

So, what’s next after your 25 years? It’s a conversation many of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or get closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead with their updated plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background: I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, have negotiated hundreds of sales contracts, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and still sell homes in all price ranges. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let’s discuss your moving plans: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 .  Cheers!

Considering selling your home?

https://youtu.be/0ZSodCtsfkY

Just Sold!

Plum Street home with swimming pool

Looking for a house with a pool in Vienna, VA?

Sold!

https://vimeo.com/1003798838?loop=0

Planning to sell your home?

Case Studies

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Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Hiding your name

Looking for testimonials?

Read through a collection of client comments originally posted on Zillow, Google and Trulia. See what my clients say...

Looking for a Custom Home?

Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA
Staged kitchen for real estate marketing

Here’s my home seller checklist… imagine you’re Getting Ready to Sell

Getting started is the hardest part for many clients. My Vienna home seller checklist will help you get the ball rolling today.

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
– R. Pollard

“He truly was a partner integrating us unto the community and made it easy for us to take advantage of all Vienna has to offer.”
– A. D’Eredita

“We are so thankful we found Doug to guide us through the complex home selling and buying processes!”
– Scott and Jennie

About Doug Francis

I am a Realtor with TTR Sotheby's International Realty® just outside Washington D.C. in Northern Virginia. I'm licensed in Virginia with a focus on Vienna, VA real estate since 1991.

That deep knowledge is valuable, especially in today's fast-paced market where advice is critical. Although many of my clients are personally referred, I am available to help you too and am accepting new clients right now.

Feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344
Why do people hire me?

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Vienna Real Estate Guide

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