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Baby Boomers on the Move

January 18, 2017 By Doug Francis

Moving out of suburbia Virginia

We gotta get out of this place
If it’s the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
’cause girl, there’s a better life for me and you ~ The Animals

Making the decision to move out of the suburbs is the next step for Baby Boomers.

Here are some tips and thoughts to get you started on your journey.

Leaving ‘the burbs’

These days, Boomers are humming that tune as they plan to downsize now that the kids are grown up and suburban life is getting a tad boring.

It is time to have fun again. And shake up that stogy suburban lifestyle!

My recent Boomer clients have:

  • … bought a home in St. Michaels on the Chesapeake Bay
  • …rented an apartment in Crystal City next to the Metro
  • …bought a condo in DC
  • …moved to a small town in North Carolina
  • …rented a two bedroom place in the Mosaic District.

No 55+ Communities for these folks!

Yes, I’m a Boomer too

I was born in the early 1960’s and am, officially, in the late half of the Baby Boomer generation. As the youngest child in the family, I experienced the Capitol Records mono version of The Beatles listening to German versions of some songs. James Taylor, Graham Nash and Carole King played in our house. The summer The Stones released Get Yer Ya-Yas Out! , the record was cranked up when Mom and Dad weren’t around.

Yes, we had the Beach Boys, America, CSNY, and then one afternoon the tone changed when my big brother put Deep Purple on my sister’s turntable.

I was there watching my sister’s high school class of ’73 graduate. Although a distant memory, it seems like yesterday.


Quick tips for Boomers starting a plan to sell their home

  • Deferred maintenance
  • Painting
  • Floors
  • Light Fixtures

Every week I see a home with “deferred maintenance”. Most issues really aren’t hard to fix but have been overlooked for a decade.

I know that it has been like that for years without any issues.

But today’s home buyers pick up on these maintenance items, cling to them really, and will discount your home’s value thinking most repairs will cost 3-times the actual cost.

Painting delivers the biggest impact at the least expense. It is easy to make a 1960’s or 1970’s vintage home look better with a contemporary color. Switching hats from being an owner to being a seller may give you a new vision on some of your current color choices. Look at these paint options for 2017.

Floors can be updated quickly. Replacing carpet will make a room look bigger. Hardwood floors too can be transformed to almost new looking condition for a big return.

Old light fixtures can often present a room poorly. Brass fixtures should be swapped out.

The list is longer but I’m sure you get the idea.

Think like a buyer… not a seller.

Capital Gains

If the home has been your personal residence for two of the previous five years, then you will be able to take your capital gain free from tax. The limits are $250,000 for individual tax filers and $500,000 for joint filers who didn’t buy the property through a 1031 tax-free exchange.

House Rich, Cash Poor

Many Baby Boomers have significant equity in their homes, and selling their home may provide a retirement nest egg. This is often the case in the Vienna real estate market these days where values are at or above 2008 valuations.

Last year one client sold his old family home and moved, for the first time in his life, to a brand new apartment where he has much more freedom to get out. No more stairs, and no more repairs.

Plus some money for a cruise.

When you sell your house any existing mortgage or home equity line gets paid off. Eliminating this debt can also be a free spirit again. The remaining amount should be used appropriately like a conservative investment portfolio. Don’t blow it all because, chances are, you are going to live another 30 years!

Lifestyle Adjustments

A common theme that I hear from Boomer clients is that the upkeep on the old home was out of control. For example, moving to an apartment near the Metro allowed for one couple to sell one of their cars, and forget about the hassle of fixing appliances and maintaining the yard.

Having fun needs to remain a priority. One retired client told me how they would head East from their place Naples to visit friends in Vero Beach… for a long weekend. Sounds like Don’t Stop the Carnival to me!

One goal should be to adjust your lifestyle a little moving where your living expenses are lower.

Planning and taking the Next Step

  • Most clients start by reading How to Get Your Home Ready to Sell in 30 Days which I wrote a few years ago after meeting with some clients who had lived in their Vienna home for twenty-five years.
  • The painter who I use is a trade secret so you’ll have to hire me to get his name. I have used a few painters over the years and he has been the best with clients face to face and quality of workmanship. So, I treat him like gold.
  • When we first meet, I go through your home like a buyer would. Looking at everything.
  • The 30% list… I’ll cover that one in person.
  • Thinking about where you will move… even temporarily.

It’s time to get out of this place, so let’s start talking about your plans.

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

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating a lot, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new 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 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

6808 Broyhill Street
McLean, VA
Photo of 6808 Broyhill Street, McLean, VA 22101 (MLS # VAFX2137956)
$2,399,000
48
  • Lot Size
    16,989 sqft

  • Home Size
    6,708 sqft

  • Beds
    6 Beds

  • Baths
    7 Baths

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Case Studies

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2701 Bellforest Court #101
Vienna, VA
Photo of 2701 Bellforest Court #101, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2156072)
$399,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
899 sqft

Beds
1 Bed

Baths
2 Baths

9846 Faust Drive
Vienna, VA
Photo of 9846 Faust Drive, Vienna, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2156406)
$1,000,000
Lot Size
22,216 sqft

Home Size
3,290 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

1210 Cottage Street SW
Vienna, VA
Photo of 1210 Cottage Street SW, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2155384)
$2,099,000
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
5,099 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
6 Baths

2106 Statute Lane
Vienna, VA
Photo of 2106 Statute Lane, Vienna, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2155916)
$950,000
Lot Size
11,326 sqft

Home Size
1,457 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

227 Locust Street SE #4
Vienna, VA
Photo of 227 Locust Street SE #4, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2156006)
$1,099,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
2,814 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
5 Baths

8569 Dellway Lane
Vienna, VA
Photo of 8569 Dellway Lane, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2154152)
$635,000
Lot Size
2,178 sqft

Home Size
1,884 sqft

Beds
3 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

10108 Garrett Street
Vienna, VA
Photo of 10108 Garrett Street, Vienna, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2155928)
$1,985,550
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
7,085 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

2586 Rambling Road
Vienna, VA
Photo of 2586 Rambling Road, Vienna, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2155222)
$2,350,000
Lot Size
24,830 sqft

Home Size
6,982 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

300 John Marshall Drive NE
Vienna, VA
Photo of 300 John Marshall Drive NE, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2155714)
$2,599,000
Lot Size
14,811 sqft

Home Size
6,587 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
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1009 Westwood Drive NE
Vienna, VA
Photo of 1009 Westwood Drive NE, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2155678)
$2,650,000
Lot Size
12,633 sqft

Home Size
6,567 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
8 Baths

  • 2701 Bellforest Court #101
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 2701 Bellforest Court #101, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2156072)
    $399,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    899 sqft

    Beds
    1 Bed

    Baths
    2 Baths

  • 9846 Faust Drive
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 9846 Faust Drive, Vienna, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2156406)
    $1,000,000
    Lot Size
    22,216 sqft

    Home Size
    3,290 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 1210 Cottage Street SW
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 1210 Cottage Street SW, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2155384)
    $2,099,000
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    5,099 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    6 Baths

  • 2106 Statute Lane
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 2106 Statute Lane, Vienna, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2155916)
    $950,000
    Lot Size
    11,326 sqft

    Home Size
    1,457 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 227 Locust Street SE #4
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 227 Locust Street SE #4, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2156006)
    $1,099,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    2,814 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    5 Baths

  • 8569 Dellway Lane
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 8569 Dellway Lane, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2154152)
    $635,000
    Lot Size
    2,178 sqft

    Home Size
    1,884 sqft

    Beds
    3 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 10108 Garrett Street
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 10108 Garrett Street, Vienna, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2155928)
    $1,985,550
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    7,085 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 2586 Rambling Road
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 2586 Rambling Road, Vienna, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2155222)
    $2,350,000
    Lot Size
    24,830 sqft

    Home Size
    6,982 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 300 John Marshall Drive NE
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 300 John Marshall Drive NE, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2155714)
    $2,599,000
    Lot Size
    14,811 sqft

    Home Size
    6,587 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    8 Baths

  • 1009 Westwood Drive NE
    Vienna, VA
    Photo of 1009 Westwood Drive NE, Vienna, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2155678)
    $2,650,000
    Lot Size
    12,633 sqft

    Home Size
    6,567 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    8 Baths

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Home sellers are often caught off guard when I explain that today’s home buyers will decide on their house before ever stepping foot in it. The days of spending hours driving around looking at seven, eight, or nine houses on a sunny Saturday are over. Yes, meeting at 9:00 a.m. to review the available listings […]

“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 have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

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