Yes, virtually instantaneous gratification... understood by so few. It's not a secret, it's IDX! Continue Reading
Local Stories
The following is an archive of my articles about builders, strategies, home inspections, financing, painting, staging, tips, and skills. Start reading and you can search the archive anytime.
Home information disclosure on DougFrancisHomes
© Metropolitan Regional Information Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Listings provided by MRIS from various brokers who participate in IDX (Internet Data Exchange). Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Source: RE/MAX.com Continue Reading
5614 Sedgwick Lane, Springfield, VA 22151 Sold – 2009
SOLD in 2009 | Peacefully located in the back of the neighborhood within a short walk of Lake Accotink - a Fairfax treasure. Updated baths, granite kitchen counters, new carpet, oak hardwood floors, huge deck overlooking the largest yard you will see today! Huge lower level rec room with berber carpet.Catch the bus to the Pentagon, # 17B at the Continue Reading
Skimming the bottom in home prices?
Heard any good economic news today? But wait, the Dow and Nasdaq have jumped up, and it is exciting to watch CNBC's Erin Burnett discuss stocks on the floor of the exchange again. But then the truth hits again when you see that your retirement plan is still down 46% from a year and a half ago. Head down, blinders on! Okay, imagine that you are Continue Reading
Home search sites are all over, but gimme some help…
There are MLS home search sites all over, but the new Homesdatabase.com looks really sharp and easy to use. And my blog adds more too. Should I just add this link to the blog? These are my thoughts on IDX too, as I try to decide to pay for IDX or link to the free site that my clients already seem to like? I understand that finding the house is Continue Reading
My insider’s tip to refinancing your mortgage… in Virginia
Saving money is always why people want to start the hassle of refinancing. And with today's fixed rates around 5%, I get calls and e-mails from past real estate clients with questions about their options all the time. It is nice to be considered their go-to guy when it comes to real estate questions, and now you too shall know the big refinancing Continue Reading
Considering buying a foreclosure?
You may not think about it when you see the sweet price on this Fairfax foreclosure. But the people have been living there probably mad as heck and taking it out on the house. So what is the potential problem if they flushed a little extra goop like cement into the sewer lateral? Trouble! And the paperwork the bank is going to send will strip Continue Reading
Fannie and Freddie loans are more expensive April 1
The L.A. Times recently published a piece discussing how Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were raising fees, and toughening credit rules depending on FICO credit scores. So start watching for "delivery fees" if you are putting down less than 30%. That's not a typo! below 700, add 1.5% 700-720, add .75% 721-739, add .25% Meaning, if you Continue Reading