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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.

iPhone Alerts and the Miracle Weekend

By Doug Francis

internet hot home

Anyone looking for a home to buy knows what to do when their smartphone vibrates signaling a new listing. What most home sellers can't grasp is the immediate impact a new listing has on home buyers. Tech savvy home buyers quickly open up the alert and flip through the photos, see the basic stats like which school it attends or if there is a Continue Reading

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

Preparing for The Appraisal

By Doug Francis

real estate appraisal stress

Understanding the appraisal process can befuddle even the most experienced real estate agent, let along a home buyer or seller. A few weeks ago in Ashburn, Virginia where some clients had a contract to buy a home, the Appraiser showed up to physically inspect the home a few days after the 21-day appraisal contingency expired. Yes, you read that Continue Reading

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

Knowing the Real Estate Market

By Doug Francis

vienna va

People are always surprised when they ask me about a house, and I tell them that I have already been inside. Realistically, I can't see every new listing in Fairfax County without making that my full-time job. But, I do make an effort to see as many as possible especially when a home is interesting to me or to one of my clients. That market Continue Reading

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

The Home Inspection after July 1, 2017

By Doug Francis

Virginia home inspection licensing law

Scheduling a home inspection in Virginia may be a little more difficult after July 1, 2017 when a new licensing law for home inspectors goes into effect. The immediate impact will be a reduction in the home inspector population... yes, fewer home inspectors! Every July new laws go into effect in Virginia, and this year the real estate Continue Reading

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

Surfing the Escalation Clause | Real Estate Tip

By Doug Francis

Venice California sunset Escalation Clause

Bushy, bushy blonde hairdos... surfin' U.S.A - The Beach Boys Escalation clauses can come in like waves... hot one month then totally flat the next. Understanding the Escalation Addendum in a competitive real estate market like ours in Vienna typically happens when buyers find out there is another offer already on the table. The goal is to Continue Reading

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

The 3D Virtual Tour Experience

By Doug Francis

Rotonda 3D Virtual tour

Letting the world tour your McLean condo... can be pretty cool. UPDATE: Yes, this Sold June 2017. The virtual tour played a vital role since it was viewed outside the U.S. International home buyers are starting their search online, and that's why I work with my clients to maximize my digital marketing strategy. Contact me for help or to meet Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, McLean, real estate, Sotheby's, Virtual Tour

New Home Trend in Vienna | Casement Windows

By Doug Francis

Custom Home trends Vienna VA

  Windows must be a priority when designing a custom home, and a new home trend in Vienna is including casement windows to allow maximum light and glass area. Most windows you see here are double-hung, where there are a top and a bottom window, and there is a latch in between. Casement windows have been used in Europe as the Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Custom Homes, real estate, Vienna Virginia

Debt to Income Ratio | Planning Ahead

By Doug Francis

house in Vienna Virginia

One of the first tips I give people when they tell me they plan to buy a house next year is to focus on their Debt-to-Income ratio. Most clients who buy homes get a mortgage, and find out quickly that their finances are about to get scrutinized. Even though ads for rocket-easy mortgages make it appear simple, they will still want you to provide Continue Reading

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

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“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!

Thank you for electing me to the Vienna Town Council!

Doug Francis was elected to the Vienna Town Council

Doug Francis is a Vienna Town Councilmember

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Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

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

Office: 703-319-3344

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Note from Legal…

My clients deserve my undivided loyalty and priority scheduling. Therefore, I exclusively serve buyers and sellers with whom I have signed representation agreements.

Click to check out my past sales!

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