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It takes more than the crystal ball to understand real estate

May 5, 2009 By Doug Francis

crystal-ball

Are you still looking into that crystal ball?

You know, like when you were searching for the bottom of the market, the lowest interest rate to refinance, or if the economy is sending a signal of a turn around.

In the April 27th issue of BusinessWeek, there was an article titled “What Good are Economists Anyway?” that really put the screws to high-profile economists for missing the current downturn in the world economy and housing sector. BW can pick some hot topics, but I feel it is probably better for everyone to get out the crystal ball to look at the future instead of the mistakes of the past.

Many real estate web blogs are filled with dry statistics provided by the local MLS, Realtor Association or RealtyTrac. These are very important to economists and real estate obsessed nerds, but ask the average home buyer who is actively searching for a home or home seller waiting for an offer and then you will get a different picture, quickly.

Every market across the United States, such as Northern Virginia, Austin, Chicago, Las Vegas,  Phoenix, Portland,  San Antonio, San Diego or Seattle, has a set of distinct personalities. In addition, these personalities can seem schizophrenic to an economist sitting in an academic setting. While the market in Phoenix or San Diego may be losing value, simultaneously the Austin market may be seeing slight price appreciation. That is why real estate will always be local, almost neighborhood by neighborhood specific, and invisible to interpretation by celebrity economists.jm-keynes

Over my past 18 years in the business, I have met agents from all over the country traveling to training events in Seattle, Denver, Austin, Boston, Atlanta and Philadelphia. And I do my best to touch base with that network to give me insight that may benefit my clients here in Northern Virginia. The data may be not as academic as what you see in official reports, but should be an excellent peek into the “ground-floor” of the real estate business.

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: bottom, buyer, seller, short-sale

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

Helping my clients add value to their homes has always been important to me. My step-by-step recommendations are intended to increase market appeal, return more than invested, and help net more when selling.

Beyond just sellers, I have helped many new homeowners make smart design decisions when remodeling. We gutted our house and totally remodeled it, and I pass that experience along because living in a nice house is simply better.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and 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.

Questions? Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

Filmed in Vienna and McLean

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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 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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