Doug Francis | Realtor

  • Our Business
  • About Me
  • Sell Your Home
  • Contact

Home buyers need a plan, and be ready to pull the plug…

September 8, 2009 By Doug Francis

perfect home

It has taken a couple of months, but you are now walking up the stairs and into your new home. It’s actually a little bigger than you thought and you can’t wait to paint the kitchen, replace the carpet, get the FiOS set up, and turn in the keys at the old place. Maybe even take a dip in the pool!

Nice story, but this is the type of mental image that I want my home buyer clients to have in their minds before we start looking for houses. Setting a goal is important and visualizing the ideal or “perfect scenario” makes it  seem a little less intimidating.

Home buying is a rough sport at any level:

  • first-timers
  • move-up
  • retirement (move-out).

The primary complaint that I hear from today’s home buyers is… there is nothing to buy! Well, there are homes to buy depending on the region of the country you are in, and many of those homes may be short-sales (where the seller is asking the bank to forgive his loan for less than he owes) or foreclosed homes (a bank is the owner and seller). In either case, these homes may have issues like needing a lot of updating or fixing up, being sold strictly “as-is”, or the sale is a long-shot to ever get to settlement.

Even with the $8,000 first time home buyer credit, a home that needs all new appliances or carpeting isn’t that attractive. And a first time home buyer may understand why some homes went into foreclosure, like homes overlooking the Beltway or backing to an industrial area. And many people feel uneasy about buying anything for $400,000+ strictly “as-is” – yes, they ain’t fixin’ nuthin’.

home-affordability-index-apr-20091Okay, these scenarios may have scared some of you away but for the person looking for a good home at a discount (from even 1 year ago) and a mortgage rate around 5% then this is the perfect opportunity. Yes, the affordability index is off the charts.

I tell clients to not get emotionally attached to any home until we have completed the home inspection. This is always a contingency included in my client’s offers because our contract specifically states that “the Purchaser may void the contract” after the inspection. It is make or break time… we have a contract, is it still worth it? If not, then we submit the notice to the Seller declaring the contract void and the home buyer is back looking for better options.

By having a clear picture of what you want the end to look like, making the decision to move on to another home will be much easier.

Share this with a friend...Share on FacebookTweet about this on TwitterShare on LinkedInPin on PinterestEmail this to someone

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: $8000 tax credit, buyer, buyer agent, home inspection, negotiating, 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" campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Being able to guide my clients through many real estate sales, either moving out, moving in, or just across town, has been a rewarding experience that helps when discussing a plan with a future client.

Being able to help them focus and understand our proven sales plan always eases their anxiety of this looming personal task. And, putting it into bite-sized steps always helps them get where they really want to be.

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 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

https://youtu.be/ClqEIV1zoQg

Thinking of Moving?

If you want to talk about your house and getting it ready for the market then let's set up a time to talk. Even if it's a second opinion, it's okay. Start here.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

Privacy: Remove 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 a start… imagine you’re Getting Ready to Sell

In 2021, my main strategy is helping each client’s home look their best online with careful planning, staging, and professional photography. The photo above didn’t just happen, it involved my staging team and a creative professional photographer to compose this warm and inviting space. We follow certain steps to add market appeal to every photo. […]

“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 elite clientele has been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients now.

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

Search for a subject

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?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

Logo for Washingtonian Best 2020
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2021 · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in