Doug Francis | Realtor

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A Collection of Buyer Tips

Take a few minutes and scroll through this collection of tips for home buyers. Just so you know, I like to write about experiences that clients have because you may be dealing with a similar issue and it might shed a little helpful insight.

Add a Sewer Scope to your Home Inspection

October 24, 2019 By Doug Francis

sewer line inspection

Having a home inspection continues to be essential for anyone who is buying a home in the Vienna real estate market. Since Virginia is a "caveat emptor" state, home buyers will often learn more during a three hour inspection than they would in three years of living in the house. Home inspections are important and continue to get more Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: home inspection, Vienna Real Estate

Title Search – A Next Step after going to Contract

August 10, 2019 By Doug Francis

Title Search in Vienna Real Estate

Having a professional Title Search is an important step that should be ordered by every home buyer quickly after they have entered into a contract to buy a home. Yes, you may see who the seller is online in the county tax records, but there are possibly more specifics out there that require a professional search. Did you notice that I said Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Vienna Real Estate

Locking-In, Commuting, Schools, and …

May 6, 2019 By Doug Francis

MAC Maple Avenue Vienna VA

Three common question I'm hearing in 2019 are: When should we lock-in our rate?I'm commuting to _______, how's the commute?What do you know about the school?Is there shopping nearby? Locking-in a mortgage rate Mortgage rates dropped unexpectedly in early 2019 providing a unique opportunity for anyone who is house hunting to lock-in a Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Vienna Real Estate

Is the wrong school listed online?

March 2, 2019 By Doug Francis

Vienna Virginia public schools Fairfax VA

The truth is, school reputations can make or break real estate values. And why does public school funding usually become a political hot potato when jurisdictions discuss increasing funding or adding a new 1/2 cent meals tax to help fund the schools? Honestly, good schools cement real estate values. (Of course, if that new public school funding is Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Vienna Real Estate

Stormwater and New Homes

February 9, 2019 By Doug Francis

Landscaping stormwater areas in new homes in Vienna VA

Seeing a small ditch or poorly landscaped rocky area is what home buyers are startled to see when looking at new homes in Vienna. They can become an all-consuming focal point... and not in a very good way. First off, there was a rainfall record set in 2018. Stormwater runoff has become an issue across the country as record levels of rain Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: infill homes, landscape design, Vienna Real Estate

The House Survey tells a Story

November 8, 2018 By Doug Francis

Sidewalk easements are common in Vienna VA and Fairfax County

Reading over a house survey is one of the most important steps you will take when you are buying a home, but you may not see it until you are a week away from the Final Settlement. This official drawing is done by a licensed surveyor who will go to the property and create an original map. After finding the corners and taking careful Continue Reading

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

What is a Back-Up Contract?

March 14, 2018 By Doug Francis

Back Up Real Estate Contract Strategy in low inventory markets

"When one door closes, another opens." - Alexander Graham Bell Breaking bad news to a client is the pits. Imagine the call from the buyer's agent saying, "after the home inspection or after reviewing the Homeowner's Association disclosure docs, that the Buyer is declaring the contract Void." Then you have to call your client with the bad Continue Reading

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

Town of Vienna Real Estate Tax Rate 2019-2020

February 21, 2018 By Doug Francis

Vienna VA Town Green

Revised Vienna VA real estate tax rate for 2019 Town of Vienna Real Estate 2019-2020 fiscal year tax rate shall be $.2250 (or 22.5 cents) per every $100 of assessed value. This rate is unchanged from last year. Real estate taxes are paid annually in two installments, due July 28, 2019 and December 5, 2019. The town’s real estate tax rate is Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: 22180, real estate, tax rate, Vienna Virginia

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Navigating real estate websites can get boring quickly since they have the same photos, seller or buyer tips, or multiple links to salesy sites. This site is intentionally different, written from my first-hand perspective to share helpful insights.

This isn’t a part-time gig for me. So, when I’m giving perspective, answers, or strategy, you’ll understand that I’m going to focus on your real estate goals.

I actually started this site as a resource for my clients, but today I have readers who are searching for answers across the Vienna area.

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

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Insights into New Homes in Vienna VA
sewer line inspection

Add a Sewer Scope to your Home Inspection

Having a home inspection continues to be essential for anyone who is buying a home in the Vienna real estate market. Since Virginia is a “caveat emptor” state, home buyers will often learn more during a three hour inspection than they would in three years of living in the house. Home inspections are important and […]

“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 send me an email at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

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

Office: 703-319-3344

Extra Help…

  • Blog (426)
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  • Home Seller Tips (81)
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Why do people hire me?
Doug Francis Washingtonian Best 2017
This material can only be used with my written permission. Opinions are mine. Copyright 2019

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