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Buyer Tips

Seller Tips

Living Here

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.

Tearing Down and Recycling in Vienna

By Doug Francis

vienna tear down recycling

Before we tear down older ramblers or splits in Vienna, there is a period of time when contractors will take houses apart so anything of value can be recycled or donated to a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Copper pipes HVAC systems Appliances Storm Doors But many people don't think about wood boards being recycled Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: new construction, sell my home, tear down, Vienna Virginia

The Equifax Hack and Buying a Home

By Doug Francis

Impact on real estate buyers after Equifax hack

My clients will remember when I said, "Don't go out and buy his and her BMWs until after you are finished buying the house!" Those days were so simple. Innocent really, almost charming. All that has changed after the recent hack of Equifax essentially exposed everyone's personal financial information to a remote outpost on the Dark Web... Continue Reading

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

Deposit Amounts and Negotiations

By Doug Francis

Earnest Money Deposit

Sitting at their kitchen table while explaining the sales contract and putting together a competitive written offer, I was asked... "What's the earnest money deposit formula in Virginia?"  this Vienna home buyer studiously asked. This really isn't an uncommon question because most buyers are reading websites written by mortgage lenders, Continue Reading

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

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

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A little background story…

Doug Francis

Considering selling your home?

https://youtu.be/0ZSodCtsfkY

Just Sold!

Plum Street home with swimming pool

Looking for a house with a pool in Vienna, VA?

Sold!

https://vimeo.com/1003798838?loop=0

Planning to sell your home?

Real examples of before and after real estate work by Doug Francis

Case Studies

My step-by-step guidance | before and after pics Continue Reading

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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
Termite in 2x4

A required termite inspection in your sales contract?

Updated for 2025 Yes, a termite inspection clause is part of the standard Northern Virginia real estate sales contract. You need to keep in mind, this inspection needs to be done within 90 days prior to Settlement. Last week, I received a question via email from an upset seller who had just been told that […]

“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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Vienna Real Estate Guide

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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