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Living Here

Living Here in Northern Virginia

This collection of posts is intended to help you get a feeling what it is like to live here. Many clients who relocate to Vienna or nearby aren't sure what to expect ~ hopefully this will be a collection that is interesting. Some are written by me, and some are written by local bloggers. Enjoy!

Become an Inova blood donor

By Doug Francis

Doug Francis at Woodburn Center Inova Blood Donor Services Virginia

After the Covid-19 crisis, there are far fewer donation programs going on at business offices around Northern Virginia. The problem is that the demand for blood has remained the same as in 2018. The easiest way for you to become part of the Northern Virginia community is to become a regular blood donor. Yes, you can "give back" by spending about Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Blood donation, Northern Virginia, Reston Town Center, Vienna Virginia

What I told MONEY about Living in Vienna

By Doug Francis

Town of Vienna Virgina ranked as best places to live in Money Magazine in 2013

Updated in August 2023 This is the 10th anniversary of the cover article in Money Magazine that I contributed to which launched the Town of Vienna to the top of the list of places to live in the United States. There used to be a website called "Help a Reporter Out" (HARO) and I vaguely remember responding to a request for help. Ultimately, I Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Posts, Living Here Tagged With: doug francis, real estate, Vienna Virginia

Appealing a Fairfax Real Estate Assessment 2023

By Doug Francis

How to appeal and win a Fairfax County real estate tax assessment 2022

Updated for 2023 Deadline for Appeal is April 3, 2023 Especially if the next owner of your home will probably tear it down to build a brand new home, then you should carefully examine your 2023 Fairfax County Real Estate Assessment to see if the "Building" value jumped. Personally, my 2023 Fairfax County tax assessment jumped 6.06%. In Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Seller Tips, Living Here Tagged With: Fairfax tax assessment, Vienna Real Estate

Glass recycling in Vienna

By Doug Francis

Purple glass recycling location in Vienna Virginia

The glass dumpster is BACK! A glass recycling dumpster is available on Mill Street NE near Capitol Building Supply, Sheets Lumber or on your way to Caboose Tavern in Vienna. Pay attention, you'll need to start visiting it weekly because... As you may know, glass picked up with your curbside recycling now goes to the landfill. The old plan of Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: recycling, Vienna Virginia

Newer homes in Vienna

By Doug Francis

front porch vienna va

Deciding to buy a new home in Vienna can often leave buyers waiting nine to twelve months, committed to making hundreds of critical last-minute selections from appliances to floor colors (to pick just two), leaving them totally exasperated month after month. Last year, a few clients bought excellent "almost new" custom homes that were only two, Continue Reading

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

Vienna Town Green ~ Lifestyle

By Doug Francis

Viva Vienna Vienna Idol event on the Town Green sponsored by Caffe Amouri

In the center of Vienna is the Town Green which hosts activities year-round. The Town Green ties together Maple Avenue and Church Street hugging the W&OD Trail, and it is across the street from Whole Foods so visitors can easy pick up a picnic while attending an event. Recently my daughter and I attended the grand finale of Vienna Idol, a Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Vienna Virginia

Locking-In, Commuting, Schools, and …

By Doug Francis

MAC Maple Avenue Vienna VA

Updated in 2023 Three common questions I'm hearing in 2019 are: 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 long-term mortgage rate. This is really cheap money and it can really help you financially since it is a fixed expense Continue Reading

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

10 years ago I started this blog

By Doug Francis

Doug Francis real estate agent Vienna Virginia

Then one day you find that, 10 years have got behind you... ~ Time by Pink Floyd There are moments in time such as when your car is 10-years old, your dog is 10, or your kid turns 10, that you realize time passes quickly. Today, 10 years ago, I published my first blog post right here on dougfrancis.com . Short and simple, but a lot of Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: doug francis, real estate, Vienna Virginia

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Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house in Vienna, we were thinking about raising the kids, building an addition, and knowing the neighbors. Today, many of those great neighbors have retired and I was able to help them take that next step smoothly.

So, what’s next after your 25 years? It’s a conversation many of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or get closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead with their updated plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background: I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, have negotiated hundreds of sales contracts, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and help clients get organized helping maximize the value for today’s home buyer. I donate to the Town of Vienna tree replacement fund, participate in a neighborhood citizens association, and try my best to stay in shape.

Let’s discuss your moving plans: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 .  Cheers!

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!

Yes, I am a candidate for the Vienna Town Council this year, 11/4/2025. Learn More Now!

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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?

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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.

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