Doug Francis | Real Estate

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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!

Vienna helps pick up hurricane debris

By Doug Francis

Tree toppled during Hurricane Irene Vienna VA

One of the benefits of living in the Town of Vienna Virginia happens after big storms like Hurricane Irene pass through the area. That's when the Town sets up a special day to pick up all those broken branches that fell into our yards... and all you need to do is set them out at the curb. Vienna's storm debris pick up day is September 6, Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Fairfax County Virginia, home buyer, Hurricane Irene, real estate, tax rate, Vienna Virginia

Cherry Blossoms

By Doug Francis

Yoshino Cherry Blossom Washington DC

One of the nice things about living in Northern Virginia is the arrival of springtime. And for the last 100 years, that means the arrival of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms. The National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in Washington DC where cherry trees seem to be all over. But the most spectacular site is at the Jefferson Memorial overlooking Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: National Cherry Blossom Festival, Northern Virginia, Vienna Virginia, Washington DC

Coffee at Caffe Amouri

By Doug Francis

Coffee Roaster at Caffe Amouri Vienna VA

A couple of years ago a unique little coffee house popped up in Vienna that reminded me of a shop in Seattle where I had a cup of coffee one morning. It just has the right feel and I became a fan immediately. Maybe it is the album covers on the walls? Not sure, but Caffè Amouri just has the right, low key vibe. Coffee | Espresso | Tea It is Caffè Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Coffee, Vienna Virginia, W&OD bike trail

Christmas Tree Shopping in Vienna

By Doug Francis

Vienna Virginia Christmas Tree Shopping

Updated for 2016 Today was a busy one along Maple Avenue (Route 123) in Vienna VA  as cars were pulling out of parking lots with Christmas trees tied to their roofs heading home. It is a tough business to be in these days as long-standing community groups have stands set up as fund raisers. Lions Club - The Vienna Lions Club has a stand set Continue Reading

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

Things You Should Know Before Moving to Northern Virginia

By Doug Francis

Potomac Street and Hog Alley Harpers Ferry West Virginia

Relocating here? Well, when I started Things You Should Know Before Moving to Northern Virginia (updated in 2019), I had to force myself to stop at fourteen "things". Over the years I have heard myself giving these tips over and over to clients who are relocating here, so, I thought that I should put down my observations for the world to Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Posts, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: doug francis, Fairfax, home buyer, McLean, Northern Virginia, real estate, traffic, Vienna Virginia, virginia, W&OD bike trail

Fire Safety at Home

By Doug Francis

As I sat reading The Washington Post with my fresh cup of coffee about a dozen years ago, I came across an article about a townhouse fire in Falls Church VA on Dominion Way. It had been the evening before, and I thought about the fact that some of my real estate clients lived on Dominion Way. "Jeepers, I wonder if they saw the fire?" I Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: 22101, 22180, 22182, Falls Church Virginia, town house, Vienna Virginia, Washington Post

Vienna Real Estate is a Top Location

By Doug Francis

Freeman House on Church Street in Vienna Virginia

As Northern Virginia continues to become a center for corporations to move their headquarters, relocating employees are confronted with the decision of where to live. The list of concerns includes housing prices, types of homes available, commuting time to work, access to the Metro system, proximity to shopping and recreation, schools, friends and Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: 22180, 22181, 22182, home buyer, real estate, Vienna Virginia, Vienna VA Real Estate, vienna va real estate agent

Trimming your neighbor’s tree?

By Doug Francis

Oak Tree Vienna Virginia

"Doug, these trees are wonderful!" exclaimed a client last fall as we drove along Miller Heights Road in Oakton, VA looking for a home to buy. For those of you from San Diego or Colorado, we have very large Oaks (hence "Oakton"), Maples, Sycamores, and Sweetgums that can give the impression we have forests amongst our manicured suburban Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: 22180, living in Vienna, Northern Virginia, Reston, town house, Tree, Vienna Virginia

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A little background story…

Doug Francis

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Plum Street home with swimming pool

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

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

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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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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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