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My 15-year RE/MAX Anniversary

November 30, 2009 By Doug Francis

Doug's 15 year RE/MAX CertificateOver the weekend I received an unexpected acknowledgment from RE/MAX International congratulating me for reaching my 15-year mark as a RE/MAX Affiliate.  Yes, I started in 1991 at a local firm in Vienna and made the switch in 1994.

Now this may not seem like a big deal, but it started me thinking about the last fifteen years and where the world was in 1994. Also,  what has been the biggest change in the way I work and how the real estate business ran 15 years ago.

Back then, I had to convince my business card printer to put my e-mail address on my cards so that clients could send me e-mails at my AOL account. My car phone sat in a mounted cradle in my car, and my lock-box key resembled an over-sized car key. The Dator system provided MLS information printed out on dot-matrix printers. And my monthly newsletter was printed up at Kinko’s and mailed out at the start of every month to my database.

When I spoke with one friend, she reminded me that everyone had pagers so they could pick up a phone (or pay phone) and call right back. And our office phone messages were hand written and put in a circular tray with everyone’s name on it.

Getting my e-mail address printed on my business cards was cutting-edge

old Aol logoYes, the Internet was out there but it was dominated by AOL and Prodigy when both companies mailed millions of installation discs to homes every day. And back then, we used to scramble and fax classified ads to beat the print deadlines at The Washington Post!

I guess this milestone should have some significance since the turnover rate for Realtors nationally, according to NAR’s web site, is over 50% every five years. A lot of my success has been working a business plan and keeping a focus on my clients and network of friends to give me exposure and referrals. Marketing is ever changing as consumers expect more… such as this blog vs. my old paper newsletter. But selecting the right broker to work under provided a synergistic relationship, and the affiliation with RE/MAX International gave me technical training and exposure that supported my efforts.

Yes, I know there are some agents who frequent my posts, so let me know what you feel is the biggest change in your business in the past 5, 10 or 15+ years?

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Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: agent, re/max, real estate, technology

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" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

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

My background… I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and sell homes in all price ranges. 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 me help you too: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

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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 clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

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

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6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

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