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A Search for Simplicity and Market Pressure

October 24, 2020 By Doug Francis

Front porch search for simplicity

Any home buyer’s search for simplicity in the current Vienna real estate market will feel the immense pressure to make a super competitive offer on literally anything that pops up which checks most of the boxes. It’s all around, even for sellers moving to a new market, the national inventory is slim and under crushing pressure.

Take a look at this live chart which shows five years of monthly listings that hit the Vienna, VA market. To simplify it, I just included homes that are “detached” and not condos or townhomes.

This interactive chart will also show the monthly decline year over year when you slide over a month. The trend has been downward which will likely continue as rates remain low and people decide to move for specific personal reasons.

According to the National Association of Realtors, nationally, September 2020 showed the lowest inventory of previously owned homes for sale since 1982.

Now that’s scarcety!

The clients who are moving and navigating this environment with the least stress are doing things differently than they did a year or two ago. And having them gain perspective early on and shift the sequence of events is the going to be the process for a while..

The common goal?

It’s a search for simplicity.


Obstacles to a healthy real estate market

As people desperately search for the ideal home, let’s look at some of the current issues that I see creating this current housing logjam.

COVID-19

Think about having an open house at your home this weekend?

Just the thought of strangers roaming through your home may have given you a shiver. It should!

Wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, and even signing a COVID-19 Access Acknowledgment have become standard ops.

Finding a place to move

The biggest problem is, obviously, finding a new place to move to. With people working virtually, being near the office isn’t a high priority right now. That alone literally opens up the whole country!

For those retiring, there are new priorities that weren’t included a few years ago like living near grandchildren or adult family members. Appreciation for simplicity has become an important focus.

Rising Prices


Pricing pressure is intense in the current market. For example, this chart looks at detached homes in Fairfax County, VA. Notice the dramatically steep trend upwards over the last year.


The search for a community with values

Although economists never seem to mention this, I feel there is a huge transfer of wealth moving around the country these days as people leave expensive real estate markets and start to house hunt in less expensive markets.

Sellers from these expensive markets are seeing homes that look like bargains. The x-factor today, compared to 2005, is that buyers are searching for a sense of community where there is simplicity in day to day life. That’s worth paying for.

What is essential for my clients considering selling their home is to give them the perspective from someone who is moving to Vienna. Having a big, flat back yard with plenty of sunlight, vegetable gardens, and space for a Whiffle Ball game looks like a dream! And for someone moving from New York, DC, or Los Angeles, it may also look like a bargain.

Using Vienna for example, someone will search Zillow for homes to buy, but today they will also turn to social media sites like NextDoor, Facebook or Instagram. Find out about the glass recycling program. Or, they pick up on events, and grass roots Facebook Groups like Vienna Foodies or @RusticLoveVienna which have engaged the local community with a sense of common purpose and civic pride.

Rustic Love Vienna VA sign in front of Bazins on Church restaurant
Rustic Love Vienna

There is something very appealing to the simplicity of these community groups. They may also stumble upon a Zoom class with The Vienna Arts Society.

In a recent conversation with a colleague in our Annapolis office, he mentioned that the waterfront inventory around St. Michaels this Spring went from 46 available homes to 6 in four months. People wanted the simplicity of the natural beauty on the Eastern Shore while maintaining easy access to Washington, D.C.

About three years ago, a friend decided to set up his real estate business in Bend, Oregon. Bend was reasonably priced, had great Internet speeds, and has an ideal outdoor lifestyle. Then, much to my surprise, last year one of my clients moved to Bend to work at Bend Studio. Lifestyle… wow!

I have had a few clients go through similar life shifts where they researched towns for a lifestyle that was a good fit, and not just a retirement or golf course community. A vibrant arts scene, music scene, or farm to table market have all been factors when deciding where to move.

Each time they were getting a handle on the real estate market, areas to live and shop, and understand the unique architecture in the community so they could confidently act when they had made a decision to move.


Take the time and live it!

Becoming confident really does require careful planning.

If you are searching for simplicity, then a good start to know where you want to be is by investing some of your time.

  • Narrow your focus
  • Airbnb in that area for two weeks or two months
  • Rent a home there for a year

Finally, you may have read the book What Color is Your Parachute? when you were searching for a job or career change. This book was intended to help readers self explore through writing and being thoughtful. The writing exercises may help you prepare for your next move.

With so much pressure on the market, now is a smart time to concentrate and research where you want your life to take you next.

Cheers!

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

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!

6808 BROYHILL ST
MCLEAN, VA
Photo of 6808 BROYHILL ST, MCLEAN, VA 22101 (MLS # VAFX2137956)
$2,499,000
49
  • Lot Size
    16,989 sqft

  • Home Size
    6,708 sqft

  • Beds
    6 Beds

  • Baths
    7 Baths

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Case Studies

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Vienna Real Estate

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102 JAMES DR SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
$2,199,888
Lot Size
10,019 sqft

Home Size
1,062 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

2511 BABCOCK RD
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
$1,295,000
Lot Size
14,811 sqft

Home Size
3,240 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

8807 HIGDON DR
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
$1,088,888
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
2,410 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

610 MEADOW LN SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
$1,495,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
3,368 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
6 Baths

626 HILLCREST DR SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
$3,600,000
Lot Size
23,523 sqft

Home Size
9,092 sqft

Beds
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Baths
9 Baths

904 DALE CT SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
$1,795,000
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
4,937 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
5 Baths

9838 CORAL BELLS CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
$1,200,000
Lot Size
20,038 sqft

Home Size
3,020 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

10009 MURNANE ST
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
$3,300,000
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
9,750 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
9 Baths

131 KINGSLEY RD SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
$2,525,000
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
7,793 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

3005 SPICE CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
$599,000
Lot Size
1,307 sqft

Home Size
1,940 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

  • 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
    $2,199,888
    Lot Size
    10,019 sqft

    Home Size
    1,062 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
    $1,295,000
    Lot Size
    14,811 sqft

    Home Size
    3,240 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 8807 HIGDON DR
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
    $1,088,888
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    2,410 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
    $1,495,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    3,368 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    6 Baths

  • 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
    $3,600,000
    Lot Size
    23,523 sqft

    Home Size
    9,092 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
    $1,795,000
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    4,937 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    5 Baths

  • 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
    $1,200,000
    Lot Size
    20,038 sqft

    Home Size
    3,020 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
    $3,300,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    9,750 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
    $2,525,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    7,793 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
    $599,000
    Lot Size
    1,307 sqft

    Home Size
    1,940 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

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Home sellers are often caught off guard when I explain that today’s home buyers will decide on their house before ever stepping foot in it. The days of spending hours driving around looking at seven, eight, or nine houses on a sunny Saturday are over. Yes, meeting at 9:00 a.m. to review the available listings […]

“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
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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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TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

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