Doug Francis Real Estate

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The House Survey tells a Story

By Doug Francis

Sidewalk easements are common in Vienna VA and Fairfax County

Reading over a house survey is one of the most important steps you will take when you are buying a home, but you may not see it until you are a week away from the Final Settlement. This official drawing is done by a licensed surveyor who will go to the property and create an original map. After finding the corners and taking careful Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Home Buyer Tips, real estate

On finding hidden new homes in Vienna

By Doug Francis

Hidden new home inventory in Vienna VA

Ask anyone who lives in Vienna or McLean, and they will tell you about the impressive number of new homes being built. Many are custom homes being built for long-time owners, but more often it is an investor or builder scraping off an old house to build a new, semi-custom house to sell. What is happening here in Vienna, McLean, or Falls Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Home Buyer Tips, real estate, 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

Home Buyer Tip | The Home Inspection 2016

By Doug Francis

farm house caveat emtor

Real estate is practiced differently from state to state, and it is critical for Virginia home buyers to understand that the Commonwealth believes in caveat emptor. Latin for "let the buyer beware."  A doctrine that often places on buyers the burden to reasonably examine property before purchase and take responsibility for its condition. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Home Buyer Tips, real estate

Pavlov’s Dog or Today’s Home Buyer?

By Doug Francis

classic vienna real estate

Your head is spinning and then "DING!" chimes your iPhone. It's Zillow alerting you to a perfect four bedroom colonial in the right school district..." - radio ad I heard a version of this ad today in my car and all I could think about was Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov who studied an unconditional response in dogs who would salivate when he Continue Reading

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

Home Buyer Due Diligence

By Doug Francis

Oil tank in Virginia

Virginia is one of those states where home buyers bear the responsibility to investigate a property to their satisfaction before they buy it. You may have heard of caveat emptor before, which means let the buyer beware. So, it is very important for you to know as much about the property as quickly as possible. One line in the Northern Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Home Buyer Tips, virginia

A Pothole for Virginia Home Buyers

By Doug Francis

Every year I get involved in a few real estate transactions where the agent on the other side of the transaction is doing "limited" work.  It is perfectly legal to be a Limited-Services Agent in Virginia, but home buyers should understand what this means for their buyer agent... at least from my perspective. When I started as a real estate Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Northern Virginia, real estate

Afraid of Delaying your Closing?

By Doug Francis

Real estate sales involve a dozen or so people who can easily derail the process. Your objective, when you are buying a home, is to avoid being that weak link that may be delaying closing and adding additional stress. I like to categorize one role of a buyer's agent as a transaction manager helping you stay on track. In 2012, the delayed Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, real estate

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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, home buyers are attracted to Vienna because of the sense of community, walkability, and small town lifestyle.

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

Considering selling your home?

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Just Sold!

Plum Street home with swimming pool

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

Sold!

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Planning to sell your home?

Case Studies

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Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

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Privacy: Hiding your name

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
Staged kitchen for real estate marketing

Here’s my home seller checklist… imagine you’re Getting Ready to Sell

Getting started is the hardest part for many clients. My Vienna home seller checklist will help you get the ball rolling today.

“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!

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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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Vienna Real Estate Guide

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