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Where is my House Survey?

By Doug Francis

Vienna_virginia_house_location_survey

Twice in the past month I have sat with clients at closing and they asked, "where is the house survey?" The house location survey is an accurate drawing of the property that will show the corners, fences, driveway, house, shed, deck, or patio and include some very important measurements. Your lender doesn't require it In my twenty one years as Continue Reading

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

Getting a Closing Costs Credit?

By Doug Francis

It isn't unusual for a home buyer to ask the seller, in their written offer, to give a specific dollar credit at closing to pay some of the buyer's closing costs. And with mortgage folks favoring 20% down payments then that credit can really help with the other typical closing expenses. Does your offer? Offering to pay some of the buyer's Continue Reading

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

Let’s Review those Closing Costs Again

By Doug Francis

Good and bad

Update: Today's Washington Post (2/12) has a revised advertisement from the credit union that was the subject of this blog post, stating that they will pay $10,000 toward closing costs. Not the $100,000 that they previously advertised. ORIGINAL POST: When a real estate client came to me all pumped up because his Credit Union was offering to Continue Reading

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

5 Tips for Condo Buyers Paying Cash

By Doug Francis

Reston Virginia monthly financing

Condo buyers that pay cash are typically savvy real estate investors looking to cash in on the current low prices with plans to rent out the properties. Although there are many places where that plan is a good bet, places such as Reston, Virginia may be a whole other story. You see, Reston is an ideal location for investors because a Metrorail Continue Reading

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

Home Sale Radon Testing Contingency

By Doug Francis

Radon Reduction System Vienna VA

It is not a requirement that you test for Radon when you put in an offer to buy a home in Northern Virginia, but it is probably a good idea. The Radon Inspection Contingency in the Sales Contract puts some structure into getting a "short-term" radon test done on any home to make sure the levels of Radon on the lowest level of the home are below the Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Radon, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Vienna Virginia

Is A School Part of Your Home Search Criteria?

By Doug Francis

Did you enter a specific school into your search criteria and still missed that hot new listing last weekend? Aren't those "search sites" supposed to make it easy for the consumer you? So, last weekend I was checking the MRIS database and noticed a Vienna VA real estate listing that didn't have any schools identified. Since I keep an eye out for Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, doug francis, Home Seller Tips, Northern Virginia, Single-Family, Vienna VA Homes

Yes, Reviews are Relevant

By Doug Francis

Doug Francis REALTOR Reviews

After a few real estate clients found me online, I asked how they stumbled across me or my Northern Virginia Real Estate Blog. Often it was a top Google result when they asked a question or one of my home listings showed up on one of the 10,548 "home search/IDX" sites that are out there. And when they drilled down, they found that my real estate Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: buyer agent, Home Seller Tips, McLean, Oakton, real estate, Reviews, Vienna Virginia

Adding a Deadline to Your Real Estate Offer

By Doug Francis

Bronze Pigs

If you are planning to make an offer on real estate then remember that real estate offers must be in writing to be enforceable. Period! Although the real estate sales contract process is different around the U.S., having the terms on paper is the essential first step. The contact price, financing terms, closing date, and contingencies build a Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: 22180, buyer agent, negotiating, 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?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

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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This material can only be used with written permission.

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