Doug Francis Real Estate

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The Equifax Hack and Buying a Home

By Doug Francis

Impact on real estate buyers after Equifax hack

My clients will remember when I said, "Don't go out and buy his and her BMWs until after you are finished buying the house!" Those days were so simple. Innocent really, almost charming. All that has changed after the recent hack of Equifax essentially exposed everyone's personal financial information to a remote outpost on the Dark Web... Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, Living Here Tagged With: FICO, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, real estate

Deposit Amounts and Negotiations

By Doug Francis

Earnest Money Deposit

Sitting at their kitchen table while explaining the sales contract and putting together a competitive written offer, I was asked... "What's the earnest money deposit formula in Virginia?"  this Vienna home buyer studiously asked. This really isn't an uncommon question because most buyers are reading websites written by mortgage lenders, Continue Reading

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

iPhone Alerts and the Miracle Weekend

By Doug Francis

internet hot home

Anyone looking for a home to buy knows what to do when their smartphone vibrates signaling a new listing. What most home sellers can't grasp is the immediate impact a new listing has on home buyers. Tech savvy home buyers quickly open up the alert and flip through the photos, see the basic stats like which school it attends or if there is a Continue Reading

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

Preparing for The Appraisal

By Doug Francis

real estate appraisal stress

Understanding the appraisal process can befuddle even the most experienced real estate agent, let along a home buyer or seller. A few weeks ago in Ashburn, Virginia where some clients had a contract to buy a home, the Appraiser showed up to physically inspect the home a few days after the 21-day appraisal contingency expired. Yes, you read that Continue Reading

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

Knowing the Real Estate Market

By Doug Francis

vienna va

People are always surprised when they ask me about a house, and I tell them that I have already been inside. Realistically, I can't see every new listing in Fairfax County without making that my full-time job. But, I do make an effort to see as many as possible especially when a home is interesting to me or to one of my clients. That market Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, 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

Surfing the Escalation Clause | Real Estate Tip

By Doug Francis

Venice California sunset Escalation Clause

Bushy, bushy blonde hairdos... surfin' U.S.A - The Beach Boys Escalation clauses can come in like waves... hot one month then totally flat the next. Understanding the Escalation Addendum in a competitive real estate market like ours in Vienna typically happens when buyers find out there is another offer already on the table. The goal is to Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, real estate, Vienna Virginia

The 3D Virtual Tour Experience

By Doug Francis

Rotonda 3D Virtual tour

Letting the world tour your McLean condo... can be pretty cool. UPDATE: Yes, this Sold June 2017. The virtual tour played a vital role since it was viewed outside the U.S. International home buyers are starting their search online, and that's why I work with my clients to maximize my digital marketing strategy. Contact me for help or to meet Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips, McLean, real estate, Sotheby's, Virtual Tour

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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?

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?

Case Studies

Continue Reading

Have a question?

Homeowners: Add a level of privacy

name withheld by request

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?

Search for homes in Vienna

Vienna Real Estate Guide

This material can only be used with written permission.

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