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Is Santa Bringing You A House This Year?

By Doug Francis

Santa looking around the corner

There’s a great Holiday song, originally made famous by Eartha Kitt, called Santa Baby. Some of the lyrics go like this:  “Santa honey, one little thing that I really do need... The deed... “  Wouldn't that be great if you could ask Santa for a new house and get it? For most of us, it isn't that easy. Buying Your Home in 2017 If you’re Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: home buyer, house sales

Want Tips on Making Lowball Offers?

By Doug Francis

Home Shopping Vienna Virginia

If you are lucky enough to be able to buy a home, I'm sure you are looking for an incredible deal. There hasn't been a week recently when someone hasn't mentioned making a lowball offer and how I can help them get a steal deal. Typical tips are to look for homes that have been on the market for a few months, don't get emotional, to be ready to Continue Reading

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

Bad News for Vienna Real Estate

By Doug Francis

Vienna real estate trends

(written in 2011) When a Facebook friend posted a link to an MSN article that ranked Vienna Virginia the 2011 #5 Best Housing Market in America, I just had to cringe since those statements never hold true for long.  Most articles on MSN come from somewhere else and I quickly discovered that the article originated from Bloomberg BusinessWeek -- Continue Reading

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

Vienna helps pick up hurricane debris

By Doug Francis

Tree toppled during Hurricane Irene Vienna VA

One of the benefits of living in the Town of Vienna Virginia happens after big storms like Hurricane Irene pass through the area. That's when the Town sets up a special day to pick up all those broken branches that fell into our yards... and all you need to do is set them out at the curb. Vienna's storm debris pick up day is September 6, Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Fairfax County Virginia, home buyer, Hurricane Irene, real estate, tax rate, Vienna Virginia

Loan Limits for Northern Virginia

By Doug Francis

UPDATE Loan limits for Northern Virginia in 2022 ~ Original Article: Relocation home buyers are typically surprised to learn that Northern Virginia has maximum conforming mortgage loan limits that are higher than most regions of the United States. Northern Virginia real estate ranks as "expensive" considering the region has some of the wealthiest Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: 22180, home buyer, mortgage, Northern Virginia, real estate

Things You Should Know Before Moving to Northern Virginia

By Doug Francis

Potomac Street and Hog Alley Harpers Ferry West Virginia

Relocating here? Well, when I started Things You Should Know Before Moving to Northern Virginia (updated in 2019), I had to force myself to stop at fourteen "things". Over the years I have heard myself giving these tips over and over to clients who are relocating here, so, I thought that I should put down my observations for the world to Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Posts, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: doug francis, Fairfax, home buyer, McLean, Northern Virginia, real estate, traffic, Vienna Virginia, virginia, W&OD bike trail

My Buyer’s Agent Tip of the Week | Luxury Homes

By Doug Francis

Linnaeus Charlottesville VA

Negotiation strategies vary depending on the price range and condition of the house, but the final months of 2010 may be the best time to negotiate on a luxury home thanks, in part, to the capital gains rate going back up on January 1, 2011. Yes, I am going to encourage you to set in motion an action plan that really is a "win-win" negotiating Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Featured Posts, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: great falls, home buyer, Home Buyer Tips, Luxury real estate, McLean, Northern Virginia, Oakton, real estate, Vienna Virginia

10 Home Buyer Mistakes

By Doug Francis

Even if you are an experienced, relocation home buyer moving to Vienna, VA with your company from California, it makes sense to go through this checklist. You will buy a better home and have a better experience. The biggest home buyer mistakes: Choosing a real estate agent who isn't committed to forming a strong business relationship with you. Continue Reading

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: California, home buyer, home inspection, Real estate broker/agent, relocation, 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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