Doug Francis | Real Estate

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What is a Home Inspection?

By Doug Francis

Vienna Virginia earthquake

Although every home buyer wants a home inspection, there really isn't any set criteria to help them know what to expect. If you are a home buyer, an inspection typically takes place after a contract has been accepted or ratified by you and the seller. There will be a set contingency period when you will hire a professional home inspector to make Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Video Blogs Tagged With: Northern Virginia

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

When Should You Respond to Counter Offers?

By Doug Francis

DocuSign Digital Signature

There isn't anything worse than waiting for an answer. Yes or No. Come on man, just let me know! The tip that I give my Northern Virginia real estate clients is to respond to any type of offer quickly, and to take every one seriously. Speed is very powerful when negotiating. In real estate, a quick response is powerful If that answer is too Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: DocuSign, Home Seller Tips, negotiating, Northern Virginia, real estate, technology, tips, Vienna Virginia

Are School Ratings part of your Home Search?

By Doug Francis

Zillow School Ranking

Edited from original post in 2014 Are home buyers obsessed with school ratings on real estate websites? In 2023, they still are! Most real estate sites now have data on local schools and show ratings from 1-10 on the overall performance (test results) and then give summaries and some parent comments on actual experiences. For example, take Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Video Blogs Tagged With: Fairfax, Home Buyer Tips, Northern Virginia

So, what is my home worth?

By Doug Francis

Vienna va real estate sales chart

One of the most important benefits an experienced real estate agent brings to the table is the ability to recommend an "asking price" to a home seller. Unlike cars, each home is totally unique depending on condition, how it sits on the lot,  location, and many other important factors. Has the Northern Virginia real estate market stabilized? The Continue Reading

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

Yes, it’s your Second Showing

By Doug Francis

When a home buyer decides to look at a home again, agents will call this a "second showing". Sometimes a third or fourth showing might be needed before a home buyer makes the decision to write up an offer, but it is important for you (Mr./Ms. Home Seller) to understand the new "first showing" concept. There was a time when real estate agents Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Seller Tips, Video Blogs Tagged With: Home Seller Tips, Northern Virginia, real estate, Vienna Virginia

Cherry Blossoms

By Doug Francis

Yoshino Cherry Blossom Washington DC

One of the nice things about living in Northern Virginia is the arrival of springtime. And for the last 100 years, that means the arrival of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms. The National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place in Washington DC where cherry trees seem to be all over. But the most spectacular site is at the Jefferson Memorial overlooking Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: National Cherry Blossom Festival, Northern Virginia, Vienna Virginia, Washington DC

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

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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

Have a question?

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
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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