Maybe it was the gray hair, the years of experience, or just being in my late 50's that helped introduce me to clients who are transitioning into retirement and are downsizing. The baby-boomer retirement plan was accelerated by "Covid-19" as long time owners found the old house was just too big. The retirement dream became clear. Deciding to Continue Reading
New Home | No Heat?
As another storm races up the East Coast threatening to dump a foot or more of snow, owners of new homes or retrofitted high-efficiency natural gas furnaces should know this tip. Your natural gas furnace may vent to the side of your house, and it may also intake air from the side of your home. Winds in a blizzard can cause light flaky snow to Continue Reading
10 years ago I started this blog
Then one day you find that, 10 years have got behind you... ~ Time by Pink Floyd There are moments in time such as when your car is 10-years old, your dog is 10, or your kid turns 10, that you realize time passes quickly. Today, 10 years ago, I published my first blog post right here on dougfrancis.com . Short and simple, but a lot of Continue Reading
The House Survey tells a Story
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
Town of Vienna Real Estate Tax Rate 2021-2022
Revised Vienna VA real estate tax rate for 2021 Town of Vienna Real Estate 2021-2022 fiscal year tax rate shall be $.2225 (or 22.25 cents) per every $100 of assessed value. Real estate taxes are paid annually in two installments, due July 28, 2021 and December 5, 2021. The town’s real estate tax rate is 22.25 cents per $100 of assessed Continue Reading
Consider ARMs Again for Your Mortgage
Are we at an Inflection Point? Over the last decade, when home buyers were looking at mortgage rates there wasn't a big difference between fixed rate mortgages and adjustable rate mortgages (ARM). In fact, super-low 30-year fixed rates have ruled the market. Although I don't have a crystal ball, the tea leaves that I'm reading show a Continue Reading
On finding hidden new homes in Vienna
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
How to pick a Settlement Agent
Selecting a Settlement Agent often comes down to a quick decision based on a recommendation from your Realtor. A quick decision? This is an interesting topic since home buyers, in Virginia, are given the option to select a Settlement Agent when they put together their offer to purchase. The idea is that they can compare fees and services, Continue Reading
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