Doug Francis | Real Estate

  • Meet Doug
  • Selling Your Home
  • Case Studies
  • Let’s Connect

A Trove of (mls)information

By Doug Francis

MarketingCharts.com

It might as well be said by someone, so why not me? Everyone looking to buy a home is using the Internet. 100% = everyone. Whew, that feels good. After reading this morning’s real estate article in The Washington Post where they regurgitated a National Association of Realtors statistic that only 90% of buyers are using the Internet, I Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Homesdatabase, real estate, trulia, Washington Post, zillow

The Whimsical Zestimate Gone Awry

By Doug Francis

I had a good laugh recently when reading Kris Berg’s San Diego real estate blog as she discussed “Zestimates”. “Zestimates” are generated on the web site Zillow.com which has become one of the top-tier real estate web sites in the country. Zillow.com basically takes the MLS data, and then creates an exciting set of graphs and charts that people are Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: home buyer, Home Seller Tips, trulia, Zestimate, Zillow.com

A secret buyer agent search strategy for a home in Vienna, Virginia

By Doug Francis

Yes, another buyer agent secret search strategy for a lucky client living in Vienna, Virginia When I meet with buyer clients, I like to discuss how our home search is going to involve a multi-pronged effort in order to be successful. The client will use the resources of the Internet with sites like Homesdatabase.com,  Realtor.com, Trulia or Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: agent, buyer, buyer agent, home search, MRIS, trulia, zillow

Power lines, law, human nature and real estate

By Doug Francis

An interesting aspect of being a real estate agent is that you get to learn about a variety of subjects such as law, environmental issues, construction, mortgage finance, human behavior, negotiation techniques, legislation, and much more. And the successful agents know that having a team or network of professionals is important to providing the Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: buyer, real estate, technology, trulia

Home search sites are all over, but gimme some help…

By Doug Francis

There are MLS home search sites all over, but the new Homesdatabase.com looks really sharp and easy to use. And my blog adds more too. Should I just add this link to the blog? These are my thoughts on IDX too, as I try to decide to pay for IDX or link to the free site that my clients already seem to like? I understand that finding the house is Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Video Blogs Tagged With: home search, homesdatabase.com, trulia, Vienna, zillow

Going Green in Northern Virginia

By Doug Francis

I recently commented on a question posted on the Trulia web site regarding Going Green when making upgrades to your own house. It is easy to get overwhelmed with the number of issues and choices, and a recent survey showed that 90% of homeowners thought Going Green was important. The person asking the question simply wanted to get an idea of where Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: energy star, going green, trulia, W&OD bike trail

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

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
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!

Search for a subject

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.

Washingtonian Magazine Top Agent 2025 logo
This material can only be used with written permission.

Equal Housing Opportunity

 

Copyright © 2026 Doug Francis · Minimum Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in