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Step One for Real Estate Buyers

By Doug Francis

This "Step One" concept actually came to me after trying to buy a mini-van at a car dealership. With good intentions, my wife and I brought our toddler into a Ford dealership to buy a (dreaded) mini-van for our growing family. But after 2 1/2 hours of car dealership bull sh t crap, we walked out the door with a crying child (hunger pains) and no Continue Reading

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

Realtor Jargon

By Doug Francis

Don't be so intimidated to ask your Realtor to explain terminology. Yes, I know you TiVo HGTV so you can watch House Hunters with breakfast but I also understand that some jargon remains a mystery. If there is something, then leave me a note or suggestion. Don't be cryptic please. But, before that excitement, read some of the questions Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Confusion, Contract, Realtor Jargon, Vienna

Want to Know what Home Sellers Want from you?

By Doug Francis

The real estate market in Northern Virginia has been very competitive recently. And if you are a home buyer here,  then you know it's actually Über-Competitive. It is easy to understand that anyone selling their home wants the highest price, but I thought I should share some strategic buyer tips that will help your offer be even more Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Down payment, Northern Virginia, real estate, Vienna

An Easy Real Estate Tip

By Doug Francis

Viva Vienna Virginia Mural

If you are like most hopeful real estate buyers in Northern Virginia, you are probably noticing that there aren't many nice homes out there to buy right now. Not to bore you with more real estate stats, but from Vienna to Ashburn, it's slim pickins out there! You are not alone. I just read an article from Redfin's CEO on TechCrunch about how Continue Reading

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

Power for your Digital Natives

By Doug Francis

Mud Room Vienna Virginia real estate Sekas Homes

When I read about a Pew Research study conducted earlier this year that revealed that half of Americans now use Smartphones, their number seemed far too low since all of my real estate clients seem to use them non-stop. Smartphones are perfect to help people search for homes, read about the local schools or review "walk-scores", and that Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Luxury Homes in Vienna, real estate, Vienna

Vienna Bakery Bake-off

By Doug Francis

Cenan's Bakery Vienna Virginia

One really nice perk about living in Vienna Virginia is the quality of many of the local stores, especially when it comes to delicious food. Although people will probably contest the results of an unscientific best local bakery poll being conducted by the Vienna Patch, an online magazine, the idea got me out and into some stores that I probably Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Living Here Tagged With: Food, Vienna, Vienna Virginia

The Final Walk Through Inspection

By Doug Francis

Walk though inspection before Settlement

Having a final walk through prior to going to settlement on a house is customary in Northern Virginia real estate, and I recommend that clients do this once the seller has moved all their stuff out of the house. Basically, the objective is to make sure that the house is in the same condition as when you agreed to buy it, that anything included in Continue Reading

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

Driving between McLean and Vienna this weekend?

By Doug Francis

Route 123 Closed June 12 and June 13, 2010

UPDATE October 15th: Route 123 in Tysons Corner is closed again to demolish a beltway overpass. It is scheduled to last until Monday at 5:00 a.m. New Press Release Original post Just in case you missed the press release, Route 123 between McLean and Vienna VA will be closed June 12 and 13 as they demolish a 495 (The Capital Beltway) Continue Reading

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Living Here Tagged With: International Drive, McLean Virginia, Roads and Highways, traffic, Tysons Corner Virginia, Vienna

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A little background story…

Doug Francis

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!

Doug Francis was elected to the Vienna Town Council

Doug Francis is a Vienna Town Councilmember

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Contact

Doug: (703) 304-6827

TTR Sotheby's International Realty
6723 Whittier Avenue McLean, VA 22101

Office: 703-319-3344

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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.

Click to check out my past sales!

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