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Vienna, VA | My Buyer Agent tip of the week… compare

By Doug Francis

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Last Sunday I popped into an Open House in Vienna, VA to take a quick look at a home for sale. Yes, I can get in anytime with my SentriCard but, in this case, I was on my way home from showing a listing and it wasn’t out of my way. Market research and /or market knowledge is something my clients like to hear me discuss, so, I try and walk through as many homes as possible… and wow, was this home over-priced for the condition it was in.

As I was leaving and chatting with the agent, a couple came in for a look too. They parked their silver BMW with Washington D.C. plates right behind my car, obviously out looking at “open houses” in Vienna on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Shopping for a house to buy must be based on comparison shopping

I always tell buyer clients that home shopping is comparison shopping at a whole new level. Of course that’s only when we are seeing everything available that they can really compare apples to apples. It is my straight forward buyer agent tip to assure them it is okay just to look.

But that couple from D.C. wasn’t going to see a home in better condition just up the road and priced $100,000 less because it wasn’t “open”. I showed that other home to a client a few days before and it had new hardwood floors, a remodeled kitchen, a new master bath that must have cost a pretty penny, and more square footage! Plus, the home they weren’t seeing also had tons more curb appeal.

There are just too many variables in homes to make conclusions from a picture and a paragraph… hence the word “real”. Real means tangible, and that’s why getting into all the homes available is a key strategy for finding the right house and ultimately living the way you imagined. It takes time to gain that knowledge and I add to that every week.  I feel it is a safe bet that the D.C. couple would have been floored if I had showed them the competition.

Really.

I advise seller clients to prepare for comparison shoppers because they don’t want to sell the house down the street that appears to be a better value.  And I advise buyer clients on the local real estate market, pros and cons of each house we see, mortgages, typical closing cost expenses, commuting options, schools, and sometimes where the closest Trader Joe’s is located.

I am now planning with clients for the 2015 market.

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

About Doug Francis

A seasoned Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug has seen consumer behavior, negotiations and communication styles change. At his original brokerage, he was the first agent to add an email address. Imagine! Outside real estate, he plays tennis, is a Washington Capitals fan, spends time with Skipper (his dog), and enjoys the restaurant scene in the DCA. He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

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, home buyers are attracted to Vienna because of the sense of community, walkability, and small town lifestyle.

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 still sell homes in all price ranges. 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!

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“Doug nailed it! Within days, we had three offers, one of which not only met, but far exceeded all of our goals.”
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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!

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Doug: (703) 304-6827

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

Office: 703-319-3344
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