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Is the wrong school listed online?

March 2, 2019 By Doug Francis

The truth is, school reputations can make or break real estate values.

And why does public school funding usually become a political hot potato when jurisdictions discuss increasing funding or adding a new 1/2 cent meals tax to help fund the schools?

Honestly, good schools cement real estate values.

(Of course, if that new public school funding is coming from a new casino gambling or from the sale of legal marijuana (pot), politicians get stoked! But a 1/2 cent meal tax, you’d think the economy was going to collapse.)

But the reality is, schools impact real estate values.

Even, perceived value.

iPhones & real estate apps

Finding a home in 2019 is super easy since you add apps like Redfin/Zillow/or Trulia and then get an alert instantly when there is a match.

DING!

These are so addictive, and literally, consume the lives of buyers and sellers.

If you have already bought a home… delete that app now!


Vienna Real Estate & FCPS

In late 2018, the core backbone for every real estate app was impacted by the conversion to BrightMLS. BrightMLS is the Aorta of the Washington D.C. metropolitan area real estate information.

think of the sun…

Even in 2019, the data that is added to BrightMLS is done 50% by the Realtor handling the sale for the owner, known as the Listing Agent.

Much information is auto-populated by BrightMLS and the agent adds comments, photos, heating and cooling info, school info, and other stuff depending on their mood. Maybe they feel creative like a marketer, or in a rush to get a home listed with the minimum amount of details required.

Actually the first time missing information helped my buyer client was five years ago when a listing agent put no school information in. That house went to my client’s preferred elementary school, Louise Archer which I recognized immediately.

The problem for people depending on their app… it didn’t flag that home.

Today, BrightMLS still asks agents to add school information even though many home buyers depend 100% on “the right” school.

So the weak link remains whether the agent was paying attention.

The wrong school can be a deal-breaker

Funding schools, paying teachers, modernizing existing schools is critical to the economic health of Fairfax County. Communities with schools rated below 5 face hard times when trying to increase real estate values.

It’s a great house, but no way because the school is a 4!

 

But what happens if the Listing Agent doesn’t add any school, or, God forbid, adds the wrong school?

Trust, but Verify

My tip for any concerned parent or homeowner who is selling a home, trust what you see online but know that you also need to verify the school information.

In Fairfax County, I go to the Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) website and look at the schools listing for an address especially if it is near a boundary line. Trust, but verify.

Have an address? Then search for it on the FCPS.edu site.

In the end, you may find that the wrong school is listed online and that may influence your home buying decision. Especially in Fairfax County, public schools influence the value of real estate significantly.

Filed Under: Blog, Home Buyer Tips, Home Seller Tips Tagged With: Home Buyer Tips, Vienna Real Estate

About Doug Francis

A Realtor specializing in unique and new homes around Vienna, Virginia, Doug started writing a first-hand blog about his everyday real estate experiences a decade ago. In-depth, helpful and fun has always been the objective. Outside real estate, he was profiled in a commercial for Verisign's "Where the World Clicks" global ad campaign, and was quoted in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live article on Vienna (#3!). He's a Boston University graduate who feels morning coffee is non-negotiable.

Vienna real estate agent Doug Francis

When we bought our house, we were thinking about raising the kids, updating, and building an addition. With our kids now out of college, our plans are looking at our next phase, especially after seeing friends move away and adjust their lifestyles.

So, what’s next after 25 years? It’s a conversation lots of my clients are having with me as they plan to move to the beach, travel, or move closer to grandkids. Helping them see their future, sell their current home, and move ahead to their new plan has been an interesting new chapter.

My background… I am an active licensed agent in Virginia, work at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty in McLean, and 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 me help you too: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

6808 BROYHILL ST
MCLEAN, VA
Photo of 6808 BROYHILL ST, MCLEAN, VA 22101 (MLS # VAFX2137956)
$2,499,000
49
  • Lot Size
    16,989 sqft

  • Home Size
    6,708 sqft

  • Beds
    6 Beds

  • Baths
    7 Baths

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Case Studies

Listing Case Studies Continue Reading

Vienna Real Estate

  • $2,199,888 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,295,000 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,088,888 8807 HIGDON DR
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  • $1,495,000 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $3,600,000 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $1,795,000 904 DALE CT SE
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  • $1,200,000 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
  • $3,300,000 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
  • $2,525,000 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
  • $599,000 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
102 JAMES DR SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
$2,199,888
Lot Size
10,019 sqft

Home Size
1,062 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

2511 BABCOCK RD
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
$1,295,000
Lot Size
14,811 sqft

Home Size
3,240 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

8807 HIGDON DR
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
$1,088,888
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
2,410 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
3 Baths

610 MEADOW LN SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
$1,495,000
Lot Size
N/A

Home Size
3,368 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
6 Baths

626 HILLCREST DR SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
$3,600,000
Lot Size
23,523 sqft

Home Size
9,092 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
9 Baths

904 DALE CT SE
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
$1,795,000
Lot Size
10,455 sqft

Home Size
4,937 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
5 Baths

9838 CORAL BELLS CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
$1,200,000
Lot Size
20,038 sqft

Home Size
3,020 sqft

Beds
4 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

10009 MURNANE ST
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
$3,300,000
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
9,750 sqft

Beds
7 Beds

Baths
9 Baths

131 KINGSLEY RD SW
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
$2,525,000
Lot Size
21,780 sqft

Home Size
7,793 sqft

Beds
6 Beds

Baths
7 Baths

3005 SPICE CT
VIENNA, VA
Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
$599,000
Lot Size
1,307 sqft

Home Size
1,940 sqft

Beds
5 Beds

Baths
4 Baths

  • 102 JAMES DR SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 102 JAMES DR SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2150256)
    $2,199,888
    Lot Size
    10,019 sqft

    Home Size
    1,062 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 2511 BABCOCK RD
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 2511 BABCOCK RD, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149442)
    $1,295,000
    Lot Size
    14,811 sqft

    Home Size
    3,240 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 8807 HIGDON DR
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 8807 HIGDON DR, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149464)
    $1,088,888
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    2,410 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    3 Baths

  • 610 MEADOW LN SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 610 MEADOW LN SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149952)
    $1,495,000
    Lot Size
    N/A

    Home Size
    3,368 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    6 Baths

  • 626 HILLCREST DR SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 626 HILLCREST DR SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149036)
    $3,600,000
    Lot Size
    23,523 sqft

    Home Size
    9,092 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 904 DALE CT SE
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 904 DALE CT SE, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149540)
    $1,795,000
    Lot Size
    10,455 sqft

    Home Size
    4,937 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    5 Baths

  • 9838 CORAL BELLS CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 9838 CORAL BELLS CT, VIENNA, VA 22182 (MLS # VAFX2149568)
    $1,200,000
    Lot Size
    20,038 sqft

    Home Size
    3,020 sqft

    Beds
    4 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

  • 10009 MURNANE ST
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 10009 MURNANE ST, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2149646)
    $3,300,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    9,750 sqft

    Beds
    7 Beds

    Baths
    9 Baths

  • 131 KINGSLEY RD SW
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 131 KINGSLEY RD SW, VIENNA, VA 22180 (MLS # VAFX2149584)
    $2,525,000
    Lot Size
    21,780 sqft

    Home Size
    7,793 sqft

    Beds
    6 Beds

    Baths
    7 Baths

  • 3005 SPICE CT
    VIENNA, VA
    Photo of 3005 SPICE CT, VIENNA, VA 22181 (MLS # VAFX2148724)
    $599,000
    Lot Size
    1,307 sqft

    Home Size
    1,940 sqft

    Beds
    5 Beds

    Baths
    4 Baths

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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 have been a full-time Realtor licensed in Virginia since 1991, and cover a big territory specializing in the Vienna real estate market and custom homes for sale.

I have unique knowledge of digital real estate marketing, and my marketing starts here. My clients have been attracted to my results-oriented strategy for years, and I am accepting new clients for Fall 2023 right now.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to contact me at 703-304-6827 or email me at doug@dougfrancis.com anytime!

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

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