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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.

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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

I’m so excited that you found me! Yes, this site covers real estate, but also a lot about lifestyle and  living in Vienna, Virginia outside Washington, D.C.

There is a lot of info here, and you can also contact me with any specific real estate questions. And, at home consultations are available too.

My background… I’ve been an active licensed agent in Virginia for 25 years, 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: Email doug@dougfrancis.com or call me at (703) 304-6827 to discuss your plans. Cheers!

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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 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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