Step One for Real Estate Buyers

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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… Continue Reading →

Deadlines and Counter Offers

Doug Francis REMAX Realtor

Having a home seller miss the deadline to respond to your offer is extremely frustrating. In fact, most real estate agents discourage their buyer clients for putting in a deadline for a simple reason. But you want to know, “why didn’t the seller respond to my offer?” It is best to start from the beginning… Continue Reading →

The Taste of Vienna

Taste of Vienna

The second annual Taste of Vienna went off successfully at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Station on Saturday April 27, 2013. This is such a fun event where local eateries showcase their culinary skills and offer “bites” – for a buck, two or four. Proceeds go to the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department, and they lucked out… Continue Reading →

Crocus Terrace Ashburn VA

Ashburn Farm Virginia

UPDATE: This home is now under-contract. Welcome to this updated Nantucket style garage town home in the heart of Ashburn VA. We hoped that this video brochure will give you a good idea of what the homeowners have done over the past few years to make their home more livable, inviting and to bring the… Continue Reading →

Flash-Sales Hit Vienna Real Estate

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With all the media regurgitating the stale news that “real estate inventory is low”, it’s time everyone understands what it is like being a home buyer these days. It can suck! For example, yesterday a new listing popped up in Vienna Woods that seemed too good to be true. So, after they finished work, I… Continue Reading →

Realtor Jargon

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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… Continue Reading →

Want to Know what Home Sellers Want from you?

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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… Continue Reading →

720 McKinley Street in Vienna

Vienna real estate doug francis

UPDATE: If you are a home owner who is getting ready to sell your home, know that this video was seen over 525 times according to Google Analytics when it ran. Call me for more details. ~ Welcome to this remodeled California style rancher in the heart of Vienna Virginia. New on the market, we… Continue Reading →

The Mortgage Labyrinth

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Anyone trying to get a mortgage these days is jumping through hoops like never before. Even those folks with good jobs, have had a mortgage, who are essentially “platinum level” are getting migraines navigating the new underwriting gauntlet. Yes, welcome to The Mortgage Labyrinth. After passage of the Dodd-Frank Act, there were many new regulations… Continue Reading →

Deciding to buy a lot

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Anyone deciding to buy a lot to build a new home on really needs to consider some important factors which may seem daughting to a novice. If at the end of this article you decide this is the case, you may want to consider looking at some of the builder “spec” inventory that I see… Continue Reading →