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Home Buyers on Google overload?

If you are looking to buy or sell a home, I’m sure you have used  Google to do most of your research. In a recent conversation with a REALTOR colleague in Falls Church, Virginia, she shared how home buyers walking into her Sunday open-house already knowing the tax assessment, local school scores, neighborhood comparables and much more. They were well versed in the subject matter (buying a home in that neighborhood) and had brought their A-game. Agents love buyers who are willing to make decisions quickly because our real estate market remains one of the most active in the country.

Home sellers have always reviewed recent comps…

now home buyers are getting well prepped

This change is good and going to get better. But there is something all the Google-ing can’t answer, and that is where a talented agent is going to shine. Knowing the Walkability Score, the school test scores, the Zestimate or the impact the power lines may have will not help understand the true motivations of the decision makers.

Here are some of my musings as I drive through the Wendover Community in Vienna, VA along Lawyers Road between Vienna and Reston.

Please contact me if you are interested in confidentially discussing your home buying options. Many of my clients are senior level technology people, established professionals, and transferees from around the country.

My e-mail address is doug@dougfrancis.com

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It’s time to re-connect… my resolution for 2010

Happy New Year!

Like most of you, I recently sat down to review the last year and look ahead to 2010. And like any business person, I took a long hard look at my real estate business, the Northern Virginia real estate market as a whole, my relationships with clients, and where I saw the business in the new year. One of my primary thoughts was that I needed to re-connect with a lot of people who I haven’t spoken with in much too long a time.

Maybe you are one of them? We can meet at Starbucks, call me!

Here are a few of my thoughts on the subject of 2010…

Like 2009, we are going to face a challenging real estate market for Home Sellers and Home Buyers in Northern Virginia

• Buyers will see low interest rates
• Buyers will feel pressure from the home buyer tax-credit deadline of April 30th
• Buyers will see a small inventory of homes for sale
• Buyers will compete with other, very qualified home buyers when submitting real estate contracts
• Buyers will need an agent who prepares them to be a strong and competitive, will show them all homes for sale, and actively pursue a negotiation

• Sellers will see prices remain flat
• Sellers need to know only good properties priced well, and staged well will get an offer
• Sellers will see picky home buyers who may back out of contracts for no apparent reason
• Sellers, those who want to buy another home (move-up or down), will need to understand the April 30th tax deadline
• Sellers will need an agent who understands how today’s buyers look at homes and decide to buy

For more information about the April 30th home buyer tax credit deadline you should read my post on the subject. Timing and strategy in early 2010 are going to be the key to success.

I look forward to re-connecting with you… hey, the first cup is on me!

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It Does Snow in Northern Virginia!

Yes, we get all the seasons here in Northern Virginia, and I just decided this is a good category for the VLOG!

The seasonal breakdown to prepare you for living in Northern Virginia

• In the Winter we get icy weather including snow, temperatures in the teens, sleet and “wintery weather”.

• In the Spring it is 70’s and 80’s with a long blooming period, some thunderstorms and few bugs.

• Summer can be hot with temperatures reaching 100… plus high humidity and mosquitoes.

• Fall comes in October with spectacular foliage and moderate temperatures.

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Northern Virginia Real Estate | Is it a condo or not?

The agent who wrote up an offer on a listing of mine contacted me because his client had gone to the tax records and now thought the property was a condo. There was some confusion on his end and he wanted me to clear it up.

This raised a flag since the buyer’s agent must not have gone through this fact with him, but also raised another flag because I never overlook something as critical as the proper type of ownership.

For example, imagine if you made all the payments on your car, only to find out it was a leased vehicle at the end of 60 months? Heck, I bet you would be double mad as heck!

Knowing the type of ownership is essential in real estate

Before you make any offer, your real estate agent should look through the tax database to see if the home is condo ownership, fee simple ownership, or a co-op. This point is huge because it could impact your monthly budget significantly since condo fees are typically high. This is a legal definition folks… and not just jargon.

I have done this business for a long time and always double check this information. In my ABR, and Continuing Education training we are always told to understand the available facts about a home when discussing any home with real estate clients who may be considering buying a home. More about me at About Me.

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