What a people reading here?

It is always interesting to read back through the old blog stats… okay, it is a little geeky.

Like you, I have read through many blogs about home buying and selling from real estate agents all over the country. Some I like, but most others need some style help. When I started this blog, I really wanted to put my experiences down because they share common experiences that many people are experiencing  in a real estate transactions from Vienna Virginia to San Diego California. And, in 2011, a good number of clients met me online before we met face to face.

Let’s see what they were reading

That’s a good problem for a real estate agent!

At this pint you are seeing the new version as I am rolling it out a getting to look, and feel just the way I wanted. Part of this week I have been changing some things so it may have not been working properly. SORRY!. It has been running in the “Test Drive” mode and the time has come to merge into traffic.

Please, wish me luck!

You may be surprised to know that this little blog really has helped people just like you answer some real estate questions, and get to know me.

Although the geeky tech stuff sounds cool, I understand that the success has come through writing about the real estate business from my perspective in a way that helps you. If I can get it to load faster then I am going to be really happy because it drives me crazy when I have to wait for any site to load.

If a couple things aren’t working, sorry, I’m working on it!

Image via Wikipedia

Did you enter a specific school into your search criteria and still missed that hot new listing last weekend? Aren’t those “search sites” supposed to make it easy for the consumer you?

So, last weekend I was checking the MRIS database and noticed a Vienna VA real estate listing that didn’t have any schools identified. Since I keep an eye out for my clients, I immediately recognized that it fed into a specific elementary school that some clients really wanted… but there haven’t been any houses available. (really)

Adding school info is optional

To make a long story short, we met up and took a look on Sunday. On Monday we met to put together an offer and beat another offer that also came in on Monday (not on price but an “X-factor“).

Back to the school issue.

Public School information is added by the listing agent in our MLS (MRIS)… only if they choose to. Surprised? Well if you were the seller and knew that the elementary school was highly sought after, then wouldn’t you insist that your real estate agent leverage that fact. Isn’t that why they have SOL tests? Don’t those test scores help increase property values, if you are a buyer?

But my train of thought was interrupted when a Twitter friend responded to my tweet for input yesterday, and tweeted back that she rarely adds school information because, where she works in Fredericksburg VA, they change the boundaries almost every year. Well, there goes my theory about the SOL tests!

Her reasoning is simple: if the school boundaries are changed then the buyers may be upset because their home is no longer in the Harvard ES district. Well then, I guess that I can understand her point because I wouldn’t want that buyer’s lawyer calling me up either.

Another Twitter friend, Jeremy Hart, tweeted back that his MLS in Blacksburg VA requires members to enter the public school information for each house. Well, that make sense to me too.

Home buyers need to do school research themselves

• What County School System is the home in?
• For example, Google “Fairfax County Public School Boundaries”.
• At the school system web site, enter the property address.
• Contact the school if there is a question about changes.

So what are Northern Virginia real estate agents supposed to do? Maybe just list the price, items that convey, add some photos and hope everyone will figure it all out on their own. But what does a real estate agent do about that client who insists on adding “walking distance to Harvard ES” to the listing?

Easy… add a disclaimer: “Information provided is believed to be accurate…”

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This three level condo has just been repainted and re carpeted so it is super clean and ready for you. Plenty of natural light filters into this home. It is a very open floor-plan on the main level with a kitchen that overlooks the living room and dining space. Set up the furniture so you can enjoy the gas fireplace while watching TV or working on your laptop.

There are two bedrooms upstairs each with walk-in closets. Updated light fixtures, ceiling fans, two baths make this seem much more like a townhouse than a typical co

ndo. It is a must see, and you should check out the pictures on the Google Picassa site now and use the slide show option.

See all the photos right now

Impressive gated community with an on-site manager. There is a pool, full exercise room, and a clubhouse which you can use to have gatherings or watch an event on the 50″ flat screen TV. Located in Fair Lakes just minutes from Whole Foods, Best Buy, a dozen fun restaurants and plenty of shopping.

Your REALTOR can show you this property, or call Doug Francis now@ 703-304-6827  to make an appointment. Listed at $259,900

How did you get here? Using this?

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And if there is something that needs adding, then please speak up by adding a comment and I will probably add a little more. A number of my clients met me here, so read through and then meet me.

1.So what is “Northern Virginia”? Northern Virginia includes Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William Counties. The City of Alexandria, City of Falls Church, City of Fairfax, Manassas City, Manassas Park, Town of Clifton, Town of Vienna and Town of Herndon are included.  Some significant areas are Ballston, McLean, Reston, Tysons Corner, Occoquan and yes, The Pentagon.

2.Traffic is a common topic of discussion. “Rush hours” consume about eight hours of every day, which is to be expected in an area with two million people. Some highways have HOV restrictions meaning you need 2+ people in the car. There is a toll road from the Beltway (495) out to Leesburg (Route 267) and a pay-per-mile highway under construction within 495.Read more at Virginia Megaprojects (no joke). But know that there are many options including the George Washington Parkway along the Potomac River.

3.Education is a high priority. The Public School systems in Northern Virginia are recognized nationally for achievement and graduation rate. There are many private schools with excellent reputations too. There are four-year Universities like George Mason and Marymount, the Northern Virginia center for UVA and Virginia Tech in Falls Church, and programs at Northern Virginia Community College. It is also easy to reach other institutions in DC like Georgetown University or in Maryland, the University of Maryland. Overall, the area has a high percentage of residents with college and advanced degrees.

4. We demand a lot from our sport teams. The Washington Redskins play in Maryland, but their football training facility is in Ashburn, VA. The Washington Capitals play in D.C. at the Verizon Center (aka the Phone Booth) but practice at their hockey facility in Ballston. The Washington Wizards are our NBA team, and our MLS soccer team is D.C. United which plays at RFK Stadium in D.C. The newest team is the Washington Nationals MLB baseball team which plays in D.C.

5. Politics. It’s an easy photo-op for the White House, so expected to bump into a motorcade (or Congressman).

6. Northern Virginia’s population is very diverse. Since D.C. is an international destination, many immigrants have selected to move here thanks to a robust job market, excellent universities, the World Bank and easy access to flights “back home”. Virtually every nationality is represented.  Other benefits of this immigration are the multitude of authentic restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, and cultural events.

7.There is plenty of  U. S. history to see. You can start along the Potomac River at Mt. Vernon in Alexandria to the Manassas National Battlefields. Did I mention that Northern Virginia is across the Potomac River from Washington, DC? There is also a Smithsonian Air and Space Museum next to Dulles Airport.

8.We have two major airports. Dulles International Airport offers direct flights around the world by virtually every international airline, and is a major United Airlines domestic hub. Reagan National Airport offers domestic flights and is the most accessible to D.C.

9.Public transportation systems continue to expand. The Metrorail System sends the Orange Line through Arlington out to Vienna, and the Yellow and Blue Lines to Reagan National Airport then to Alexandria and Springfield. Metro Bus, DASH, ART, Fairfax Connector and CUE Bus run through the counties. The “Silver Line” to Reston through Tysons Corner is under construction in 2012 with a late 2013 finish date. Virginia Rail Express (VRE) is an option from Fredericksburg or Manassas. Amtrak makes a stops in Alexandria and the AutoTrain in Lorton. (Union Station in DC is where the Northeast Corridor service begins).

10. We love being outdoors. The climate is excellent for people who like to garden or landscape, and for bike riders, runners and hikers. The W&OD bike trail runs for 45 miles from Arlington to Leesburg along an old rail line turned path which is heavily used by runners, bikers and walkers. Great Falls National Park in Virginia and C&O Canal National Park offer hiking along the Potomac River. There are also sports teams for any sport and age group imaginable. Wolftrap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna is a perfect outdoor venue to see theater, concerts or the symphony.

11. Northern Virginia is famous for shopping. It may not seem exciting to everyone, but we have plenty of grocery stores including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Wegman’s, but there are plenty of weekend farmers’ markets, and roadside markets like Cox Farms. Tyson’s Corner is a regional super-shopping district with everything from L.L. Bean, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus. There is simply too much to mention. There are excellent restaurants and hotels.

12. We experience all four seasons of the year. Winter usually features a cold snap when temperatures can be in the teens. There may be a foot of snow, total, for the season. There are many days when ice covers the roads (a traffic nightmare), and there may be a 20+” snowstorm every few years (2010 was an exception with three). Spring starts in March (cherry blossoms) and runs through June (70°’s and 80°’s). Summer begins July 1 and it can be hot (90°+) and very humid through mid-September. Fall begins in October with brilliant displays from our tall Oak and Maple trees.

13. Northern Virginia isn’t just Federal Government workers. Yes, there are plenty of Feds, but the economy is much more diversified than once was as many corporations have based themselves here thanks to a Virginia’s favorable business climate. hospitals, accounting firms, telecommunications, technology, Internet, hospitality, automotive, association industry, retail, real estate, defense and government contractors and many more.

Did I miss anything?

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It seems like every week there is an announcement that home mortgage rates are at an “all-time low”, but this weekly headline is starting to get a little stale for most home buyers who are locking-in the mortgages as late as possible before going to closing. The “rate float option” gives home buyers the option of risking today’s low rate with the expectation that they will lock-in at a lower rate in the future.

This isn’t about mortgage rates

Well that is almost true, because it is important to point out that we are looking at financing a long-term “investment”. Your mortgage is a debt and the interest that you pay is an annual tax deduction.

If you are looking to buy a home then you really need to examine how long you will live there, or what your life will look like in five or ten years? Yes, this is time for long-term planning, to think big, and to consider a house that you will still fit in ten years from now. With rates this low, you are able to afford a better house than you would have been able to buy two years ago

“… own the best house you can afford” – Life’s Little Instruction Book

You are probably a wiz at this by now, but let’s assume you are getting a mortgage for $417,000 on a cute Vienna VA house and hope to lock in a 30-year rate, do you know how much the interest payment will be every month?

Interest Rate x Loan Amount = Annual interest ÷ 12 = Your Monthly Interest

4% x $417,000 = $16,680 ÷ 12 = $1,390 a month in interest

4.5% x $417,000 = $18,765 ÷ 12 = $1,563 a month in interest

5% x $417,000 = $20,850 ÷ 12 = $1,737 a month in interest

6% x $417,000 = $25,020 ÷ 12 = $2,085 a month in interest

What I am suggesting here is that you buy a home for a life that is bigger than your life is today because long-term money is so cheap. Yes, I am suggesting skipping that starter home. These low rates should really make you consider buying as big a home as you can afford keeping in mind your future needs and quality of life.

You may never move again

• Write down where you see yourself in 2020
• Take a look at local communities, any future plans?
• Bike Trails, Schools, Restaurants, Community Events, Employers
• Are there airports, trains, museums, local history
• If you had to move, how active is the real estate market?

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Image via Wikipedia

I have joked for years with home buyer clients about watching too many episodes of HGTV’s House Hunters, and that our home search isn’t going to include a film crew (read an actual client comment). Most of them recall an episode or two, or how they seem to look at three homes and buy one of them paying market price.

Well I almost fell over laughing last weekend as I sat at my kitchen counter, drinking my coffee, and opened The Washington Post real estate section. An article by Elizabeth Razzi told the behind the scenes story of a recent episode filmed in D.C. last winter. The buyer and her agent discussed what it was like to work with TV producers looking at condos and reshooting scenes to get a better reaction or angle.

This was excellent investigative journalism and was exactly the behind-the-scenes real estate stuff I was after. Why? Well, in almost twenty years working with Northern Virginia real estate buyers, there have only been a couple of clients who looked at three places, picked one and then bought it. Yes, it has happened right in front of me… but not for a few years.

As it turns out, the House Hunters executive producers have learned that some buyers look at 50 homes and then decide to stay in their rental. That is a lot of time, video tape, and money to waste. So they have streamlined the criteria a little (according to The Washington Post) demanding that they have a guaranteed result.

So, this is house hunting fiction?

• To make it on the show, you need to be “under contract” on a home already and then they will remake the house hunting experience.

It seems that these guys have learned an important lesson, and have a luxury that hard working real estate agents don’t have. They limit their risk and won’t work with deadbeats anymore. Deadbeats are the home buyers who look, demand to see places after work on Friday nights, find flaws in every house, and then decide to rent a place.

The reality is that many real estate agents hang in there, ditch their friend’s birthday party to show that condo on Friday night or miss their daughter’s softball game on Sunday afternoon. The reality of the real estate business is that most Realtors make incomes below the poverty line and have the highest divorce rate of any profession.

Finding a home to buy is harder than you think and most real estate agents work harder than you know to get a transaction completed. Watching episodes of House Hunters may give the impression that real estate agents are all over-paid order takers, but I think the Washington Post article points out that what you are watching on TV is nothing more than fiction.

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You can still donate until November 30th to help reach the Alzheimer’s Association goal. They are now 50% there!

Original post

On Saturday October 2nd, 2010 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., I will be participating in the 2010 National Memory Walk to support the Alzheimer’s Association, and I need your support. Whi

le many teams have had months to prepare or a corporate PR department employee working on it, this came across my radar screen just a few days ago so I am doing a 10-Day-Sprint and really need your support!

Why Doug Francis is participating in The 2010 National Memory Walk

It was in February, 2001 when I had my first experience with early Alzheimer’s surfacing in my father.

I had picked him up at BWI airport after a quick trip from Providence. It was my son’s birthday and he had made a special trip down to DC for the birthday party.

He was very stressed about getting his bags at the airport(which seemed normal), and then we drove to my house in Vienna, VA and had a nice afternoon, dinner and cake.

Visiting our new house

As my wife was putting my son to bed, Dad and I watched some TV and he fell asleep on the couch. After a half hour, I woke him up and suggested we “hit the hay”.

For the first time, he looked at me and asked where he was?

When I told him he asked, “how did I get here?”

The whole day had been wiped-clean from his mind, and he was scared because he knew that his mind had “pulled a trick on him.”

Having read about “sundowners”, I understood that I needed to be patient and assuring.

I remember that day like it was yesterday, and that is why I am asking for your help and support. Most teams have had months to raise money for the Washington D.C Memory Walk on October 2nd, but I am doing the 10-DAY-SPRINT!

Support Walking4Dads by joining our team as a walker, or by making a donation right now.

If you would like to join me as a Walking4Dads Team Member, then let me know at doug@DougFrancis.com and I will be excited to walk with you!

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The consequences may cost you your Earnest Money Deposit and more.

Really, the main purpose of writing my blog is to inform my real estate clients in Northern Virginia about issues that will impact them selling a home, buying a home, getting a mortgage, having a home inspection or removing an oil tank. Yes, getting mentioned on a big-time web site like MSN.com is a thrill, but also indicates to me that I am on the right track giving advice that is informative. What do you think?

If you are planning to buy or sell a home in Northern Virginia, please read through the buyer or seller tip sections and then give me a ring so we can discuss your plans.

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• Saw this on MSN Money today (mytotalmoneymakeover.com)

You have probably seen how a reservoir gets filled when the dam is closed, well, this is the same type of event except that the water backs up and into your house.

Vienna Real Estate Guy to the Rescue

Over the past two days I have had two friends in Vienna, Virginia call me about leaks inside their homes. One was at a bay window below a soffit vent, and the other was from the roof on a three story colonial. That leak flowed all the way downstairs in the family room. And in both cases, little can be done right now because the ice in the down spouts needs to melt and allow the water to drain properly.

Ice dams are uncommon in Northern Virginia and this year (2010) is unique because we are setting a historic record for annual snowfall. At my home in Vienna, VA, we measured 24″ of fresh snow on Saturday afternoon and another 8″ of snow on Wednesday afternoon. Combine that with below freezing temperatures since last weekend(at 3:38 P.M., it is only 20°)  and there really hasn’t been any natural melting.

Homeowner’s insurance was intended to cover ice dams

One of the tell-tail signs of a potential problem is when icicles form from your gutters. The ice is now firmly in place and any melting snow is now flowing right over the gutter. The melting is fine as it flows over the gutter, but when the flow backs up is when it can come through the house.

At this point,  I personally have to trust the fact that my builder and roofer did everything possible six years ago to protect my home from an ice dam.

Yes, there is a “Part 2” to this damn ice ice dam story!

When your roof gets repaired one day in the future, make sure there is a drip edge and sufficient roof flashing is installed to prevent water penetration. If you have really had it with asphalt roofs, then maybe you should consider a metal roof where snow slides off much more easily. A friend in Vienna had a metal roof installed recently so I will get that name for this post.

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