A Quote in MSN Money

I was surprised the other day to get a Google Alert that there was a quote attributed to me on the MSN Money site in an article by Marilyn Lewis. Back in May, I wrote a post warning home buyers to refrain from adding new credit lines before they actually “closed” on their new home. [...]

In Real Estate, Online Photos are Essential

Doug Francis Northern Virginia Home for sale

You would think that Northern Virginia Real Estate agents would get it by now, but I am still seeing some really bad house photos being posted online. It is a trend that a lot of agents across the country poke fun at, and even have blogs of the worst photos seen in their MLS. Anyone [...]

Home Buyer Agents Get it Done!

Colonial Style Home, Fairfax VA

Real estate buyers have the option of having an agent work with them during the home buying experience. A “Buyer’s Agent” has an obligation to pursue the interests of the buyer finding suitable homes that fit their financial capability (budget), find homes with a good location, keep information confidential, and most importantly present any written [...]

Vienna VA a winter wonderland of snow at home

Some of you moving to Northern Virginia may be seeing the area in nice warm weather, but it can really snow here and I thought I would give you a taste of the big blizzard of 2010 when we had two monster snow storms within a week dumping three feet of snow at my home [...]

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 [...]