DOUG FRANCIS

When I became a licensed agent in 1991, the Northern Virginia real estate market was in a similar economy as we see today. It was a challenge and I see buyers and sellers having similarities to that time.

Home sellers need to know that marketing their home has evolved because today's consumers primarily use the Internet to search for homes. Good photos are essential and that's why I use a wide angle lens, having solid a web presence to place your home high in Google searches, understanding IDX technology to best highlight your home, producing YouTube videos, and using other cutting edge strategies to draw interest toward a home.

Home buyers need to know that searching web sites for homes is easy... yet it is up to agents to input data and ofteen garbage in will result in garbage out. You may skip a deal because the agent put in poor pics. My market knowledge is key as are my negotiating strategies learned over 18 years that will give you an edge. I use electronic signatures whenever possible so negotiations can go smoothly... no more searching for a fax machine in 2009.

I enjoy real estate and am lucky to work with so many referred clients every year. Referrals typically begin with a story of how I made the deal happen, found a overlooked gem of a house, or used my "dry"sense of humor to make the experience a lot more fun.

Take a look at my blog and web site, and I feel you will get to know me and how I spend my time understanding real estate and real estate issues. I look forward to hearing from you.