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.

As I begin my 20th year in the business, I see how things have changed dramatically and yet the principles have remained the same.

Home sellers need to know that marketing their home has evolved because 95% of today's consumers primarily use the Internet to search for homes. So having a strategy to maximize that is a core focus since good photos are more essential than ever (that's why I use a wide angle lens), having a solid web presence can place my client's home high in Google searches, understanding IDX technology and Internet syndication, producing YouTube videos, and using other cutting edge strategies to draw interest toward a home.

Home buyers need to know that I know searching web sites for homes is easy... and the is it's up to agents to input the data and often garbage in will result in garbage out. You may skip a bargain because the agent put in poor pics. My market knowledge is key when assisting clients with my negotiating strategies learned over my 20 years, that alone will gives clients an edge.

I use electronic signatures whenever possible so negotiations can go smoothly... no more searching for a fax machine in 2011.

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 sense of humor to make the experience a lot more fun.

Take a look at my LinkedIn recommendations, blog and web site, and you will get to know me and how I spend my time understanding real estate and real estate issues. Better yet, just Google me. Feel free to contact me anytime.