Buyer Handbook

BuyerHandbook Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

In the Acadiana real estate market, you need someone on your side.

It is our pledge to provide you with sound real estate advice, helping you understand the strategies of decision-making and the future implications of the decisions you make. Our team works tirelessly to streamline the many tasks involved in a real estate transaction.

Robbie Breaux & Team agents know the Acadiana neighborhoods and properties like nobody else.

Whether you’re buying or selling, our agents will listen to your needs and provide professional guidance where needed to ensure the best possible result and exceed your expectations.

You deserve a team of trusted advisers, experienced negotiators, and people who can facilitate your transaction with expertise. You deserve Robbie Breaux & Team.

Robbie Breaux & Team, the only real estate team for all of your real estate needs!

Call: 337.267.4099 Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

RobbieBreauxTeam.com

In 2016

Robbie Breaux & Team

Sold 187 properties...

That’s One House Every 1.95 Days!

The Average Agent Sells 7.38 Properties a Year (Realtor Association of Acadiana)

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

The Power of a Team

Not just your average Realtor. Being a team assures there is always someone available when you need them as well as offering combined experience to work through each deal to the best possible end result.

A Team puts YOU in the Center of the Transaction!

Robbie Breau

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Transaction Coordinator

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Team Leader Team Manager / Staging

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Robin McDanie

Marie Drou

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Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

Kyli Lassalle

What to Expect Meet at our Office

The first step is scheduling an appointment with your Buyer Specialist. We like to meet with our first time clients at our offices. This gives us a nice and quiet enviorment to sit down with you and explain the process. We will explain how we work, what we offer, and what your steps are along the way. Should you feel we are a good fit for you, we will move on to the next step.

We will talk about where you are at in the process and what you are looking for in a home. We will ask lots of questions to make sure we understand your preferences and what is important to you, from architecture to lifestyle. We’ll discuss what your price range looks like in different areas of the city, and we can recommend neighborhoods that could fit your criteria.

Discuss Finance

We will talk about the role this will play in the strength of your offer. If you are not preapproved, we can recommend some great local mortgage brokers, who can answer your loan and financing questions. We will talk about how much you have for a down payment, and discuss creative solutions to make your offer stronger.

We will talk about what the market is like and what you can expect during your search for a home. It is important to work with someone who is straight forward about the challenges and opportunities of the market, and who can set you up to make successful decisions. We will look at real statistics and numbers for what has sold in different neighborhoods, giving you a concrete sense of what is going on in the areas you are interested in.

Go

Shopping

Discuss Wants

Discuss Market

Once we discuss wants, finances, and market conditions, we are ready to get the process rolling. Once you are pre-approved, we will get a list of properties together and start scheduling showings! Let’s go SHOPPING!

Why Top Sales Associates:

Van Eaton & Romero has been ranked as the top brokerage for over 30 years! The average agent at Van Eaton & Romero sold 10.35 properties in 2016, that’s 2.97 more homes per agent than the local average.

National Exposure: Van Eaton & Romero is a Member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World with a referral network throughout the United States. This means that experienced agents are waiting to help you where you are going and are referring us their transferees!

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

We are Lafayette Strong!

We know these neighborhoods, from small boutiques to neighborhood restaurants, Ragin Cajun athletics to Festival de International, we know what makes living in this city so special.

We work here because we love it!

Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

It’s not just about buying a

house, it’s about building a life!

Search MLS for FREE with our website:

SearchHomesinLafayette.com

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Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

The Ten Commandments of Home Buying 1. Thou shall NOT change jobs, become self-employed or quit your job!

2. Thou shall NOT buy a car, truck or van (or you may be living in it).

3. Thou shall NOT use credit cards excessively or let your accounts fall behind.

4. Thou shall NOT spend money you have set aside for closing.

5. Thou shall NOT omit debts or liabilities from your loan application.

6. Thou shall NOT buy furniture.

7. Thou shall NOT originate any inquiries into your credit.

8. Thou shall NOT make large deposits without first checking with your loan officer.

9. Thou shall NOT change bank accounts.

10. Thou shall NOT co-sign a loan for ANYONE!

Pre-Qualification & Pre-Approval Why do many home buyers apply for a loan & obtain approval before they begin looking for a house?

• You will know in advance what your monthly payments will be.

• You won’t waste time considering homes you can’t afford.

• You can select the best loan package without being under pressure • Sellers will view your offer more favorably if they know in advance of your ability to secure financing.

• Peace of mind!

How much can you afford? There are 3 factors to consider: 1. Amount of down payment you can make.

2. Your ability to qualify for a mortgage.

3. The closing costs associated with your transaction.

Down Payment Requirements: Mortgage loans fall into 2 basic categories—conventional loans and government backed loans, i.e. FHA (Federal Housing Administration). A FHA loan has the advantage of a small down payment requirement than a conventional loan, which has tighter qualification standards & necessitates a large down payment.

Speaking with a knowledgeable mortgage lender is the best way to understand the options and determine which is the best choice for you.

Qualifying the Mortgage: Most lenders required that your monthly payment not exceed between 25-28% of your gross monthly income. Your mortgage payment to the lender will include the following items: the principal (P) on the loan, the interest (I) on the loan, the property taxes (T), and the homeowner’s insurance (I). This is commonly referred to as the PITI. Your monthly PITI and all debts (installment loans & revolving charge accounts) should range between 3-38& of your gross monthly income.

Closing Costs: Typically, total closing costs will range between 2-5% of your mortgage loan amount. In today’s market, it is not uncommon for the seller to be asked to pay some or all of the buyer’s closing costs. There is no obligation for the seller to do so, merely a factor of the current market conditions.

Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

No matter how you find a home..

Call Me First!

Whether you are driving through a neighborhood and noticing a Realtor’s “For Sale” sign, or a “For Sale By Owner” sign, make a note of the address and phone number. If you are searching online on sites like Realtor.com, Trulia, Zillow, etc, note the address and if given the “MLS” number. Call me!

In order for us to work together, I need to have the opportunity to show you first-hand the home you ultimately decide is the house for you. Please understand that this is important for many reasons.

Myth vs. Reality: What You May Have Heard Myth #1 Robbie Breaux & Team sells a lot of real estate — over 150 properties a year compared to the average agent who only sells around 11. Are we too busy to show you houses?

Reality Just as superior restaurants are busy at dinner time and superior doctors have long patient lists, Robbie Breaux & Team has lots of clients we deal with at any given time. That’s why a team is so important! We want to make sure that you have the time you need to look for houses and not feel rushed during the process. Our closing coordinator is always there for you if your agent is not available.

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Robbie Breaux & Team Gives Back!

Each year we donate the commission dollars from our 100th home sale to five local non-profit charities.

The community nominates and votes for their charity of choice daily until we hit our 100th sale of the year. Each charity receives a portion of the closing, first place receives the bulk of the donation.

In 2016 the Non-Profit Organizations Ranked as Follows: #1 Cajun Paws Rescue with 66% of the votes will receive $6,000 #2 Healing House with 12% of the votes will receive $1,500 #3 A Pregnancy Center & Clinic with 12% of the votes will receive $1,200 #4 Boys & Girls Club of Acadiana with 7% of the votes will receive $800 #5 Miles Perret Cancer Foundation with 3% of the votes will receive $500

Thank you to everyone who participated by voting in this campaign! And thank you to all of the local non-profit agencies that spend countless hours caring for and servicing those in need in all of Acadiana.

Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Call: 337.267.4099 RobbieBreauxTeam.com

Social Media

In today’s society, social media rules the internet. We have profiles on many social media pages including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Linked In, Youtube, Google Plus, and a bi-monthly video blog.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

YouTube

Blog

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Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Van Eaton & Romero, LLC

Call (337) 267-4099 Robbie@RobbieBreaux.com

www.RobbieBreaux.com

Van Eaton & Romero a Latter & Blum Company • 2000 Kaliste Saloom Rd. Ste 101 • Lafayette, LA 70508 • (337) 233-9700 • Independently Owned & Operated • Licensed in Louisiana • Printed 1/01/2017