b'Becoming Homeowners Sooner than LaterWorking with Ann LaskowskiBY ELLEN DONKER D I N G H ON MIF EB ryan Louis and Brittannia Gor- Brittannia Gordon and Bryan Louis are first-timejust days after giving birth to their third baby. don didnt expect their family toGordon remembers being in the hospital when expand from two to five in lessshe saw the listing. She says, We were up late at thantwoyears.Collegesweet- like 3 a.m. breastfeeding, in the thick of it with hearts who met their freshmananewborninfant,andtheZillownotification yearatSetonHall,thecouplepopped up on my phone. I was like, Hey, Bryan, have been together for 11 years.I think this looks pretty good. Price looks good. In March 2024, they had twins, followed by an- Town looks good. House looks good.He agreed. other baby this September. At 8 the next morning, they texted Laskowski. Owning a house was always on their radar, buthomeowners. Thesellerhadscheduledonlyoneopen now the need was more urgent. Louis is a policehouse during a two-hour window that day. Las-detective and Gordon works in public relations.lender to get pre-approved for a loan, but the couplekowski asked for a private showing the next day However,mostoftheirpaychecksweregoingadmits they dragged their feet. Gordon says, Wewhen Gordon was out of the hospital. The seller toward rent. They were unable to afford a downcould have saved ourselves and Ann a lot of timewouldnt budge. The couple would have to make payment on a house. When their lease was set toif we had done what she said. She adds, It wasntan offer on the house, sight unseen, or walk away. expire in September 2024, the couple made theuntil we went through the pre-approval process thatConcerned that they wouldnt be able to find an-hard decision to move into the home of Louiswe 100% knew what we could actually afford. other house that fit their needs, they submitted an parents in West Orange.Ideally, Louis and Gordon wanted a house withoffer the following Wednesday. On Thursday Las-I knew deep down it was the smartest moveat least three bedrooms, two bathrooms, an eat-inkowski told them they won the house. When they financially, Gordon says, especially with thekitchen and a finished basement in Essex Coun- were finally able to see it, they were pleased that it New Jersey real estate market being what it is. Wety. Since Louis parents were still providing somematched their expectations and had good bones.had to get much more aggressive with our savingschildcare, it was important for them to be close toThe couple closed on the house in early No-and essentially just stop the bleeding of rent.West Orange.vember. They plan to move in this January after NowthatthecouplecouldstartsavinginLouis appreciated how Laskowski helped themLouis has used his handyman skills to make the earnest,theyreachedouttoAnnLaskowskiofseewhatworkedfortheirbudget.Insteadofhousecleanandsafeenoughfortheirchildren. Compass. She had met Louis years ago when hersending us houses that we would never be able toTheyrethrilledtobe childrenplayedinSt.JosephsCYObasketballafford, he says, she was able to guide us [byyounghomeowners program and he was its site manager. Laskowskisaying], Hey, listen, I love that for you, but thatsandgratefultoLas-kept in touch with him,not really attainable in this market.kowskiforherguid-evenusinghisformerGordon agrees. Ann is kind of like a secondance.Annisjustso junkhaulingbusinessmom to us. Weve known her for so long and sheson point with just be-for clients. seen us through all of these different life stages:ing able to know what Asfirst-timehome- collegesweethearts,engaged,youngparents.Soyouwantandbe-buyers,Laskowskiex- she always gave us her real estate advice, and theningunderstandingof plained the process andshe would give us her own personal advice.that, Louis says, but showed them houses inAfter losing offers on at least five homes, thealsopushingyouto theirpricerange.Shecouple says they learned what made for a success- what you need, which also recommended thatGordon and Louis withful bid. They used that insight when they put anmakes her one of the their twins and newbornGordon and Louis with theyseeamortgageson this past October. offer on a house in the Vauxhall section of Unionbest Realtors ever.Realtor Ann Laskowski.40/ matters magazine / holiday 2025'