b'A Move that wasUnexpectedly EasyWorking with Debbie Rybka HowardBY ELLEN DONKERD I N G H ON MIF EJ essica and Mike LaMarca didnt ex- Jessica and Mike LaMarca with son, Henry. madeWe love the neighborhood. We love the proximity to ev-pect to find a new home so quickly.erything. WithatoddlerintowandanotherWith Debbies help, the couple submitted an offer. It babyontheway,theyknewitwaswas accepted. There was no bidding war because it had time to move from their condo in Jer- never gone to market, Jessica says. So Debbie saved the sey City to bigger digs. Maplewoodday. I mean, she found us a home that wasnt even on the seemed like a good place to start. Theymarket. And it was truly an amazing experience.had visited friends here and were impressed by all the town has to offer.Jessica was impressed by the care Debbie gave to the transaction. She says, My husband and I were really set on Maplewood, Jessica says. It was likeEven when wethe offer, she went the extra step of going to them in that cute little downtown area, the communitythe walkability was somethingperson and [presenting] the offer, rather than just doing it through email and that was very high on our priority list. To give them an idea of the towns vi- calling. So I think just her way of really trying to make connections with people brancy, their friends also sent them a list of local activities, parades and fairs. Wehelped a lot.were like, okay, this is good. Well be able to have a community, Jessica says. The LaMarcas closed on their home April 18 and moved in the next day. It was late February when the LaMarcas started their search. They gave them- Having bought two condos in the past, Jessica says, This is the smoothest pro-selves a year to find a home because they knew the market was tight. This provedcess weve ever been through. Its so much easier. Just working with a very com-true when they attended open houses only to find out later that the homes soldpetent realtor has helped tremendously.far above the asking price. We were like, whoa, this might not be doable. ThisJessica is already spreading the word. I tell all my friends who are thinking is a lot, Jessica says. about moving to Maplewood, you need to work with Debbie, she says. Even Their friends introduced them to Debbie Rybka Howard from Coldwellaside from finding a great deal, shes been awesome. And the people that she Banker Realty, with whom they had purchased a home in Maplewood last year.works with are very reliable. So like every step of the way, she had somebody The very next weekend Debbie met the LaMarcas in person and gave them athat can help us.tour of Maplewood, showing them various neighborhoods and the Village. AsSince the house was renovated they got to know each other, Jessica and Mike shared the types of features in atop to bottom, Jessica doesnt an-house that were important to them. ticipate having to do any work on On their first day looking at houses, Debbie scheduled them to see fourit for a while. Shes thrilled to have homes, one of which was on Mountain Avenue in Maplewood that had beena back yard so their son can enjoy taken off the market. As soon as we pulled up to the house next door, mynature. Getting ready to go out-husband was like, Oh my gosh, thats beautiful. Is that one ever going to be forsidewasabigproductionwhen sale? Jessica says. Given Debbies long career in real estate, she knew the historytheywereinJerseyCity.Atthe of the house. It had been on the market briefly and then taken off the market toend of June, their trio will expand complete the renovation. Never one to leave a stone unturned, Debbie arrangedto include a baby girl. Having set-to have this home shown before the house went back on the market. tled in their new home will make When Debbie showed the LaMarcas the home, it was just as perfect as theyit just that much sweeter. Debbie Rybka Howard helped the LaMarcas had imagined. We loved everything about it, Jessica says. We love the street.buy a home in Maplewood.finding home /31'