Check Out Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market!

Whenever a new place opens in our area, most of us check it out and decide if there’s something there worth coming back for again and again.

Well, I honestly think that anyone who checks out the new Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market, which opened the day before we went to press with this issue in the brand new plaza on Post Oak Blvd. (off Wesley Chapel Blvd./S.R. 54 and Old Pasco Rd.) should be able to find a dozen or more items that will fast become some of their all-time favorites.

Owners Bill Moschella and Anthony Spadafora and their families (above photo) invite you to check out what can best be described as gourmet shop on steroids, with so many different departments that it’s hard to leave the place without buying at least something — and for folks like me, many things.

But First, The Story…

Bill and Anthony are long-time friends from the Italian north end of Boston. Anthony and his wife Gina still live in Boston, but Bill and his wife Devanie and their family moved to just outside of Wesley Chapel. Bill was in the concession business for around 35 years.

Anthonys family owned catering restaurants and Bill’s family owned a pizza and pastry shop in Boston. Since moving here, Bill and Devanie kept wondering why they had to drive to St. Pete in order to visit a real Italian market. They drew up the plans for Moschella’s on their kitchen counter.

“Even though Devanie and I are running the place,” Bill says, “Anthony and his family have contributed just as much to getting it open and for helping make sure it has everything we need.” 

And Now, The Food!

Super-thick tomahawk veal chop grilled to perfection.

Although I found the Italian and other imported and gourmet domestic cheeses (there’s also a separate grab & go cheese display), the fully stocked butcher shop (check out the photo above of my super-thick tomahawk veal chop I grilled to perfection; it was the best veal chop I’ve had since I moved to Florida in 1993), the incredible deli sandwich selection (with both a complete Boar’s Head case and a second case with just imported Italian meats and cheeses for slicing) and huge variety of fresh pastas you can make at home, it is Moschella’s displays of fresh, prepared hot and cold foods that really caught my eye.

Bill credits Chef Megan, who has worked in both catering and local restaurants, with refining every menu item idea the families had for these displays.

The hot foods display includes chicken, veal and even shrimp parmesan, plus beef, veggie and sausage lasagne, as well as prepared (but not sauced) chicken, veal and eggplant cutlets, as well as delicious braised lamb shanks and so much more than I have room to describe here.

There also are plenty of unique cold prepared salads, from house-made bruschetta, amazing broccoli rabe with sundried tomatoes, three bean salad, marinated roasted peppers, artichoke stems and tuna salad with shells, to name a few.

And, although Moschella’s hasn’t yet started selling its gourmet pizzas or arancini (rice balls), Devanie says to give it another week or two and they’ll be available. 

There also are huge display cases of “Grab & Go” prepared food items, including both refrigerated and frozen sections.

In other words, if you need a whole tray of lasagne to bring to Christmas dinner, you can buy it today (while supplies last) and bake it to perfection yourself. I didn’t show pics of the Grab & Go displays here because I didn’t have room and they’re as photogenic as the other photos.

Dessert, Too?    

Do you really need to ask? Moschella’s has an amazing display case of everything from rainbow, chocolate sandwich (see photo on next page) and lace cookies to sfogliatella (think of a super-crisp croissant loaded with a thick, cannoli-like cream) and yes, cannolis hand-piped, also with that homemade cannoli cream. And, best of all, all of these luscious, decadent desserts are made in-house.

And of course, Moschella’s has all of the pre-packaged imported items Italian families and great cooks crave — from cookies and cakes to virtually every brand of imported tomato sauces (top right photo on next page), pastas, olive oils and balsamic vinegars (including oils and vinegars bearing a Moschella’s label) and so much more.

Like my new friend Liz from Staten Island said as she walked through Moschella’s — “I feel like I’m home!”

And Yes, Fine Wines, Too!

Mario, the guy usually behind the cheese counter, is from Sardinia, where learned all he could about Italian wine, cheese and cuisine, and speaks fluent Italian. He also helped pick Moschella’s amazing assortment of truly fine wines, the largest percentage of which are from Italy.  If you love Italian reds like I do, you have to check out Moschella’s selection of Brunellos (photo, right), Barolos, Amarones, Barberas, Chiantis and Sangioveses — it’s the best variety I’ve seen since I left New York City almost 30 years ago. 

Yes, these are a little pricy, but oh so worth it. There also are other more popularly priced Italian and domestic red, white and sparkling wines, and many more. 

So, do yourself a favor and get to Moschella’s and start shopping now. This issue will hit mailboxes on Dec 21 or Dec 22, but Devanie says they are taking orders until they close at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve, when they open early (at 7 a.m.).

Moschella’s Italian Eatery & Market is open every day, 9 a.m.-6. p.m. (other than their holiday hours) at 5648 Post Oak Blvd. For more information, call (813) 973-7500 or visit Moschellas.com.

Mangia!

The Trials & Tribulations Of Being A 2020 U.S. Census Worker

By MIEKE CARIS

2020 U.S. Census Enumerator

You probably have noticed census takers in your community this year, since they helped conduct the 2020 U.S. Census. I was one of them. “Enumerator” was the official title given to us by the U.S. Census Bureau.

I check my government phone. Yep, this is the address. I knock, since I see no doorbell. It’s a nice glass door, with a solid layer of varnish on the wooden frame. I hear some sort of clamor coming from inside the house but can’t differentiate whether it’s voices or some music. Wait, do I hear voices and music? I call out my name to introduce myself and to let the voices know I am no solicitor or intruder.

“Hello, I am here for a Census interview”!

The lawn is well maintained. A few flower pots decorate the entrance. No one comes to the door. Through the glass door, I see people. What should I do? I decide to be brave, so I knock again and call out the purpose of my visit. Finally, I hear a voice that seems directed at me:

“Go away or I call the police.”

This response made it seem pretty evident that the owner is in no mood to talk to me, so I do as instructed through my training and leave a notice of visit with a personalized code to give the demographics by mail or phone. I fold the paper and squeeze it through the rigid door frame and go on to the next address.

I feel bad that I failed in adding that address to the 2020 Census. In our training, however, we are told “safety first.”

That incident made me recall a visit from a few days ago, and reminded me that I was secretly happy the person was not home. The notes on my phone, from an enumerator who had visited this address before me, said, “The person who lives here calls himself Adolf Hitler…and he wants to be left alone.”

Standing outside in Florida’s heat and humidity for a few minutes, my hands and face get wet from perspiration. Operating the phone with a thin layer of moisture on my fingers costs time, which this interviewee has generously granted. “It is important to get all of the demographics,” I tell myself, as more moisture drips from my face. I feel embarrassed. On a few such occasions, I am offered water or a cooler spot. I even added a towel to my bag next to my supply of hand sanitizer and masks.

The smells in this apartment complex transport me into another culture. Searching for the correct number, I see many doors with colorful decorations and scribbles on the floor. I carefully step around them as I knock on the door. With my mask on, I explain my visit. I am pleased many families have heard of the Census and are willing to give me the information.

At one house, a young man actually asked me what the Census is — what was I talking about? The mother appears in the background and tells him, “The lady just needs to know how many people live here, the age and race….no worries, she can get the demographics.”

At the mobile home park, a few children were interested in what I was doing. I like to explain to youngsters that the Census is a recurrent activity. I hook it to the times of “Hamilton.” Nowadays, everybody has heard of this historical figure, thanks to Lin Miranda and his hit Broadway show.

Since 1780, the USA has counted its people every ten years. This year is unique, with the Covid-19 pandemic and the presidential election. On one out of four visits, I hear, “I am not interested in government, take me off your list.” My response is that “You exist, so please be counted. You have a young child. You want to have resources from the government.” 

One person responded, “I do not care. We are renting and will move again.” 

At other doors, I ring or knock but people do not even come to the door, maybe because they’re afraid of the Coronavirus. 

A few times, I have to conduct the interview without actually seeing the people because I have to talk to them through the door. I hear their voices and create a picture of them in my head. 

I appreciate it when a household lets me wait, while they go to get their masks, although most don’t bother. Others get annoyed with me. “I am sending the dog out if you do not leave,” one person said. 

Others say, “Ma’am, you are on private property, you need to leave.” 

Doing the census allows me to interact with a large variety of people, some who are very willing and pleasant, while others are suspicious, angry, and unpleasant: 

“I am no snitch,” I have been told. “If you can’t get an interview that is your problem.”

At another apartment complex, I knock and hear a voice behind the door, “No, we are  not interested.” I see a young African-American man sitting on the steps of a house, opposite, so I ask him, “Sir, do you know how many people live in that house?”

“Hey, you heard the lady. She doesn’t want to talk. I am not going to talk. You don’t live here. I recommend you leave, NOW!”

I always explain that am not soliciting and that Article 1, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution mandates that the country conduct a count of its population every 10 years. Our counting for the 2020 Census started April 1, 2020, but drags on. We count who lives where and with how many people. I feel my work is worthwhile.

It seems that many apartment complexes have a high turnover rate. But I also have found that house owners have given way to real estate investors. Houses are rented out to people with no interest in joining the community. Many people don’t even know their next-door neighbors. Only at a few student housings complexes do I feel an ease of talking between neighbors, or with them talking with me. Nowadays, so many of us are more eager to be involved with online communities. 

On a few occasions, people are grateful that we do this work and impressed that we dare to talk with strangers. “We are all people,” I say. I recently heard on the radio that Florida is the 8th lowest state for responding to the Census. We hope to get the remaining 20% of the people who have not responded by March or April, adding their information to the count. 

I drive along the street, zig-zagging around potholes screaming for repairs. I climb up the stairs. The steps could use some paint. I knock on the door, go over the address again and prepare myself for a visit/interview. 

In this case, a woman calls out that she is coming. A little girl sneaks out and stands smiling before me. I introduce myself and show my badge. The girl takes the badge and tells me the picture of me is pretty. I try to engage her in my story that everyone is going to be counted in this big country. I ask how far she can count. She makes it up to 10. 

The lady of the house tells me she has already responded to it. I ask her if she is willing to go over the missing information with me again. Often people tell me they have already responded to the Census, as way to wave me away. I tell her the Census will have no duplicate information, so I end up getting the interview.

On Oct. 14, the U.S. Supreme Court granted President Donald Trump’s request to stop counting. On Oct. 15 at 11 p.m., the Census count is stopped. At that time, New Tampa was 99.8% finished. The results will be collected and presented to the president on Dec. 31. 

Being a Census enumerator has been quite a ‘ride.’ I honestly was tempted to quit after the first two days, but I stuck it out. The 2020 Census will determine representation in the U.S. Congress, will help determine the allocation of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding and provide data that will affect communities for the next decade.

For example, from 2000 to 2010, Florida gained two U.S. House seats, going from 25 to 27 U.S. Representatives. 

I am eager to see the results from 2020.

Fit 4 Life Owner Celebrates 19 Years In New Tampa & His ‘Coaching Tree’

Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy owner Travis Monday (left) gives head trainer Eric Christiansen a few pointers on one of the studio’s MedX training machines (Photo by Charmaine George).

In the National Football League, you hear a lot about the “coaching tree” of great head coaches — when that coach’s assistant coaches go on to become head coaches themselves. 

Among the top-rated coaching trees of all-time in the NFL were the number of great assistant coaches under former San Francisco 49ers head coach Bill Walsh who also went on to head coaching success.

Not only was Erica Cook a former Fit 4 Life trainer and later a contestant on the “American Ninja Warrior” TV show, she has gone on to open No Limits Personal Training in Gainesville.

Well, while my long-time friend and personal trainer Travis Monday of Fit 4 Life Personal Training & Physical Therapy in Tampa Palms doesn’t have a Mike Holmgren or Sam Wyche in his own unique coaching tree, he has had a number of his personal trainers and physical therapists in his nearly a quarter-century (including 19 years in Tampa) of being in business go on to open either successful training or therapy businesses of their own. And, some have even opened other businesses that aren’t in health-care fields but who learned from Travis how to run a business and how to treat both customers and employees as much as how to teach them the “Super Slow” method of strength training.

“I’m really proud to have been in the New Tampa community for 19 years and to have had Fit 4 Life alumni go on to even bigger and better things,” Travis says.  

A Special Coaching Style

Travis is originally from Wisconsin, and like most people I’ve met from “America’s Dairyland,” he’s just a genuinely nice person. He also obviously practices whatever he’s been preaching to his troops all these years because I’m sure he’s still in single digits of body fat and only his graying hair makes him look any older than he did when he first started training me at his original Tampa Palms location around 2001.

But, those qualities alone aren’t enough to make him a great boss. On the other hand, the fact that he has been able to not only endure, but also thrive, in our area all these years, despite all of the other fitness and therapy places that have come and gone, is a testament to his ability to adapt as needed and keep his people happy.

Whether on MedX machines or in the free weight room, you always get one-on-one attention at Fit 4 Life! (Photo by Charmaine George)

Among the members of Travis’ coaching tree is Lisa Michaelangelo, a former Fit 4 Life physical therapist who has opened and operates the Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center located in Dade City (which we’ve featured in these pages before). 

Travis also is proud that Erica Cook, a former Fit 4 Life personal trainer who not only has gone on to compete on the “American Ninja Warrior” TV show, she also has opened No Limits Personal Training, a cross-fit studio in Gainesville.

And, Travis also said he feels like he helped Ryan Burroughs go from Fit 4 Life trainer to one day open Auto Paint Guard, Inc., which creates invisible “bras” for cars. “It’s not just about training and therapy,” Travis says. “I go over everything I do to run the business with the employees and I get great feedback from them about what they learned here.”

Covid Precautions

In other words, Travis has a lot to be proud of, especially the way Fit 4 Life has been able to stay Covid-free during the pandemic — and that is no accident.

“Of course, we follow all of the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention) guidelines,” Travis says, “But we go above and beyond that. For example, I was told one air purifier would cover the entire facility, but instead I bought two. Our trainers and therapists also wipe down every piece of equipment before and after each time it’s used with a soap and bleach solution that kills the virus. We have hand sanitizing stations and we take everyone’s temperature when they come in. We haven’t had one case here yet and we all want to keep it that way.”

Why Fit 4 Life Works!

In his 24 years of teaching the “Super Slow” method (or “protocol”)  on Fit 4 Life’s super-low-friction MedX machines, Travis has added a free weight room, massage/therapy tables, and he says that he will continue to offer two free training sessions to any first-time visitor. He also offers payment plans for physical therapy patients who want to continue at the facility after their insurance stops paying for their visits.

And, all I can tell you is that Travis and his wife (and physical therapy assistant) Fiona and their two young daughters are an amazing family who genuinely appreciate the continued support of the New Tampa community.

Fit 4 Life Personal Training and Physical Therapy is located at 17419 Bridge Hill Ct. For more information, call (813) 907-7879 or visit Fit4LifeTampa.com. 

Pebble Creek Family Dentistry Celebrates Ten Years & Adds New Dentist

Dr. Vijay Patel (left) opened Pebble Creek Family Dentistry 10 years ago, and last year added Dr. Krupal Patel (Dr. K.P.) to a staff that he says is the “best staff possible.” 
(Photo: Charmaine George)

It’s been 10 years since Vijay Patel, D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery) opened Pebble Creek Family Dentistry at the corner of Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and Regents Park Dr. (next to what is now the Chase Bank) in New Tampa in November 2010.

During that time, his practice has grown and thrived, thanks to his focus on ensuring that every patient who walks through his doors has a good experience.

“Basically,” says Dr. Patel, “We provide great service, care about our patients’ dental health and do everything we can to help them.”

Because of the growth in the practice, and to be able to continue to serve more patients, Dr. Vijay Patel (who goes by “Dr. Patel”) brought on an associate in July of last year. Dr. Krupal Patel, D.M.D. (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) is not related to the original Dr. Patel and goes by “Dr. K.P.” to avoid confusion.

Dr. K.P. earned his D.M.D. degree from the College of Dental Medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL, in May 2019. Prior to that, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Economics in 2014 and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology in 2013, both from the University of South Florida in Tampa.

Immediately upon graduation, he joined Dr. Patel at Pebble Creek Family Dentistry. Dr. Patel earned his B.S. degree in Biology from the University of South Florida in Tampa in 2002, and his D.D.S. degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C., in 2006.

“He provides the same caring and compassionate dentistry as I do,” says Dr. Patel about his associate, whom he met well before Dr. K.P. became a dentist.

“I’ve known Dr. Patel for a long time,” says Dr. K.P. “I actually shadowed him here before dental school. Dr. Patel motivated me to pursue dentistry and it came around full circle. Right around the time he needed someone, I had just gotten out of school and I was ready to work.”

General dentistry procedures offered by the two doctors include cleanings, exams and X-rays, composite fillings, root canal therapy and tooth extractions. Additionally, patients can opt for one of the many cosmetic procedures offered, including porcelain crowns, teeth whitening, dental bridges, veneers, bonding, inlays, onlays and more.

Dr. Patel encourages anyone who wants to learn more about the practice to search “Pebble Creek Family Dentistry” on Google and read the more than 130 positive reviews. He says readers will get a clear picture of the kind of service that’s provided at the practice, and see why so many patients choose it.

Dr. K.P. says that one of the great thing about working at Pebble Creek Family Dentistry is, “Whenever we get a bigger case that takes more thought, we tackle it together and think about how to approach it.” (Photo: Charmaine George)

Al Grasser is a Wesley Chapel resident who is one of Dr. Patel’s very happy patients. Grasser has been seeing Dr. Patel since he opened the Pebble Creek office 10 years ago.

“I’m impressed with Dr. Patel and the service,” Grasser says. “Everyone is super nice, and I can schedule an appointment whenever I need it. The work that does Dr. Patel does is outstanding, and I have recommended him to all my friends and relatives.”

Grasser also has seen Dr. K.P., and says that if Dr. Patel trusts him, he trusts him, too. “Absolutely,” Grasser says. “Dr. Patel would make sure he hires someone who is well qualified.”

Having two doctors in the office allows the pair to collaborate on more complicated cases.

“Whenever we get a bigger case that takes more thought, we tackle it together and think about how to approach it,” explains Dr. K.P., “whether he’s doing the procedure or I am.”

Dr. K.P. says the relationship between the two doctors has evolved in the time he’s been in the practice. 

“In the beginning,” he explains, “it was very much a mentoring relationship. Over time, he’s treated me as an equal, even though he’s the boss. My opinion matters and we bounce ideas off each other. We have a great relationship.”

He especially appreciates what he describes as a great working environment. “It’s just a nice place to be,” says Dr. K.P. “It’s a very spacious, up-to-date facility and a relaxed environment. We’ve got great support from our team members here. The hygienists and assistants do an amazing job.”

Sharing The Credit…

Dr. Patel agrees that one of the strengths of the practice is the fantastic staff. Like Dr. K.P., he credits his three hygienists and three assistants with taking great care of the patients, and says his four front desk staffers are equally supportive and patient-centered.

“I have the best staff possible,” says Dr. Patel, proudly. “We take a lot of time with our patients to make sure they are comfortable, including helping them to understand their treatment and answering all their questions about insurance. Anything they need help with, we take the time to make sure they understand it.”

And, Pebble Creek Family Dentistry accepts most PPO insurance policies.

The doctors see patients ages 6 and older, so everyone in the family — except for the very youngest children — can be part of the same practice and see the same doctors.

Dr. Patel and Dr. K.P.  spend much of their free time volunteering for BAPS Charities, which is a non-profit organization that is the charitable arm of the Hindu temple both doctors attend. 

BAPS is short for Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha. BAPS Charities organizes events such as walk-a-thons to raise money for other nonprofit organizations, including Feeding America Tampa Bay and the Pepin Heart Institute. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the cancellation of any walk-a-thons that would have been held in 2020. The doctors also have helped to organize and provide services at blood drives, health fairs for the community and many other types of community-oriented events.

Dr. Patel says the practice has not had to make too many adjustments to be able to continue to see patients during the pandemic.

“We are open,” he says. “We are taking all precautions that are needed to ensure the health and safety of our patients and employees. But, we are open for everything, with the same hours, and we are confident that we are keeping our patients safe.”

Pebble Creek Family Dentistry is located at 19007 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. It is open Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, visit PebbleCreekFamilyDentistry.com, call (813) 406-4947, or see the ad on page 22 of this issue.

Education & Experience Set Marimark Mortgage Apart

Despite the pandemic, Mary Catchur says this summer has been some of the busiest months she’s had since opening Marimark Mortgage in the Tampa Palms Professional Center in 2006. (Photo: Charmaine George)

Back in March, as the pandemic was starting to shut life down across the U.S., Mary Catchur of Marimark Mortgage was worried about what that would mean for her business. She was preparing for the worst.

But, in a way it seems no one predicted, from April through September, there was a huge uptick in people buying new homes, relocating, and refinancing their existing homes, even while Mary says the financial markets were reacting extremely erratically to the spread of Covid-19. 

People were hearing that rates were at all-time lows, but lenders were concerned about risk and tightening many restrictions.

“It was a crazy time,” Mary says. “Our phones were ringing off the hook.”

Mary first opened Marimark Mortgage in the Tampa Palms Professional Center off Commerce Park Blvd. in 2006. She says the summer months of 2020 ended up being her busiest season in years — and that has allowed her company to shine, doing what they do best.

“As a small business, we could react quickly to changes that were going on and run our business efficiently,” she says. “People were calling their bank, and the bank was telling them they were too swamped to help, or it would take up to 90 days to close.” 

She adds that when someone comes to Marimark for a home loan, they are offered the same or better mortgage products as the big banks. But, they also receive a wealth of information, and are generally able to close much more quickly than they would with the big banks. In fact, Mary says they were still closing most loans within 30 days. She even had one loan — through a VA loan program — that was cleared to close in four days with a 2.375% interest rate.

Mary is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who spent 13 years as an auditor for KPMG (Klynveld, Peat, Marwick & Goerdeler), one of the “Big Four” U.S. public accounting firms, which was founded in The Netherlands. Then, she was the chief financial officer for an internet-based real estate company, in which she established a mortgage division.

As a CPA, Mary understands her clients’ income and tax returns. Her broad financial background helps her clients, especially those with special circumstances — such as being self-employed, or retired and living off of their assets. 

She says other companies may not know how to structure a loan for those clients, because they don’t have the financial background to understand the nuances of the process.

Marimark offers a complete line of financing options, such as conventional loans, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans and loans through the Veterans Administration (VA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Mary is a Pennsylvania native who grew up helping out at her family’s electrical business, but she has called Tampa home since 1979. 

She earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degrees in Accounting and French from the University of South Florida (USF) and currently maintains her mortgage broker’s license in Florida, Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Her background also allows her a much better understanding of the entire mortgage process.

When you call a bank, for example, the person who takes your application may not have a deep understanding of the underwriting process. Mary says many people who came to her this summer had gotten an initial approval from their bank, but when the loan went to underwriting, there was something that kept it from being approved.

She understands the frustration of being told your loan isn’t approved weeks into the process, and says that hardly ever happens with Marimark.

“Maybe two times in 14 years something has come up in underwriting that I didn’t foresee,” she says, “which is completely the opposite of what I hear happens at the banks.”

Now, she says, she is grateful the craziness of the summer is behind her. She says the industry has stabilized and approval guidelines have loosened.

“Right now is a great time to get financed to buy,” she says. “Rates are still at all-time lows, people can still get loans, and we can help them.”

Education & Support

Ryan Schleich and his wife Summer bought a home in Tampa Palms in August. Three weeks later, they welcomed the newest member of their family, baby Nolan.

While expecting a child and renting, the couple decided to buy a home, and Ryan found Marimark Mortgage through a Google search.

“She was located right around the corner,” he says, “and it didn’t look like a large shop, so I thought there would be a personal touch.”

He says Marimark Mortgage went well beyond his expectations in not only that personal touch but with everything else, too.

“We are first-time homeowners and it was absolutely overwhelming,” Ryan says. “I previously worked in foreclosures, so I knew the process, but doing it on my own would have been hectic and anxiety-ridden. Mary was very organized, went through options of different programs, and explained the different types of mortgage and loans. She was very informative — even before we agreed to work with her.”

Mary encourages anyone who is considering buying a home to do a Google search for her company. She says a quick read through the many positive reviews will help you — like it did Ryan — understand how she treats her customers.

“My approach is straightforward and educational,” Mary says. “When I got into the business, I saw a real need to educate people so they would know why the product they were getting was better for them.”

Mary says she shouldn’t be the one choosing a loan product for a client, but it’s important for her clients to be fully educated about their loan. For example, maybe you’ve been offered a low rate, but do you know what fees you have to pay to get that rate?

“Maybe the most important thing to you is getting the lowest possible payment,” she explains, “or maybe it’s paying the least amount of money over the life of the loan, but we need to talk about your entire scenario and what your goals and needs are.”

Mary also is proud that Marimark offers a streamlined, efficient process, with great communication. She uses technology to her clients’ and her company’s advantage, such as, for example, automatic notifications every step of the process.

“Communication, particularly through Covid, has been key,” Mary says. “We have to be up to date on what’s happening, and we constantly communicate to our clients how that affects them.”

Marimark Mortgage is located at 5327 Primrose Lake Cir. For more info, visit MarimarkMortgage.com, call (813) 910-8020, or see the ad on page 31 of this issue.