Thursday, October 1, 2026
For first-time homebuyer Liam Sugrue, getting a house on Long Island meant clearing more than one hurdle.
After spending months searching in a competitive market, Sugrue and his girlfriend finally went into contract on an English Tudor in the Westwood section of Malverne. Then came another realization: They needed something to put inside it.
The couple was moving from Sugrue’s parents’ Garden City home into an approximately 1,800-square-foot house. They had a bed and dresser, but not nearly enough furniture to fill their new space.
That’s when an unexpected connection with realtor and designer Joseph DeVito of Douglas Elliman came into play.
Sugrue didn’t meet DeVito by hiring him as his realtor. The two met at an open house where DeVito represented the seller. Sugrue and his girlfriend were searching without representation at the time. They struck up a conversation with DeVito and stayed connected.
“We just kind of became friends and we connected,” Sugrue said.
Sugrue grew up in Garden City and moved back home while attending law school at Hofstra University. He remained there while saving money to purchase a house on Long Island.
He estimates he and his girlfriend spent six to 12 months searching. Along the way, they saw plenty of homes and experienced the frustration of competing with other buyers, including all-cash offers. Eventually, they found a home in Malverne.
The new home represents a significant change in space. Sugrue described his current living arrangement as essentially a bedroom, living room and bathroom upstairs in his parents’ house. The new Tudor has three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, a kitchen, living room and additional space.
As Sugrue and his girlfriend prepared for the move, they told DeVito they planned to visit stores in the area and look for furniture deals.
DeVito had another idea. He told them about a couple in Kings Park who were redoing their house. DeVito was helping them with the design and knew they were replacing the furniture in their living and dining areas. Sugrue immediately expressed interest.
Sugrue had heard similar offers of assistance while house hunting, he said, but they didn’t always lead anywhere. This time was different.
“As soon as I said that, he got on the phone with the couple that had the furniture,” Sugrue said.
DeVito arranged the connection, and Sugrue and his girlfriend visited the Kings Park home. They came away with tables, couches and chairs.
The furniture was in good condition, Sugrue said, and will give the couple much of what they need for their dining and living room.
They rented a storage unit and put the pieces there while they wait to close on the Malverne property.
Instead of moving into what Sugrue jokingly imagined could have been an “empty cavern,” they’ll have the beginnings of a furnished home waiting for them.
They’ll also save some money at a time when the expenses associated with buying and moving into a first home can add up.
For Sugrue, the memorable part wasn’t simply that DeVito knew someone with furniture to spare. It was how quickly he acted after hearing what the young couple needed.
“It was surprising that he was so kind to help out and take so many active steps in ensuring that we could get the furniture,” Sugrue said.
That help grew out of a chance meeting at an open house rather than a formal client relationship.
Now, as Sugrue and his girlfriend prepare to make the move from Garden City, the connection has given them something tangible to bring with them.
Their first home won’t begin with empty living and dining rooms. It will begin with furniture, some savings and a story about the unexpected connection that helped them get settled.
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