A Mutual Love of Horses

Almost immediately after the two met, Terri Van Praet was describing Robin Vilter as tenacious, elegant, and down-to-earth. “Robin is like a private investigator when it comes to buying a house.”

Terri Van Praet (standing) with Robin Vilter’s daughter on horseback.

in 2019 Terri Van Praet was in Florida competing in a horse show. That’s when she met Robin Vilter, who was at the horse show with with her daughter. Terri and Robin both attended a dinner hosted by their mutual horse trainer.

When Terri mentioned that she was looking for a horse farm in Leelanau County, Michigan, Robin opened her phone and showed Terri a boutique horse farm in a perfect location near Maple City. Robin asked Terri “Is this what you’re looking for?” Terri immediately recognized that the farm was in the perfect location for her needs. After some deft negotiating by Robin with the horse farm’s owners, they settled on the perfect price.

While she had frequently visited Traverse City, Michigan to see her nephew, Terri resides in Florida most of the year. Despite not visiting the property in person, Terri trusted Robin enough to purchase the property site unseen.

“Robin listens to her clients. She’s very professional and has your best interests in mind. She’s a workhorse who stays up until three am sometimes to get something done.”

When Terri had some issues around the availability of a trust, the closing was pushed back thirty days. After ascertaining that this was the best possible deal, Robin offered Terri a rental property free of charge (Robin’s group also manages several rental properties).

Since then Terri has called on Robin over other realtors whenever she’s in the market for a property because she feels that Robin is extra special, would fight to get her the best possible price, and make sure everything went smoothly.

“Robin is tenacious, elegant and down-to-earth. She’s like a private investigator when it comes to buying a house.”

In 2022 when Terri needed to sell the horse farm, Robin was the only agent she would consider working with. “Robin made sure we made the best amount of money. She was very protective and made us $100,000 over the asking price.”

“She knows everybody,” Terri said. “If you see a street you want to live on, she’ll find you a house.” —Terri Van Praet

Terri was also impressed by the efforts Robin’s group made to stage her house. She said it made her not want to sell. “Robin used our own furniture to stage the place, so it didn’t cost extra.” Robin also found buyers for the furniture Terri didn’t need in her new place. “She can do anything and will to make sure you are in a positive place. Robin’s a problem solver. You know all will be well. She keeps her word. You have a real relationship with her.”

photo by Helena Lopes