Molly’s House Story

Growing up with an architect mother my feelings about space, light and design seem part of my DNA, ironic since I can’t measure accurately and find renovations to be a nightmare. My husband, on the other hand, a Chicago iron worker has visions of things like saunas, roofs being raised, walls knocked down, floors replaced. However, Robin found us the house of our dreams, probably not everyone’s dreams being small and slightly dated but the bones were great, it came with a privately owned beach, abutted on a protected forest and its aspect was charmingly modest. There is a small homeowners association, and it is a cul-de-sac within walking distance of downtown Leland.

Molly’s dream home

We chose the Leelanau Peninsula because of its lakes and its beauty. Driving north from Chicago I was scrolling through house listings and when I mentioned Leland to my husband, he told me his Norwegian mother who had died much too young, loved that town. I checked for a library and stores, an art venue and, most importantly, water. It checked every box including the promise of less driving as the town was small with everything located withing walking distance. 

I emailed Robin Vilter and received an immediate response. Yes, she could meet us the next day. We spoke on the phone, and I listed our preferences. She laughed and commented on how specific yet vague our needs were. I liked her immediately, her responsiveness, how well she listened and, most importantly, her sense of humor. I could tell she was smart, and her online testimonials were glowing.

Robin first took us to a condominium at The Homestead in Glen Arbor with three bedrooms and two bathrooms which had been our request. The property was nice, but it had little character, was far from a town or a place to swim and neither of us wanted to be in a condominium again. We wanted a house, a small house considering our budget but still a place that felt like ours. Robin headed closer to Leland and stopped at a property shaped like a tugboat, the iconic mailbox shape used all over the Leelanau Peninsula. In this case the house was shaped like that. We were located directly on Route 22 and while there was Lake Leelanau a dive from our back deck it seemed almost too close.

Molly with her husband Timo

And then she remembered another listing on a cul-de-sac, a mile from downtown Leland, sharing a beach at the end of the street with other owners, a house in our price point that had been on the market for several months. We pulled into the driveway of a grey Cape Cod Style house, small, solid, landscaped simply and on a large lot. I knew it was the right choice, surrounded by trees, a familiar design, within walking distance of the beach, both Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau and downtown Leland. The kitchen was large and green but filled with light. The appliances were not updated but as Robin pointed out they worked and could slowly be replaced. The kitchen door opened out into a small garden. The floors were wood, the flow of the rooms classic, the bathrooms not great but then again, we were hoping to create our own sanctuary not inherit someone else’s. Robin knows the area very well. She gave us the background on the area, who had lived there previously, the history of the town and some local gossip which I greatly appreciated.

My passions are swimming and biking. In each location there are both in abundance. 

As we drove away, I told my husband, “I want that house.” He pointed out we had not seen many other places but after I researched the land behind us and realized it was protected by the Leelanau Conservatory, I was adamant. Mind you, all of this took place in the dead of winter. There was snow on the ground, and it was freezing but the beauty and the character of Leland shone through.

We made an offer and Robin immediately went to work. We wanted to buy it as all cash but some of our funds were held up and there was a bit of a crush to buy before another offer was accepted. Throughout Robin was professional, kind, and kept her sense of humor. She recommended an excellent inspector and pointed out some issues we needed to bring up. I have never felt so supported and seen. This house was at a much lower price point than another we saw but Robin’s made no attempt to upsell.

If I had to invent a perfect real estate agent, she would be Robin Vilter. I have bought and sold five houses in my life, and she is the only agent who has become a friend.

—Molly Moynahan, Leelanau homeowner