During a family visit to the Bellaire area in the Spring of 2005, Marcel Dijkstra  of Vacation Properties Network showed us a beautiful wooded lot on a ridgeline overlooking Intermediate Lake and the valley surrounding it.  We fell in love with the lot and signed a purchase agreement that weekend, intending to hold the property for investment.

Soon afterward we met Troy Martin, who showed us many of the fine homes that VPN has created in the surrounding area.  It didn’t take long to reach our next decision:  we would sell our California investment property and let Troy and his team create a Northern Michigan retreat at Spring Ridge.  Before long the design team of Troy Martin and Anne Robinson had pen to paper, capturing all of our wild ideas and turning them into a cohesive, workable design.

We received Troy and Anne’s undivided attention.  Let’s just say they were both on “speed dial.”  Even those who have never been through the design / build process will appreciate that it can be a stressful experience.  Ideas constantly drift in and out of the picture, and concepts we originally believed to be sound had to be sacrificed to achieve the home we envisioned.  Troy and Anne were patient and supportive throughout the entire process – suggesting fantastic ideas, encouraging us to reject concepts that just didn’t fit our goals or our budget, and ultimately guiding us to a design that we are thrilled with.    

Exchanges of investment properties involve difficult tax and legal issues.  The design and construction processes themselves also require attention to legal details such as the negotiation of fair contracts and compliance with lien laws.   VPN did not view any of these issues as obstacles or annoyances.  To the contrary, VPN handled these details in a manner that only reinforced our confidence.  As an attorney, I was singularly impressed with VPN’s common-sense approach to the legal details.  In particular, it was a pleasure working with David Rowe of your legal staff in navigating some of the more complex matters. 

Breaking ground was an exciting time.  The thrill of the construction phase was short-lived, however – because VPN had the house built in less than six months.  Ken Kowatch (also on “speed dial”) choreographed a group of seasoned subcontractors from excavation through drywall, without a hitch.  From our perspective, this could only have been possible in an environment of mutual trust and respect between builder and subcontractor.  As we all know, it is a pleasure to practice your trade with people who trust and appreciate you.  We would be remiss if we did not also thank the many subs and material suppliers whose contributions were invaluable – please see the enclosed list.

With VPN, we didn’t just hire a builder.  We met new and trusted friends who just happen to build beautiful homes.  You should be proud of your entire team. 

Thank you and best regards,

Fred & Mindy Herrmann