Our story
TBRE was founded on a belief in a higher standard of real estate — one rooted in builder’s heritage, guided by quality over quantity, and executed with intention.
For founders Sean Terpstra and Liz Burton, real estate has never been simply transactional. It is a long-view pursuit shaped by discipline, experience, and a deep respect for the homes and communities that define West Michigan’s lakeshore. Both were raised in families deeply connected to the building industry, where the expectation was clear and uncompromising: do it right, or don’t do it at all.
Sean’s foundation was formed on custom home job sites across West Michigan, working alongside his father from a young age. There, he developed a working knowledge of structural integrity, materials, sequencing, and craftsmanship — but perhaps more importantly, an understanding that a home’s true value lies not just in its appearance, but in how it performs and endures over time. Liz’s early years working at her family’s lumber yard — painting boards, loading orders, and delivering lumber to job sites throughout the community — provided a practical foundation in building materials and craftsmanship, shaping her appreciation for architectural detail and the decisions that distinguish homes built to endure from those built for the short term.
That shared builder’s foundation gives TBRE a unique and meaningful advantage. We don’t just understand real estate — we understand homes. The bones behind the drywall. The materials beneath the finishes. The craftsmanship that determines whether a space will stand the test of time or quietly require compromise. This perspective allows us to help our clients evaluate opportunities more thoughtfully, identify long-term value, and make decisions with greater confidence.
Though their professional paths initially diverged — Sean into finance, development, and property management, and Liz into journalism, advertising, and large-scale brand leadership — their perspectives ultimately converged around a shared commitment to elevating the standard of real estate service available to clients along the lakeshore.
That alignment took shape during the renovation of a mixed-use building in Holland’s South Shore Village, located near the Heinz Boardwalk. Together with Liz’s husband, Evan, Sean and Liz purchased the property, which featured a three-bedroom apartment above a beloved local pizzeria and coffee shop. What began as preliminary plans to update the residential unit quickly evolved into a full-scale gut renovation.
Sean brought years of hands-on construction and renovation experience to the project. Liz stepped into a hands-on building role that was entirely new to her — learning the process piece by piece as they demoed the apartment down to its structure and rebuilt it together from the inside out. Working side by side through each stage of the project, they discovered how naturally their technical and creative perspectives complemented one another — and how valuable that integrated approach could be when applied to real estate advising.
South Shore Village became the foundation of TBRE. It proved that together, they offered something uncommon within the industry: a builder’s understanding, a designer’s eye with a marketing edge, and a strategic real estate mindset working in tandem.
Today, TBRE represents buyers, sellers, and investors who value thoughtful decision-making, disciplined execution, and properties meant to endure. With experience spanning both the technical and creative sides of the housing industry, Sean and Liz bring clarity, preparation, and care to each transaction — helping clients navigate the complexities of buying, selling, renovating, and investing with greater insight.
In a region experiencing rapid growth and development, TBRE remains committed to prioritizing quality decisions over transaction volume. Sean and Liz believe the most meaningful real estate work is defined not by the number of homes sold, but by the lasting impact each decision has on the property itself, the surrounding neighborhood, and the broader community.
They are not simply REALTORS® — they are advocates, advisors, educators, and partners dedicated to elevating the experience of buying, selling, and investing in West Michigan real estate.
