Newsletter Vol 12 - Preview Properties

THE THE PREVIEW PREVIEW REVIEW
REVIEW
A A PUBLICATION PUBLICATION OF OF PREVIEW PREVIEW PROPERTIES.COM
PROPERTIES.COM
Volume 12, Number 1 February 2009 An ISO 9001 Registered Company
2008 2008 Awards Awards Dinner
Dinner
After an informative continuing education
class with Jerry Holloway at the Brighton
Preview Properties.com on January 16,
2009, Preview Properties.com’s agents
and their guests moved on to Barton Hills
Country Club in Ann Arbor for the annual
Awards Dinner. As Bob Smith reported
on the blog, “What a wonderful evening—great
company, great food, and a
chance to relax.” Val Potts said, “Friday
night was another example of all the wonderful things associated with
Preview Properties.com—a great support group and friendship between
agents and management.”
The Top 20 Preview Properties.com Agents for 2008 are as follows:
1. John Bogdasarian 11. Jim Soltis
2. Ron and Gail Sipes 12. George Bush
3. Todd and Holly Koch 13. Bob Smith
4. Julie Fischer 14. JoAn Hauber
5. Robin Love 15. Val Potts
6. Greg Garwood 16. Marla Heatley
7. Rich Kownacki 17. Sandy Bailey-Bristol
8. Priscilla Watts 18. Joe Panessidi
9. Neal Sanford 19. Theresa Runyan
10. Andy Stersic 20. Pat Welgs and Norm Burmeister
Dick Kerschbaum is
surprised at his award.
Preview Properties.com recognized Jennie
Gehring as “most dedicated in community
service.” A $1,000 check from Preview
Properties.com will be presented to The
Connection by Jennie. Dick Kerschbaum
was recognized for the “most training
hours.”
Along with the Preview Properties.com
awards, Title America gave the Kohl Award
to Robin Love and Sharon Mascola for
being the ideal, perfect customer. Sherry
Hinsperger and Title America thanked Ron
and Gail Sipes for bringing the largest number of transactions to the
closing table. Robin Love and Greg Garwood tied for the second
most transactions.
Greg Garwood was recognized by Property Mortgage for the most
mortgages processed. Terri Weisman and Marie Karas thanked all
of the Preview Properties.com agents for their support and specifically
recognized Greg, Val Potts, Priscilla Watts, Bob Bohlen, Joette
Bickel, and Robin Love for their referrals in 2008.
In summary, Robin Love said, “What a great banquet. Thanks for
management’s recognition of all the hard work each agent put in this
year to survive and thrive in this market.”
Chris Bonish accepts
the Bob Dingler award
from Scott Bohlen.
Lisa Bohlen and Scott
Bohlen recognize the
2008 award winners.
Bob Bob Dingler Dingler Dingler Award Award
Award
A Special Congratulations to Preview
Properties.com’s 2008 Top Sales Associates
Scott congratulates John
on another great year.
Top salesperson once again, John Bogdasarian says
that he looked at the challenging 2008 real estate market
as an opportunity. Closing the sale of the South
Bend Portfolio paid John $350,000 in commission plus
a huge return on his own equity that was in the deal.
Not only was this transaction profitable monetarily, it
also was confidence building to do more acquisitions in
2009. John Bogdasarian says he plans to work harder
and do at least 4 acquisitions in 2009.
John’s advice to other Realtors regarding today’s market
is to get on the buy side, get buyers and do deals,
lots of them. Read motivational/educational books
everyday, set your ideal day and follow it, write down
your goals, and exercise everyday because life is very,
very short. John says take advantage of every minute.
How does John accomplish all of this? He works 9-5 Monday through Friday and
that is it. John and Lindsay are parents of two little girls, Avery and Ruby with
whom John has breakfast each morning and spends time with before dinner each
evening. He tries to schedule Avery’s swimming class into his ideal day. These
events would also be on John’s list of 10’s and 25’s.
John is careful to plan for special 50’s and 100’s as well. The family just went to
Florida for a week which was special though John admits traveling with two little
ones is not easy. John and Lindsay are looking forward to a trip to the Ritz-
Carlton in Chicago without kids in tow. One of his big rocks is the cottage up
north where the family will spend 2 months this summer. John has his goals written
down, do you?
Preview Properties.com’s number 2 sales associates
were the team of Ron and Gail Sipes. Ron says that
concentrating on service was the biggest boost to their
bottom line in 2008. The Sipes team tries to provide the
best service possible when they get a client to make the
client’s life and job easier. They said the most rewarding
sale that they made in 2008 was to a single mother.
Through the negotiating skills of Ron and Gail and the
efforts of a network of inspectors and good assistance
from mortgage people, they were able to help the
mother make a great purchase for her family.
Ron and Gail Sipes
take second place for
production in 2008.
According to Ron and Gail, it is really important to develop
an appreciation for the client/customer and be thankful that they bring you
their business. To maintain and to continue to develop a great real estate business,
Ron expects to focus on developing relationships with more clients who can
do multiple transactions.
Ten’s and 25’s for Ron and Gail are dining out, going to the theater, and of
course, following the Michigan State basketball and football teams. A tour of the
western United States will be on Ron and Gail’s schedule for 2009 and a cruise
through the Panama Canal is being planned in the future.
As John Bogdasarian and the Sipes know, it is important to reward yourself for
Each year since 1999, the Bob Dingler Award
the hard work success in real estate entails.
has been given in memory of Bob Dingler who
was always upbeat and positive, always learning and 100% loyal to Preview Properties.com, its management, its coaches, and its
sales associates. Bob Dingler, a former Preview Properties.com sales associate and the contractor for the remodeling of the Preview
Properties.com office building, exemplified the very best attributes of an outstanding salesperson and human being.
This year’s award was presented to Chris Bonish, Technology Manager at Preview Properties.com. In the spring of 2008, it was
decided to hire Chris Bonish as a full time technology manager after several years as a technology consultant to the company;
what a great decision that has proven to be. Like Bob Dingler, Chris is upbeat and positive, always learning and 100% loyal to
Preview Properties.com. When there is a technology problem, Chris is here to answer the call. In addition, he has taught many
agent training classes on computer use and functions. Agents and staff all agree that he is one of the great benefits of working at
Preview Properties.com.
Chris has spent many years working with web developers and on projects developing database applications. He is presently continuing his education at
Lansing Community College where he is majoring in Network Security. You can also expect to hear that he is studying real estate using part of the $1,000
education scholarship that is part of the Bob Dingler award.

Ebe Cecchetti Hennigan
1958-2009
Preview Properties.com sends their prayers and condolences to Erik Hennigan and Jason Cecchetti on the
death of their Mother and our associate, Ebe Hennigan. Ebe, a longtime resident of Pinckney, was licensed
with Preview McKay in 1990. At the time, she was a Regional Manager for Deloitte & Touche where she
worked for 28 years. After getting her real estate license, Ebe always attended Preview Properties annual
continuing education training. Each year, Ebe would say that someday she would do real estate full time.
Finally, Ebe said that a family crisis made her make the decision to leave the corporate world to join Preview
Properties full time in 2003. According to Ebe, she loved real estate and found it much more fulfilling than
the corporate world.
One reason Ebe enjoyed real estate had to be her desire to help her family and friends realize their dreams. Ebe was co-chairman
of the St. Mary’s Catholic Church building and move committee a few years ago as they moved to their magnificent new church and
school. Recognized as one of St. Mary’s finest parishioners, Ebe organized the Punxigras Celebration last year as well as the island
flower planting that beautified the parish last summer. In addition to her church activities, Ebe loved gardening, cooking, reading,
and traveling, especially to visit her relatives in her homeland of San Marino and Italy.
Ebe was an adoring mother to her two sons, Erik and Jason and she was so proud of their accomplishments in school and in their
chosen careers in the United States Army. In recent months, we missed seeing Ebe on a daily basis as she worked for TCF Bank,
but as recently as the Christmas holidays, she was showing properties on the weekends. We will miss Ebe’s smile, laugh, and enthusiasm
for family, life, and real estate and our thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Community Community Service
Service
Two years ago, in an effort to become more involved in our community, Preview Properties.com’s management,
agents, and staff began working together to help area non-profits. Many dollars, many hours, lots of
good food, and some fun times later, we have made a difference.
In 2008, Preview Properties.com hosted Blood Drives for the American Red Cross on January 5, May 10,
and August 28 collecting almost 60 units of blood on the three days. We are planning quarterly blood drives
for 2009 with the first drive February 13. The February 13 Red Cross Blood Drive saved 39 lives with 18
blood donors. Our next blood drive is May 29.
Who would have ever guessed that Preview Properties.com’s agents would be competitive? The Penny
Wars began in February with friendly competition between the upstairs, downstairs, and staff and assistants.
Nearly $500 was raised for Gleaners, our local community food bank, through this project.
Terri Weisman chose to prepare breakfast before the Tuesday sales meetings to raise money for her participation in the Walk for
the Cure. Her delicious breakfasts earned $372. In addition, the breakfast idea caught on and upstairs, downstairs, and staff
started doing breakfasts for Lacasa and Gleaners. You know Realtors love to eat so these breakfasts will continue throughout
2009. The schedule for the first six months is now posted on the blog.
Joette Bickel organized the first drive for Cell Phones for Soldiers and efforts of Preview Properties.com are now responsible for
collecting 1204 phones. Even if we took the sign down, we are now “the collection point” for used cell phones.
Paul and Judy Klebba took over the LESA Backpack project. Through gifts, contributions, and money collected from CITO lunches,
we were able to provide 45 backpacks with a value of approximately $28 each. We were the only local business besides banks to
become involved as a community drop-off site for the backpack collection.
Our final project for 2008 was Lacasa’s Christmas Adopt a Family. A holiday happy hour with a fun white elephant auction and
CITO breakfasts and lunches raised nearly $1,000 from which Cindy Kelly purchased lots of nice gifts for our family and we were
able to present a $625 check to Bobette Schrandt, Executive Director of Lacasa, for Lacasa’s general fund.
We have also provided food, beauty products, and money to The Connection, Family Impact Center, and United Way. The community
service project was successful because of the hours of volunteerism, the food prepared, and the money donated to these worthy
causes. Besides raising thousands of dollars, we had fun, we feel good, and we ate really well. Thanks to all of Preview Properties.com’s
management, agents, and staff for your generous support of the Community Service projects.
Our first fund raising events in 2009 were in honor and memory of our colleague Ebe Hennigan. We were able to present her sons
a check for $550 for the Ebe Hennigan Memorial Scholastic Fund for St. Mary’s Catholic
Church as well as gift cards for Erik Hennigan and Jason Cecchetti to use while Ebe was a
patient at Beaumont Hospital.
View the future events on the Preview Properties.com blog to see the many community service
events scheduled for 2009. You can look forward to lots of good food too!
Val and Hal Potts show their holiday spirit
wearing their Christmas sweaters.
Jennie Gehring
participates in the
white elephant auction.

Welcome to New Preview Properties.com Agents
Doug Angst, Anne-Marie Converse, Dennis Merrick, and Beth Miracle recently joined Preview Properties.com as sales associates.
Please take some time to introduce yourself to them and see if there is anything you can do to make their transition
to real estate at Preview Properties.com easier and more rewarding.
Doug Angst owned an insurance agency before joining Preview Properties.com. For the record, he attended the University
of Michigan and lives in Brighton. Doug can be reached at 810-220-1496 and his email is dangst@previewproperties.com.
Anne-Marie Converse graduated from Hartland High School and has been a licensed Realtor since 1993 working at the
Michigan Group and Re-Max in Howell. Anne-Marie has joined the Joe Panessidi team. She can be reached at 810-220-
1433 or annemarie104@gmail.com.
Dennis Merrick is retired from the Ford Motor Company and most recently was a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker in Plymouth.
He will be working with John Bogdasarian in the Ann Arbor office and Dennis can be reached at 734-477-9400. His
email address is djm29@yahoo.com.
Beth Miracle is sales agent for Hometown Village as well as the properties in Grand Ledge and Milan. She has worked with
new developments for several years and can best be reached at 248-767-1007 or by email at dbmiracle@yahoo.com.
2009
2009
Awards Awards
Awards
Dinner Dinner
Dinner
From the Holt Office, Sandy
Bailey-Bristol and Sally Johnson
enjoy the awards dinner.
Robin Love and Sharon Mascola
receive Title America’s Kohl
Award from Sherry Hinsperger.
Elizabeth Fairchild
congratulates Gail Sipes of
the #2 Sipes Team.
Representing the Ann
Arbor office, Marla
Heatley is recognized as
the #16 2008 agent.
Scott Bohlen announced that a
$1000 check from Preview Properties.com
will be presented to The
Connection by Jennie Gehring.
Terri Weisman and Marie Karas of Property Mortgage.com
prepare to thank Preview Properties.com for their business.
The The 10 10 REO REO Commandments
Commandments
Rich Kownacki is a Preview Properties.com Realtor
who specializes in servicing REO listings. He revisited
memories from his parochial schooling when he shared
his Ten Commandments (as they relate to REO properties)
with fellow agents in Friday's prospecting meeting:
1. I am the Lord your God. In the REO business: Your
Seller (the bank, the investor) is who you are responsible
to (your “God”).
2. You shall have no other gods before me/not make
yourself an idol. In the REO business: There are companies
out there who will tell you they can get you in the
REO business for a fee (EX: $1,000). Be wary, it's not
that easy.
3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of your
God. In the REO business: Be careful what you say to
your Seller and how you say it. Don’t let your ego get in
the way. Remember that the “first offer is usually the
best offer.”
4. Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. In the REO
business: Try to take at least one day off each week so
you don’t burn out.
5. Honor your father and mother. In the REO business:
The owners of your company have a business to run –
respect that and work with them, not against them. If
you are going to be a complainer, get out.
6. You shall not murder. In the REO business: Do not
kill the deal. Do not get in the way of the deal.
7. You shall not commit adultery. In the REO business:
Don’t screw around – you have to be diligent and do
your job. That means no red lights on your REO
dashboard.
8. You shall not steal. In the REO business: Do not
charge for services that were not done. Do not inflate
charges. You will get caught.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your
neighbor. In the REO business = Don’t lie.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife/anything
that belongs to your neighbor. In the REO business:
Don’t be envious of other people’s success. Focus on
the business you have and not the business you don’t
have. More and more real estate agents are dropping
out of the business because they can’t cut it.
and one extra one…
11. Always be in control.

THE THE PREVIEW PREVIEW REVIEW
REVIEW
A publication of
Preview Properties.com
130 W. Grand River
Brighton, MI 48116
(810)220-0000
FAX (810)220-1511
OFFICERS/DIRECTORS
Scott Bohlen 220-1515
Chief Executive Officer
Bob Bohlen 220-1500
Director
Nancy E. Bohlen 220-1517
Broker of Record
Larry H. Vering 220-1514
Vice President - Finance
Regina Benson 220-1501
Vice President
John Bogdasarian
Board Member
STAFF
Lisa Bohlen, Controller
Chris Bonish, Technology Manager
Lois Bota, Client Care Services
Lisa Bullock, Agent Services
Lisa Henecke, Transaction Coordinator
Shery McBride, Accounting Clerk
Wanda Kray, Receptionist
Kathy Paul, Accountant
Barb Wardrop, Receptionist
Mary Jo Zurawski, Closing
Coordinator
THE PREVIEW REVIEW, published by
Preview Properties.com, 130 W. Grand
River, Brighton, MI 48116, is devoted to
news of corporate activities, real estate
Visit Visit Preview Preview Properties.com’s
Properties.com’s
Blog Blog Everyday
Everyday
http://previewpropertiescom.blogspot.com
You are on vacation, you need to
know who is doing Friday prospecting
and what is the topic, or you are home
with the flu and still want to keep up
with what is happening at Preview
Properties.com; there is no better way
than visiting the Preview Properties.com
blog site each day. There is
a very complete calendar to let you
know what training is scheduled for
that day and whether there will be a
CITO lunch that week.
You missed Bob Bohlen’s Short Sale
session; the notes are on the blog.
You want to know more about Facebook,
You Tube, and Twitter; check
the blog. You want to comment on
one of the many educational events
happening at Preview Properties.com;
there is room for that as well. To be
on top of what is happening in our real
estate world, stay tuned in to our blog
site which can conveniently be
searched by dates or names.
Customer Service Survey
Scott Bohlen is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and kind according to Gjon and Christina
Termalaj. They say that every encounter that they had with Scott during the purchase of 9903 Viewcrest
was positive. They live in Scott’s neighborhood.
George Bush was extremely knowledgeable according to Larry and Eva Bush when they purchased
2462 Lost Creek.
Elizabeth Fairchild was always willing to show Matthew and Holly Barton homes on little notice. They
found Elizabeth online and they appreciated how well she stayed in touch with them. The Barton’s purchased
9037 Blueberry Hill and they were amazed at how efficiently and wonderfully everything went.
Elizabeth Fairchild sold Timothy and Laura Armstrong their first home and they appreciate the close
relationship and good communication Elizabeth provided in their recent transaction on 9157 Ambergrove.
Elizabeth Fairchild got excellent marks from Jean Furnari for the quick closure of the 13 acres of vacant
land on Green Road that closed on February 20, 2009. Ms. Furnari called Elizabeth from a sign next to
the Green Road property that she wanted to sell.
Julie Fischer was called by Robert Boshaw from a for sale sign. He rated all services in the real estate
transaction on 1152 Rue Deauville excellent.
Julie Fischer was always very prompt in replying to questions and inquiries when Susan Fennerlly and
Paul Hilse bought 1016 Alpine Drive. They said Julie was very nice to work with and the use of the Preview
truck was an added benefit. The buyers were a referral from Julie’s friend Maria Haddock.
Greg Garwood’s personal care and communication with Michael and Sarah Verlinden was greatly appreciated
during the sale of their home at 7687 Spring Trace. They had purchased the home through
Greg.
Greg Garwood’s communication and follow through was amazing when Judith Coffman purchased 85
Lakeshore Vista. According to Judy, Greg was always available and he was very easy to talk to. The
closing was smooth and easy to understand.
Jennie Gehring’s prompt response time impressed Chyanne Cooper when she worked with Jennie on
the purchase of 7409 Longworth.
Jennie Gehring kept Phillip and Jeanne Kurimaki up to date on everything during the purchase of 899
Deer Valley and the service during the transaction was excellent.
JoAn Hauber did a great job selling Ryan and Janet Shell’s home at 7173 Wide Valley. They called
JoAn because she sold another home in their neighborhood.
Andy Karas couldn’t have worked any harder on this sale and he deserved more than he received for all
of his hard work when Andy sold 920 Boston Blvd. for William and Jean Taylor. They heard about Andy
from a very close friend and they appreciated the warmness of the people involved in the sale.
Klod Kasmi was easy to work with according to Joseph Fulton who first heard of Preview Properties.com
through the paper. Mr. Fulton appreciated Klod’s hard work when he purchased 1201 Oakcrest.
Dick Kerschbaum is a nice guy and was very helpful when Londell Johnson and Ebony Wesley purchased
12866 Appleton Street. Their initial contact with Dick was by email.
Dick Kerschbaum went out of his way to find a buyer for Tracy Sink’s home located at 4350 Center
Road. Ms. Sink and the buyer Louis M. Walsh, Jr. said communication with Dick was great throughout
the transaction. Mr. Walsh called Dick off of a sign.
Todd Koch provided invaluable information regarding who to contact for a lender and for information
from the City of Brighton when Todd and Tianna Rooney purchased 120 Flint Road.
Robin Love met Sara Huard at an open house and Sara really appreciated Robin’s flexibility with last
minute showings. Also, Robin made the closing of 91 Mower Road as smooth as possible.
Nick and Michelle Lycos gave the extra effort to get things done during Eldora Stark’s recent transaction
on 105 Cox Boulevard. Ms. Stark was referred to Preview and the Lycos’.
Nick and Michelle Lycos made first time home buyers Bridget and Eric Billsen feel very comfortable
with the home buying process when they purchased 424 Johnson Street. About Nick and Michelle, the
Billsen’s said, “We feel blessed to have had the opportunity to work with you.”
Potts and Watts knowledge of real estate was most appreciated by first time homebuyers Robert Hoerauf
and Paulette Rossman. They received excellent service from Val and Priscilla when they purchased
1014 Lincoln.
Andy Stersic’s communication with Brad Emery was important when Brad was buying 3931 Snowden
Is That Batman?
“Found Batman on our dumpster today-think he is here to help the Michigan
economy.” ~ Lisa Bohlen
“That is funny! Question is though where is Robin? Perhaps inside!”
~Catherine Ann Newell Galan
“Good question-they were probably both dumpster diving when the accident
occurred.” ~ Lisa Bohlen
“If he was coming to save us, I am quite sure he hoped for a better and softer
landing!” ~ Scott Bohlen
“That’s not Batman, it’s Jarett, wearing his Halloween costume!” ~ Holly Koch
“Oh right...I tried to forget that night…(too many drinks).” ~ Jarett Reinmann
“I just checked...Batman left us-I think he is on his way to GM’s corporate office.” ~ Lisa Bohlen