Why Work With a Preview Properties Agent?
Preview Properties is a full-service real estate team based in downtown Brighton, Michigan with an office in the Lansing area, helping clients buy, sell, lease, and invest in properties across Michigan. We handle residential homes, new construction, vacant land, and commercial real estate, giving clients a one-stop shop for nearly any type of transaction. With a team of experienced agents, we focus on communication, professionalism, and using modern tools to keep clients informed and confident throughout the process.
Expert Guidance
We guide sellers through pricing strategy, market timing, required disclosures, and contract negotiations—positioning your home to attract strong offers and close smoothly.
Objective Advice
You get straightforward guidance focused on protecting your equity and achieving the best possible outcome.
More Selling Power
We expose your home to the widest pool of qualified buyers through MLS distribution, Keller Williams’ agent network, major real estate websites, and targeted buyer outreach.
Strong Negotiation
We represent your interests by negotiating price, terms, and inspections to put you in the best position.
Current Market Expertise
Laws change. Markets shift. We stay current so you do not have to.
Steady, Ethical Support
Selling a home can be emotional. We stay calm, professional, and always act in your best interest.
Meet Scott Bohlen
Taking care of clients and helping them achieve their goals is what I love about real estate. After 24+ years of assisting over 1,400 clients buy or sell a home in both challenging and prosperous economic times, the lessons I have learned and experiences I have had allow me to provide the best possible advice to my clients.
My experience includes residential, vacant land, development properties, investment properties and commercial properties. I would love the opportunity to help you achieve your real estate goals.
What Sellers Can Expect When They Choose Me
- Help the seller price the home strategically
- List the home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)
- Provide professional photography and virtual tours
- Promote the home on social media
- Schedule showings with buyers’ agents
- Review all offers with the seller in detail
- Negotiate favorable terms for the seller
- Prepare and review contracts and paperwork
- Coordinate with lenders and title companies
- Keep the seller informed with feedback and updates
When You Choose Me
Experience: With years of experience in real estate, I’ve guided clients through all types of markets and situations. You can count on me to handle every step with professionalism.
Local Knowledge: I know the neighborhoods, school districts, market trends, and what makes each area unique. This local insight helps you make confident, well-informed decisions.
Availability & Commitment: I’m responsive, dependable, and here for you when it matters most. I take pride in keeping you informed throughout the entire process.
Team Support: Preview Properties, powered by Keller Williams, blends local market expertise with the strength of a world-class real estate brand. My clients benefit from proven systems, advanced technology, and a collaborative network designed to deliver results.
Clear Communication Makes the Process Easier
Selling goes more smoothly when expectations are set early and communication stays simple.
What Sellers Need to Know About Recent Industry Changes
Recent industry changes put more emphasis on transparency, concessions, and negotiable compensation.
As you've probably heard, the National Association of REALTORS® recently instituted changes to bring more transparency to the home buying and selling process. In March 2024, NAR agreed to a settlement to resolve nationwide lawsuits alleging that longstanding commission practices prevented competition and artificially inflated real-estate transaction costs.
Five key takeaways
- Buyers now sign a written agreement with an agent before touring a home.
- Buyers can negotiate the length and terms of the agent’s representation, including the services they provide and the amount or rate of their compensation.
- In Exclusive Buyer Agency Agreements, compensation must be clearly stated: the amount or rate of compensation or how the amount will be determined.
- Home sellers cannot advertise offers of compensation on a Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
- On the MLS, sellers can state they are willing to discuss concessions with the buyer, such as offering to pay the buyer’s closing costs.
Prepare to Price and Position Your Home Correctly
When you choose me as your agent, in our first meeting, I’ll ask you to walk me through your home—its history, condition, and standout features. Knowing the full picture upfront helps us avoid surprises later and puts us in a stronger position when buyers come along.
How the Right Price Gets Set
This Comparative Market Analysis will help to determine the correct selling price of your home. Ultimately, the correct selling price is the highest possible price the market will bear and depends on current market conditions.
A market analysis is divided into three categories:
- Comparable homes that are currently for sale
- Comparable homes that recently sold
- Comparable homes that failed to sell, if any
Looking at similar homes that are currently offered for sale, we can assess the alternatives that a serious buyer has to choose from. We can also be sure that we are not underpricing your home.
The aim of this market analysis is to achieve the maximum selling price for your home while being able to sell your home within a relatively short period of time.
Focus on What Buyers Notice First
- Price it right: Start with a competitive price based on recent sales. Overpricing leads to fewer showings and longer time on market. A well-priced home attracts more buyers and potential offers.
- Declutter & clean: Clear out personal items and deep clean the home. A neat, neutral space helps buyers picture themselves living there and makes your home feel move-in ready.
- Photos & showings: High-quality photos bring more online views and in-person visits. Make your home easy to show—be flexible with appointments to avoid missing serious buyers.
Preparing to List
- Painting & details: Touch up interior door paint, re-caulk baseboards and touch up paint, remove nails in the wall and patch, re-caulk showers and tubs, replace lightbulbs, replace air filters, remove personal portraits and décor, and add plants or greenery around the home.
- Exterior: Clean window wells and wash windows, sweep or pressure wash patio and deck, clean up after pets in the yard, paint the front door, add plants and a new doormat to the front porch, and pull weeds or add fresh mulch or rocks.
- Cleaning: Dust shelves and artwork, dust and clean light fixtures, wipe down vent covers and air returns, deep clean bathrooms and kitchen, clean kitchen appliances and cabinets, wash windows, wipe down walls, clean switch plates, wipe down baseboards, clean window sills and ledges, make and tidy beds, and clean carpets.
- Organize & declutter: Pantry, fridge and freezer, drawers in kitchen, bookcases, closets, storage areas, linen closet, surfaces and counters, dressers and shelves, floor space, garage, and shed.
How Your Home Gets Marketed
The right buyer might come from online traffic, local reach, or another agent’s network, which is why the plan should do all three.
Professional Photography
We hire a professional photographer to capture bright, high-quality images—and when needed, video walkthroughs, drone footage, and/or floorplans—to showcase your home in the best light online and in print. Great visuals help your listing stand out and attract more buyers.
Online Exposure
Your home will be listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and syndicated to top real estate websites like Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and Homes.com. We’ll also promote it through social media platforms to reach active buyers searching in your area.
Print & Local Marketing
In addition to digital efforts, we use proven print marketing like just listed postcards, flyers, and neighborhood letters to reach local buyers and neighbors who may know someone looking to move nearby. Sometimes a buyer is closer than you think—especially in tight-knit communities.
Agent-to-Agent Networking
Sometimes the right buyer comes from another agent’s network. Preview Properties has partnered with Keller Williams Living, giving us access to an extensive agent network to promote your property and maximize exposure and opportunity from day one.
What to Keep in Mind During Showings
When your home is listed for sale, I will schedule any showing requests. Buyers’ agents will request specific time slots, and you can approve or decline any showings based on your availability or preferences. Showings typically last 15 to 60 minutes.
- Leave for showings
- Be as flexible as possible
- Make sure everyone in the home is aware of appointments
- Wipe down surfaces and clean up daily messes
- Pick up pet toys and keep pet areas tidy
- Avoid cooking with strong spices and keep trash cans emptied
- Keep blinds and shades open for natural light
- Remove prescriptions, personal items, firearms, and valuables
- Shovel snow and salt icy surfaces during winter
Receiving Offers
There are many factors to consider when deciding which offer is best for you. It’s not just the highest priced offer.
- Cash or Finance: An all-cash offer is usually preferred over a financed offer.
- Pre-Approval: A buyer who is already pre-approved or has a mortgage commitment gives the seller more confidence.
- Loan Type: VA and FHA loans help more buyers qualify but may include property condition standards.
- Contingencies: The fewer contingencies and the shortest closing time period is usually best.
- Timeline: Some buyers may be able to close more quickly than others.
- Appraisal Gap: A strong offer will address how a buyer would handle a gap in the appraised value versus purchase price.
Budget for the Real Costs
Agent commission: The largest cost for most sellers is the real estate agent commission, typically 5% to 6% of the sale price. This amount is usually split between the listing agent and the buyer’s agent.
Moving expenses: Don’t forget to budget for moving costs. This includes hiring movers, renting a truck, buying packing supplies, and possibly storing your belongings temporarily.
Repair and improvements: Many sellers invest in repairs or cosmetic updates before listing. This could include painting, fixing leaks, or upgrading fixtures.
Mortgage payoff: If you still owe money on your mortgage, the remaining balance will be paid off at closing and subtracted from the sale proceeds.
Buyer credits: Optional, but sometimes offered after inspection to cover requested repairs or closing costs.
Typical Seller Closing Costs
- Title insurance (owner’s policy)
- Escrow or settlement fees
- Transfer taxes
- Attorney fees, if used
- HOA fees and document prep
- Property taxes owed up to the closing date
Michigan transfer taxes: Total of 0.86% of the sales price.
What Happens After You Accept an Offer
Once an offer is accepted, the process moves into inspection, appraisal, move planning, repairs, and final occupancy.
Accepted Offer
An offer can be rejected, accepted or countered. After acceptance, all parties sign documents.
Inspection Period
Any agreed upon inspections can be completed. Negotiate any repairs if needed.
Appraisal
A third party verifies that the home is worth the mortgage value and purchase price.
Schedule Your Move
Schedule your move to happen before closing day unless you have negotiated occupancy after closing. Be aware closings can be delayed due to factors outside of your control.
Repair and Clean
Complete any agreed-upon repairs and provide receipts to the buyer. Contracts generally require that the home be in broom clean condition before closing, with personal property removed.
Occupancy
When you must vacate the property and turn possession over to the new owners. This happens at closing or on a later date agreed to in the purchase contract.
Before You Leave
- Remove all furniture, décor, and personal items
- Clear out basements, garages, sheds, and outdoor areas
- Do not leave items behind unless specifically agreed to in writing
- Sweep or vacuum all floors
- Clean all surfaces
- Remove all trash and debris
- Remove leftover materials
- Leave fixtures, built-in items, appliances, and mounted items unless excluded
- Protect floors, walls, doors, and trim during move-out
- Repair any accidental damage immediately
Leave Behind for the Buyer
- All keys
- Garage door openers
- Access cards, remotes, and codes
- Appliance manuals and warranties (if available)
- Utilities on through closing and possession (if applicable)
- Gas, electric, trash, mail, cable and internet
Even After Closing, We're Still a Resource
Selling your home may end the selling process, but we hope it’s just the beginning of our relationship.
Helpful Local Contacts
Utilities and Internet
- DTE - 800-477-4747
- Consumers Energy - 800-477-5050
- Comcast - 800-934-6489
- Wow Internet - 866-496-9669
If shopping outside of this area we can provide contact information and phone numbers for your local community. We can give you a list of trash removal services and local township phone numbers.
Schools and Community Resources
- Brighton Area Schools
- Fowlerville Community Schools
- Hartland Consolidated Schools
- Howell Public Schools District
- Pinckney Community Schools
- Livingston Educational Service Agency
For a complete list of our preferred vendors please visit previewproperties.com/preferredvendors.
Don't Just Take Our Word For It
"Scott seemed to know the perfect photographer and put everything together in easy steps to ensure success. He listened to my concerns and evaluated everything with careful consideration, knowledge and professionalism. Thanks for making something that can be so hard and making it easy!"
Lori and Andrew FlesissnerSouth Lyon
"We knew right away Scott was the realtor we wanted to work with. He is a great guy, very knowledgeable and professional. He was always available to answer our questions and give his advice. He made the process of selling a home, which many times can be extremely stressful, easy and smooth."
Bill and Doris Highland1725 Clover Ridge - Howell
"My wife and I have purchased four homes and sold two with Scott. If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy working with a knowledgeable, patient, helpful, respectful real estate agent who keeps their clients’ needs front and center and who has high character as integrity, then don’t work with Scott. But if you do value those things when partnering with a real estate professional, then give him a call. He and his team that he leads at Preview Properties are simply the best!"
Josh and Ginny YurichPinckney
"Scott did a great job selling my house and was very easy to work with. He went above and beyond what was necessary which led to the house selling above asking price!! We would highly recommend him to anyone! We've now used Scott to buy a house, sell a house and buy property...all three experiences were awesome."
Dave and Katie KempeinenHowell
Let's Talk About Your Next Move
Whether you are selling a longtime family home, preparing for a move, or simply want smart guidance on timing and value, Scott Bohlen is ready to help you price well, market confidently, and move forward with clarity.
- Scott Bohlen
- Cell: (586) 709-0354
- Office: (810) 220-0000
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.previewproperties.com