Monday Profile: Scott Broshar

Michigan Law School alumnus Scott Broshar is co-owner of Absolute Title in Ann Arbor. The Iowa native holds undergraduate degrees in economics and political science from the University of Northern Iowa. While at Michigan Law, he took on a part-time job as a title examiner. After graduating in 1980, he went into private practice in Minnesota for four years before deciding to get back into the title side of real estate in Iowa. When an opportunity came up to move back to Ann Arbor in 1986 and work in title insurance again, he jumped at the chance. Seven years later, he opened Absolute Title. Broshar has served on numerous local boards and committees, including the Chelsea School Board and Ann Arbor Area Board of Realtors. He and his wife Wendy have two grown daughters, Sarah, a film editor in L.A., and Christine, who telecommutes for an Ann Arbor accounting firm from her home in Portland. Residence: Chelsea What is your idea of perfect happiness? Spending time with my family all together. It doesn't hurt if that time happens to be on a warm beach, a sailboat, or the mountains. What is your greatest fear? I don't want my knees to give out and keep me from doing all the athletic things that I love to do. Which living person do you most admire? I've learned a lot from so many, but it really has to be my father, Robert Broshar. He instilled my beliefs in participating in the greater community, being involved, and valuing and respecting others. What is the trait you hate most in yourself? Procrastination--I'm going to work on that soon, or at least when I can get to it. What is the trait you hate most in others? I think they're related, but I would say self-importance and the need to make problems seem big so that you are a hero for solving them. If you suddenly had an extra room in your house, what would you do with it? Probably fill it with "stuff" but if I could avoid that it would probably be a small yoga studio/workout room. How have you found time for so much civic involvement? It takes some extra commitment, but if it's worth doing, you can always figure out a way to make it work. If you could take back one thing you did...There are certainly a few times that I've spoken without thinking, but in general I hope I've learned from all that I've done and I wouldn't be the same person if I were to go back and redo any of it. If you could do one thing professionally... Retire??? I like what I do and don't have major aspirations to do anything different. What are your favorite websites? I don't know that I've found any that I can't live without, but the ones I visit most often are probably Facebook, Yogaglo, Endomondo, Coppercolorado, and several kiteboarding sites. It's 7 a.m. Monday. How are you feeling? Done with my run and yoga, drinking a cappucino and ready to get to work. Introvert or extrovert? Introvert. What would you say to your 16-year-old self? It wouldn't matter --my 16-year-old self wouldn't listen to an old guy like me. What's the oddest thing you ever bought? A 50-year-old pair of downhill skis and boots. If I had ever tried to use them I'm pretty sure I would have ended up with a couple of broken legs. What would be your ideal job? I'd like to be co-owner of a title company, perhaps Absolute Title--I'm doing it. What one thing do you wish people knew about your work? It's actually fun working with good people who care about what they do and care about each other. What one habit do you wish you could break? Not being able to sleep through the night. What do you wish more people understood? Keeping calm and staying nice is the best way to accomplish things. Who is your favorite character of fiction? Frodo. Favorite words: The wind is blowing and the water's warm. Favorite movie: It always used to be "The Big Chill," but now it's whatever Sarah has worked on most recently. (Happens to be "Lincoln" right now). Favorite place to spend money: I'm not much of a fan of spending money, but when I do it's usually for sports equipment (my "toys"). What is your motto? It will be all right in the end. If it's not all right, it's not the end. Where would you like to be when you're 90? Either active and on the go, or not 90. Published: Thu, Jan 24, 2013