Tod Von Brinegar is the vice president with PalmerHouse Properties in Atlanta
What was your first job in the realty industry? Mortgage processor, Realtor
Where did you grow up? Roswell and Berkeley, Lake Georgia (born in Texas, but moved to Georgia at six years old)
Growing up, what did you want to be? A veterinarian; I have always loved animals.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Scan through real estate listings on various apps, go to the gym, play tennis and watch Velocity (car shows) at least in the background.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Most of the people I admire are within my sphere, both personal and business. I am afraid my celebrity answer would sound cliché. That said, the one person that I would love to see again if only for a moment is my stepmother (Mom) Bonnie Brinegar, who we lost to breast cancer two years ago. What a beautiful, loving and happy person.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? Believe it or not, my office. The friends and extended family relationships with our staff and agents has become as, if not more, rewarding than many forged outside the office.
What do you love most about the industry? The fact that it is ever changing, and there is always something to learn or an opportunity to adapt. Of course, helping an agent and/or client realize their goals is most rewarding to me.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? Along with our leadership team, I manage 1,200-plus of the best agents throughout Georgia. When I do work for a client, it is because they have specifically requested that I work with them directly. When possible, I team with one of our agents who specializes in the appropriate area.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Balancing time between my personal life and my career. My father always told me that if you find a job you love, it does not feel like you are going to work. You might say my domestic aptitude is lacking.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I have lived in Georgia since 1979, so I do not have to go far. The most efficient way for me to keep in touch is through Internet-based social networking.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? That’s easy – becoming the Qualifying Broker of PalmerHouse Properties in 2010.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? I cannot tell you the last time that I went to a movie, but when I did, it would have been with one of my best friends and movie buff who owns a major video company in town (Mathew Lopes of DVI Group). Due to my inability to sit still, it is extremely rare for me to read an actual paper book.
What is your favorite restaurant? For some reason, my favorite restaurants seem to close. I can say that just about any of the Buckhead Life restaurants make the list and when in doubt, just about any Mexican restaurant will do. Nothing better than chicken, brats or a good steak and vegetables on the grill, though.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Atlanta? Oh, that is not a fair question. We have so many cutting edge buildings. Our president, Tom Ellicott, owns and sells at The Ritz Residences, which are amazing. Midcity Lofts has always been a favorite of mine, but architecturally speaking, a 1960’s modern ranch cannot be beat in my opinion.
What kind of car do you drive? This year? My daily driver is a Jeep Liberty with 200,000-plus miles on it, and I have a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited that stays in the garage. I can almost promise that this answer will be different in a year. Like houses, I find beauty in all cars.
Smartphone or paper? 99.9 percent iPhone, if at all possible. Sometimes paper cannot be avoided.
What is your favorite city after Atlanta? What? There are cities outside of Atlanta? If I have to name one it might be New York in the early spring. If I get to name two, I had a second home in Tampa, and have immediate family there. It is a great place visit when you need a slower pace and water views.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Tell “everyone” you work in real estate.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? PalmerHouse Properties of course, but realtor.com takes a close second.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Honestly, I have an account that was created when Twitter first came out, but I have yet to use it. This is the perfect opportunity to start. Consider Atlanta Agent magazine followed!
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