‘I’ve never seen something like that’: Auctioneer Tom Panos shares his real estate horror story

·

No real estate auctioneer ever imagines to be the subject of intimidation from a bikie gang or a knife attack, but desperate times have called for desperate measures for those wishing to buy a property in Sydney’s red-hot market. 

As the housing market heats up, prices go through the roof, and buyer competition becomes tougher than ever, auctioneers like Tom Panos have accepted to expect the unexpected.  

Mr. Panos tells the Daily Telegraph he had the most bizarre of his real estate nightmares come true. 

“I was auctioning this Newtown home and had been talking it up on TV and during the auction, saying what a great place it was etc and the vendor was obviously paying a lot of attention,” Mr Panos says. 

“After the home was sold under the hammer we went inside and the vendor said: ‘I’ve been listening to everything you have said and you’re right, this is paradise. I’ve decided I want to stay so I’m not selling’”.

Mr Panos put his foot down and grappled with the former owner over the fact that he had sold their house. 

“He was OK the next day but he definitely had cold feet,” he says. 

“I’ve never seen something like that before or since,” Mr Panos said.

Tom Panos has 35 years of experience in the industry and this certainly wasn’t the first or last time he’s witnessed the worst in home buyers. 

The live stream of his $1.425m sale of a home in Belfield, in southwest Sydney, was flooded by dozens of ‘racist’ comments among the two-to-three million who tuned in in April.  

Source: The Daily Telegraph 

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Latest News

Chasing an Aussie childhood memory all the way to a Suzi Quatro concert in Poland

I've been living in Greece for a long time now and being so far away from Australia, the country I was born and grew up in, sometimes gets to me.

Melbourne musicians to honour Achilles Yiangoulli in special tribute concert

A powerful evening of music and remembrance will take place at TheBrunswick Ballroom in Brunswick, on Thursday.

Greek olive oil in 2026: Hope and concern at the Food Expo

At the Food Expo in Athens, conversations about Greek olive oil in 2026 reflected both optimism and unease.

Fronditha Care honoured with international recognition

Fronditha Care has been celebrated as a finalist at the 14th Asia Pacific Eldercare Innovation Awards (2026).

HMSA and PRONIA collaborate on educational event ‘Understanding Back Pain’

This event will help to unpack the causes, when to seek help, pathways for diagnosis and options for the management of back pain.

You May Also Like

Greek culture takes centre stage at Melbourne Victory’s Multicultural Round

Melbourne Victory’s annual U-NITE Multicultural Round opened with Greek dancing by MANASIS School of Greek Dance and Culture.

Three Greek Australians named on Junior Matildas squad for upcoming training camp

CommBank Junior Matildas Head Coach Michael Cooper has selected a 30-player squad for a domestic training camp to be held in Canberra.

St Euphemia College student recognised with Minister’s Award for excellence in Serbian

Strahinja Trazivuk from St Euphemia College has been recognised with a Minister’s Award for Excellence in Student Achievement in Serbian.