‘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

Forty years of faith: St Andrew’s Parish in SA celebrates a remarkable journey

More than 200 people gathered on 13 June 2026 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of St Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Parish, Noarlunga.

Greek Australian soprano Angelica Zafiris shines alongside Dimitris Basis in debut

In a landmark celebration of Hellenic musical heritage, a powerful new voice has emerged on the Australian cultural landscape. 

Victoria’s Lefkadian Youth returns, determined to build a lasting legacy

Victoria’s Lefkadian Brotherhood has revived its youth sub-committee this year, and Lefkadian Youth President Calista Mitsas speaks to TGH.

People are proposing at George Ellis concerts

Conductor George Ellis thought he was signing up for a run of high-energy, emotionally charged performances of 'La La Land in Concert.'

Psillakis calls for 24/7 drone surveillance at Sydney beaches after Coogee shark attack

The brother of shark attack victim Mercury Psillakis, Mike Psillakis, has called on the Minns government to urgently deploy drones.

You May Also Like

Three burned alive in Egnatia Highway inferno after truck crash

A devastating crash on the Egnatia Highway has left three people dead and two others seriously injured after a truck ploughed into them.

Maria was once staunchly vaccine hesitant: Here is what changed her mind

Maria Geromanolis was sceptical about the vaccine, but she said she decided to do it to protect her family and the community.

Cypriot Australian Andrew Lambrou releases Cyprus’ song entry for Eurovision

Cypriot Australian Andrew Lambrou released his Eurovision 2023 entry song called 'Break A Broken Heart' on Thursday.