Tom Panos: The "Speed Camera" Economy is Coming

The industry legend warns that the days of hiding are over - and why your 2026 success depends on visibility, transparency, and starting before everyone else.

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Elite Agent Editor
January 10, 2026

THOUGHT LEADERS
REAL ESTATE REIMAGINED

This week: Samantha McLean sits down with Tom Panos, trainer, auctioneer, and the man behind the Real Estate Gym. With over 20,000 agents coached and a Saturday auction schedule that never stops, Tom has a front-row seat to what separates the agents who thrive from those who don't.

Welcome to 2026 – we hope it's a brilliant one for you and the industry!

Are you back at work yet? While there are some of us who may feel like we never left, there'll be some agents who drift back into the office between now and Australia Day, post-tennis, wondering where their first listing is coming from.

Tom Panos thinks that's the biggest mistake you can make.

The window between January 15 and February 1? That's when magic can happen. Motivated buyers are hunting. Stock is thin. And if you're visible while your competitors are still on holiday, you're not just winning listings – you're setting the tone for your entire year.

But here's what was really cool about recording this episode with Tom.

When I asked him what he'd do if he were 22, starting fresh with nothing but a laptop and ChatGPT, his answer was immediate: "AI would be my first employee – and the one that would never leave."

Why hit play (30< min):

  • The January window: Why listing between Jan 15–Feb 1 could get your vendor a higher price than waiting until March – and why it's your best shot at momentum

  • The underquoting reality: Tom's take on what's really driving the debate, and why "spray and pray" marketing might be costing you more than you think

  • AI as your first hire: The exact prompt Tom would use on day one as a new agent to get 20 ideas for winning against established competitors

  • Video is the new SEO: Gemini now reads what's inside your videos – and what that means for agents who've been putting off content creation.

Plus, much more.
– Samantha McLean

Listen/Watch now:

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