In the competitive Southlake, TX real estate market, the traditional approach of prospecting through cold calls and mailers is becoming obsolete. Buyers and sellers now conduct their own research before ever contacting an agent, making a strong media presence a critical component for success in 2026. Justin Nimergood, leader of the Top Gun Team at Epique Realty, has made building a media presence a requirement for his agents, recognizing that consumers are no longer waiting to be found—they are actively seeking out agents who provide valuable, authentic content.
Nimergood has witnessed the power of this approach firsthand. His own growing social media presence recently led to an inbound message from a former college roommate who is now in the process of joining Top Gun Team. This wasn't a paid lead or a cold call result; it was the organic outcome of a prospect seeing consistent, genuine content and choosing to reach out on their own terms. This illustrates a fundamental shift: the new real estate consumer is well-educated and well-informed, and they want to find you, not be sold to.
Contrary to common misconceptions, building a media presence does not require viral TikTok dances or a professional film crew. Nimergood emphasizes that the bar is much simpler: be consistent and be an educator. An agent who regularly shares useful, local information—such as market trends or common buyer mistakes—builds more trust than one who attempts a flashy viral stunt and disappears. This approach is also sustainable long-term, as a short, informative video takes far less effort than a heavily produced piece of content.
A media presence serves dual purposes for a team leader like Nimergood. On the client side, prospects who have followed an agent's content before meeting them arrive already comfortable, having seen the agent's philosophy and answers to common questions. This comfort shortens the sales cycle and reduces time spent establishing credibility. On the recruiting side, the same content reaches agents evaluating whether to join a team. A recruit who watches a team leader consistently add value on camera gains a clearer picture of the leadership style than they would from a slide deck or brochure.
The most common objection to building a media presence is time. To address this, Top Gun Team has developed a "Podcast in a Box" program that handles production, editing, and publishing, allowing agents to simply show up and talk about what they already know. This support structure enables agents to build their media presence without adding to their already busy schedules. Agents interested in learning more about this approach and the team's recruiting philosophy can visit the team's About page.
In 2026, a media presence is no longer a luxury for agents who want to compete in Southlake and the broader Dallas-Fort Worth area. It has become one of the clearest ways to be found by the buyers, sellers, and future teammates who are already searching. By consistently providing value, agents can position themselves as trusted advisors in a market where informed consumers are in control.
