Author: Jessica Peckett

When the market has slowed down, winning an instruction can be half the battle. Keeping that listing and delivering results is where the real challenge begins.

One of the biggest threats to agents today is touting—when rival agencies attempt to poach your listings by undermining your efforts or luring vendors away with unrealistic promises. 

 
So, how can you protect your hard-earned instructions and maintain your pipeline? Here are practical steps every estate agent can take to reduce the risk of touting and keep their clients engaged and loyal. 

1. Understand Why Touting Happens 

Before you can tackle the problem, it’s important to know why touting is so common. In hot or slow markets, the pressure to win new listings can push agents to cut corners or overpromise. Vendors, especially those who feel neglected or uninformed, may be easily tempted by flashy promises or reduced fees from competitors. 

The key takeaway? If you’re not actively nurturing your relationship with a seller, someone else might be

Tip: if your listing has been on the market for 6 weeks, update the main image with a dusk shot and let your vendor know you’re actively prioritising their property. 

2. Build Strong Vendor Relationships 

At the heart of any long-lasting instruction is trust. Make sure your sellers feel valued and in the loop. That means: 

• Regular communication: Don’t wait for them to ask for updates—be proactive. 
• Set expectations: Explain timelines, marketing efforts, and next steps from day one. 
• Be transparent: If there’s a slowdown in interest, say so. If you’re adjusting strategy, explain why. 

When vendors feel informed and reassured, they’re much less likely to be swayed by outside interference. 

3. Showcase Your Value at Every Stage 

You might be working hard behind the scenes—but if your client doesn’t see it, it may not count in their eyes. That’s why it’s essential to: 

• Present listings professionally with high-quality photos, floorplans, and descriptions – PropertyBox can certainly help you here! 
• Highlight your marketing efforts across portals, email campaigns, social media, and more. 
• Demonstrate results: frequently update your clients by sharing viewings booked, feedback from buyers, and market insights. 

Visibility is a powerful antidote to doubt. 

Tip: create a social media campaign and share this with your vendor. You can do this before the property is live with a “coming soon” campaign, when it goes live with a “now available” campaign or after it’s been live for a while with a “price reduction” campaign.

4. Use Technology to Stay One Step Ahead 

Smart tools can make a big difference in how you protect and promote your listings. For example: 

• Use your CRM to schedule timely follow-ups and track communication history.
• Platforms like PropertyBox can enhance your property marketing, making it faster and easier to produce professional assets that stand out – try it for free today!  
• Automate vendor updates to show them exactly what’s being done to market their property. 

5. Monitor and React to Touting Tactics 

Keep an ear to the ground. If a vendor tells you they’ve been approached by another agent, don’t panic. Stay calm, and: 

• Reassure them by restating the work you’ve done and your current strategy.
• Share performance data—views, click-throughs, enquiries—to show tangible progress.  
• Be honest if things need adjusting. Acknowledging and improving is far more powerful than being defensive. 

Showing composure under pressure builds confidence. 

6. Protect Your Reputation 

Touting can be aggressive and unprofessional. You don’t need to stoop to that level to win. What you should do instead: 

• Continue to deliver excellent service. 
• Ask happy clients for reviews to build social proof. 
• Maintain a consistent and recognisable brand presence in your local area and online 

Tip: make sure all of your listings look great and highlight your brand by having great looking property photos with your logo consistently visible in the corner.  

When sellers see you as the professional, trustworthy choice, they’re less likely to entertain other offers. 

7. Educate Your Clients 

Sellers don’t always understand what’s involved in marketing a property. They may assume switching agents is a quick fix. 

It’s your job to explain: 

• The investment of time, money, and resources that’s already gone into the listing.
• The potential delays or confusion that can come with switching agents.  
• How your current marketing strategy is designed to get them the best result—not just the fastest. 

When clients feel informed, they make better decisions—and are more likely to stick with you. 

Final Thoughts

Touting isn’t going away, but it doesn’t have to be a threat to your business. The best defence is a strong vendor relationship, visible value, and consistent communication. 

By putting the right processes and tools in place (like PropertyBox), you can stay one step ahead—and ensure your listings stay exactly where they belong: with you. 

Want to protect your instructions with better property marketing? Discover how PropertyBox can help you deliver standout listings, faster. 

Jessica Peckett

A data-driven creative, Jessica is a passionate marketer experienced in bringing brands to life on the global stage. With a focus on fostering exceptional customer and employee experiences, she is committed to excite,  engage and empower both in a positive and productive manner. Ultimately, Jessica cares about using marketing and technology to see PropertyBox build long-lasting relationships with customers and employee alike, so that they see real value add from both a professional and personal perspective.