Property Feed Import - Getting Started

Automated Property Feed Import

Import properties automatically from your CRM or property management software. Set everything up yourself from your Branch Management dashboard - no need to contact support.

What is a Property Feed?

A property feed is an automated way to sync your properties from your existing system (Alto, Expert Agent, Jupix, Reapit, Property Hive, and many others) to Domovita. Instead of manually entering each property, your CRM sends data to Domovita and we import it automatically.

Supported Feed Formats

• BLM (Rightmove V3): Industry-standard format used by Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket. Full 42-field coverage.
• XML: Auto-detects Vebra/Alto, Kyero, Jupix, Expert Agent, and generic Rightmove-style XML.
• CSV/TSV: Spreadsheet-style files with flexible column matching. Great for bulk uploads from Excel or Google Sheets.
• JSON: Modern JSON format for developer-built integrations.
• RTDF (Real-Time Data Feed): Send individual property updates in real time as they change in your CRM.
• EAF (Estate Agent Feeds): Third-party middleware covering 20+ CRMs including Alto, Dezrez, AgentOS, and Street. Around £20/branch/month from EAF directly.

Feed Import Methods

1. FTP / SFTP Auto-Pull (Recommended for Most Agents)

Most UK estate agent software (Alto, Expert Agent, Jupix, Reapit, Property Hive) already exports your listings to an FTP server automatically. Domovita connects to that FTP server on a schedule and pulls your files - fully hands-free once configured.

How to set it up: - Go to Branch Management (click your avatar, then "Branch Management") - Scroll to the FTP / SFTP Import section - Enter your CRM's FTP credentials (host, username, password, path) - Click "Test Connection" to verify it works - Click "Save Connection" - Domovita polls automatically during business hours (7am-6pm)

Where do I get FTP credentials? - Alto / Vebra: In Alto, go to Portal Feed Settings and add a new portal destination. Alto will provide you with FTP host, username, and password. - Expert Agent: Go to Website Feed Settings and enable FTP export for "Custom Portal". You'll get credentials like ftp.expertagent.co.uk plus a username and password. - Jupix: Contact Jupix support to enable FTP feed export for a custom portal. - Property Hive: Install the BLM Export add-on. Configure it to push to an FTP server, then enter those details in Domovita.

2. File Upload (Push via API)

Upload BLM, XML, CSV, or JSON files through our API endpoints. Your CRM pushes the files to Domovita.

• Best for: Automated scheduled uploads, CRMs that push rather than host FTP
• Requires an API key (generated from your Branch Management page)

3. Real-Time API (RTDF)

Send individual property updates via our RTDF endpoint as they change in your CRM. No batch file needed.

• Best for: Live CRM integrations, bespoke software, instant updates

4. Reapit Foundations

If you use Reapit, Domovita has a dedicated integration using Reapit's OAuth 2.0 API. We poll your Reapit account for property changes automatically, with webhook support for instant updates. Contact support to connect your Reapit account.

Getting Your API Key

You can do this yourself - no need to contact support.

1. Go to Branch Management (avatar menu or /branchmanage)
2. Scroll to the API & Feed Integrations section
3. Click "Generate API Key"
4. Your 64-character API key appears immediately
5. Click "Copy Key" to copy it to your clipboard

Your API key authenticates all feed requests for your branch. Include it in every request as an HTTP header:

X-Feed-Api-Key: your_64_character_api_key_here

Key management (admin only): - Regenerate: Creates a new key (old key stops working immediately - update your integrations) - Revoke: Disables API access entirely until you generate a new key

API Key Security

• Keep it secret: Treat your API key like a password. Never share it publicly or commit it to code repositories.
• One key per branch: All team members share the same branch API key.
• Regenerate if compromised: Use the "Regenerate Key" button in Branch Management if you suspect exposure.
• Role access: Only branch admins can generate, regenerate, or revoke keys. Managers can view the key. Negotiators cannot see it.

Feed Source Settings

When you set up an FTP connection or use the API, Domovita creates a feed source for your branch with these settings:

• Name: Auto-generated from your branch name and connection type
• Feed Type: The format (BLM, XML, CSV, JSON, FTP, SFTP, etc.)
• API Key: Your unique authentication token
• Auto-Publish: Properties go live immediately (default for verified agents)
• Branch ID: Ensures imported properties are tagged to your branch

Import Process Overview

1. Your CRM exports data - either to FTP (we pull) or via API (you push)
2. Domovita parses the file - auto-detects format, extracts property data
3. Validation - required fields checked (price, postcode, property type)
4. Images downloaded - from URLs in the feed data, stored on our CDN
5. Properties created or updated - matched by your unique reference (agent_ref)
6. Results logged - import counts (created, updated, skipped, errors) saved in your feed log

Update vs Create Logic

• Each property has an agent_ref (your internal reference number)
• If that agent_ref already exists for your feed source: UPDATE the existing listing
• If it's new: CREATE a new listing
• This prevents duplicates and keeps Domovita perfectly in sync with your CRM

Full Replacement Mode

When you send a batch feed (BLM, XML, CSV, JSON), Domovita treats it as your complete, current portfolio by default. Any property in Domovita that's missing from the new feed gets automatically unpublished. This keeps your listings perfectly in sync - when you mark a property as sold in your CRM, it disappears from Domovita on the next import.

You can disable this with ?full_replacement=0 on the upload endpoint if you prefer additive-only imports.

Handling Images

• BLM files: Include an image ZIP bundle in the same upload request
• XML/JSON/RTDF: Provide image URLs in the data - we download and store them automatically
• Supported formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, WEBP
• Storage: All images stored on Cloudflare R2 CDN for fast delivery

Supported CRM Systems

Domovita accepts feeds from virtually any UK estate agent CRM:

Quick Start Checklist

1. Register and get approved as an estate agent on Domovita
2. Go to Branch Management
3. Generate your API key
4. If your CRM exports to FTP: Enter FTP details, test connection, save
5. If your CRM pushes files: Give your IT team the API key and endpoint URLs shown on the page
6. If you want to test first: Upload a small sample file (5-10 properties) via the API
7. Check your feed log and live listings to verify everything imported correctly

Need Help?

• Self-service guides: Click "Getting Started" and "Full Reference" links on your Branch Management page
• Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - include your branch name and any error messages
• Sample files: Send us a sample export from your CRM and we can advise on the best method