Why We Built a Fairer System
When a homeowner asks for a valuation, their details are shared with agents - but who gets chosen, and why? We wanted the answer to be simple, open and fair to every agent, whatever their budget.
We built Domovita's valuation panel to fix that. Our system uses weighted random allocation - a transparent, fair method that ensures every agent on the panel gets their share of leads over time, regardless of how much they spend.
How It Works
- A homeowner uses our free valuation tool. They enter their postcode, property type, and number of bedrooms. Our system calculates an instant estimate from HM Land Registry sold prices, restated in today's money with the UK House Price Index.
- They request agent valuations. After seeing their estimate, the homeowner can request a proper, in-person valuation from local agents. They fill in their name and email address, and a phone number if they choose to give one.
- We read the request, then select up to 3 agents from our panel. A person at Domovita reads each request before any agent sees it, and not every request is passed on - for example, where the homeowner tells us they are only curious about the figure. For those that are passed on, our system finds all active panel agents who cover that postcode area. If there are 3 or fewer, they all receive the lead. If there are more than 3, our weighted random algorithm selects 3.
- Each selected agent receives the homeowner's contact details by email. Name, email address, a phone number where the homeowner gave one, property type, bedrooms, and our online estimate range - what you need to get in touch and arrange a market appraisal.
- You contact the homeowner directly. Once a lead reaches you there's no platform in the middle and no having to respond through our system first. The lead is yours to work.
The Weighted Random Algorithm
Here's exactly how our allocation works:
- Every agent on the panel has a lead counter - a running total of how many leads they've received.
- When a new lead comes in, agents who have received fewer leads are given a higher weighting in the random selection.
- An agent with zero leads will always have a higher chance of being selected than one who's already received several.
- Over time, this evens out each agent's share of the leads in the areas they cover. It is a share, not a number: how many leads there are depends on how many homeowners in your area ask for a valuation. Lead volumes are low at present, and many panel members have not yet received one.
Think of it like a weighted lottery. If you've been unlucky in recent draws, your chances increase. If you've had a good run, your weighting drops slightly so others can catch up. The result is a system that's genuinely fair over weeks and months.
Why Not Pure Round-Robin?
A strict rotation (Agent A, then B, then C, then A again) sounds fair but creates problems. If Agent A is on holiday when a lead comes in, they miss their turn permanently. Our weighted random approach is more resilient - it self-corrects and doesn't penalise anyone for timing.
At a Glance
| Feature | On Domovita |
|---|---|
| Agents per lead | Up to 3 |
| How agents are selected | Transparent weighted random |
| Cost to agents | Free for agents |
| Contact details | Full details sent directly |
| Commission or referral fee | None - 0% |
| Can small independents compete? | Yes - same odds as everyone |
Only 3 Agents Per Lead
We deliberately limit it to 3 agents per valuation lead. Here's why:
- Better for homeowners: 6 agents calling you is overwhelming. 3 is manageable - you can compare opinions without feeling hounded.
- Better for agents: You're competing with 2 others, not 5. That's much better odds of winning the instruction.
- Better conversion rates: Fewer agents means each one gets more attention from the homeowner, leading to better conversations and higher conversion.
No Commission, No Referral Fee
When you win an instruction through a Domovita valuation lead, the fee is 100% yours. We don't take a cut, we don't charge a referral fee, and we don't ask for a percentage of the sale price. The lead is free. The instruction is yours.
How to Join
Joining the Domovita Valuation Panel is free and takes about 2 minutes. You'll need:
- Your name and contact details
- Your company/branch name
- Your branch postcode
- The postcode prefixes you cover (e.g. BL1, BL2, BL3, M26)
- Your redress scheme - The Property Ombudsman or the Property Redress Scheme, or tell us you are still applying
Once you register, a person reviews your application before you join the panel. Once approved, you are eligible for valuation leads from homeowners in the postcode districts you cover - we cannot promise how many, or how soon. There's no minimum term or tie-in. You can update your coverage at any time, and we will pause your place on the panel if you ask.
Questions?
If you have questions about how the panel works or want to discuss it before signing up, get in touch at