Real estate information search and retrieval method

• US 20030130924A1
• Filed: 01/08/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Free Lance-Star Publishing Co.
• Original Assignee: Free Lance-Star Publishing Co.
• Inventors: Blevins, Willard Lewis Jr., Muldrow, Christopher Hugh, Schmidt, Allen John Sr.
• Application Number:
  US10/038,684
• Publication Number:
  US 20030130924A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/37
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange

Abstract

A method for remotely accessing a real estate listing database using a wireless phone or other wireless communication devices is provided in which a user first inputs the street number of a property which the user wishes to get information. The street number is then used to query an existing multiple listing service database. Subsequently, the user is provided with a list of street names on which properties with that particular street number are for sale. The user then selects a particular address in which the user is interested. After the selection is made, the user is provided with information pertaining to the selected property such as a description of the property for sale.

Claims

1. A method for providing real estate information to an interested party, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving a street number as a real estate information request from the interested party using a wireless communication device;

querying a database of properties for sale within a predetermined area using the street number a sole query term and automatically generating a list of street names having properties with the street number for sale within the predetermined area;

sending the list of street names to the interested party using the wireless communication device;

receiving a selected street name from the interested party using the wireless communication device; and

providing real estate information pertaining to a property for sale having the street number and selected street name to the interested party using the wireless communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of providing the interested party with an option to communicate with a listing broker associated with the property using the wireless communication device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of providing the interested party with an option to communicate with the listing broker comprises facilitating a telephone connection between the interested party and the listing broker.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of providing the interested party with an option to communicate with the listing broker comprises facilitating e-mail messaging between the interested party and the listing broker.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the real estate information is sent in a form to be visibly perceived.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the real estate information is sent in a form to be audibly perceived.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a telephone.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a handheld computer.

9. A method for retrieving real estate information by an interested party, said method comprising the steps of:

initiating a query request by an interested party via inputting a street number using a wireless communication device;

receiving a list of street names having properties with the street number for sale within the predetermined area, the listing having been generated automatically by querying a database of properties for sale within a predetermined area using the street number as a sole query term;

selecting a street name by the interested party using the wireless communication device; and

receiving real estate information pertaining to a property having the street number and selected street name through the wireless communication device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an offer to contact a listing broker associated with the property, the offer being provided to the interested party via the wireless communication device; and

communicating directly with the listing broker via the wireless communication device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the real estate information received through the wireless communication device is perceivable by the interested party in a visible form.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the real estate information received through the wireless communication device is perceivable by the interested party in an audible form.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a telephone.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless communication device comprises a handheld computer.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein said steps of initiating a query request by inputting a street number comprises inputting the street number by the interested party as a oral input.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein said steps of selecting a street name comprises inputting the street name by the interested party as an oral input.

17. An interactive method for providing real estate information, wherein:

an interested party inputs a street number using a wireless communication device to initiate a request;

an information provider receives the request, queries a database of properties for sale within a predetermined area using the street number as a sole query term, and using said wireless communication device, sends the interested party a list of street names having properties with said street number that are for sale within the predetermined area;

the interested party then selects street name and sends the selected street name to the information provider; and

the information provider, responsive to receiving the selected street name, provides the interested party with real estate information pertaining to a property for sale having the street number and selected street name.