Optimizing Schedule and Itinerary for Open Houses

• US 20070168211A1
• Filed: 01/17/2007
• Published: 07/19/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advertising Resource Network Enterprises, LLC
• Original Assignee: Advertising Resource Network Enterprises, LLC
• Inventors: Arnebeck, Kristopher John
• Granted Patent: US 8,103,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/9
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate

Abstract

A computer system for scheduling open houses can include an activity analysis module programmed to analyze one or more characteristics or factors associated with one or more properties that are located within an activity zone. The computer system can also include a schedule optimization module programmed to suggest an optimum time for a seller to schedule an open house on a particular date, and the schedule optimization module being programmed to suggest an open house itinerary for a buyer. The computer system can also include an activity alert module programmed to monitor the computer system and to notify the buyer or the seller of new activities in the computer system.

Claims

1. A computer system for scheduling open houses, the computer system comprising:

an activity analysis module programmed to analyze one or more characteristics or factors associated with one or more properties that are located within an activity zone;

a schedule optimization module programmed to suggest an optimum time for a seller to schedule an open house on a particular date, and the schedule optimization module being programmed to suggest an open house itinerary for a buyer; and

2. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising an activity alert module programmed to monitor the computer system and to notify the buyer or the seller of new activities in the computer system.

3. The computer system of claim 2, wherein the activity alert module is further programmed to alert the seller of new seller or new buyer activities within the activity zone, and the activity alert module is programmed to alert the buyer of new seller activity within the activity zone.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the activity zone is a specific geographic area that includes all properties currently for sale within a specific radius of a center property.

5. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the activity analysis module calculates a similarity rating that quantifies a similarity of an activity zone property to a center property.

6. The computer system of claim 5, wherein the similarity rating is calculated using one or more scale factors selected from the group consisting of number of bedrooms, number of full-bathrooms, number of half-bathrooms, property type, number of square feet, year built, price, and distance from the center property.

7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the activity analysis module is further programmed to calculate an activity index that quantifies seller and buyer open house activity within the activity zone for a given day.

8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the schedule optimization module is further programmed to provide driving distances, times, and directions for the open house itinerary for the buyer.

9. A computer method for scheduling open houses, the method comprising:

analyzing one or more characteristics or factors associated with one or more properties that are located within an activity zone;

suggesting an optimum time for a seller to schedule an open house on a particular date; and

suggesting an open house itinerary for a buyer.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising notifying the buyer or the seller of new activities within the activity zone.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein notifying the buyer or the seller of the new activities further comprises:

alerting the seller of new seller or new buyer activities within the activity zone; and

alerting the buyer of new seller activity within the activity zone.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising defining the activity zone as a specific geographic area that includes all properties currently for sale within a specific radius of a center property.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising calculating a similarity rating that quantifies a similarity of an activity zone property to a center property.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein calculating the similarity rating further includes using one or more scale factors selected from the group consisting of number of bedrooms, number of full-bathrooms, number of half-bathrooms, property type, number of square feet, year built, price, and distance from the center property.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising calculating an activity index that quantifies seller and buyer open house activity within the activity zone for a given day.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing driving distances, times, and directions for the open house itinerary for the buyer.

17. A graphical user interface for a computer system programmed to schedule open houses, the graphical user interface being stored in memory of the computer system, the graphical user interface comprising:

a calendar window displaying a plurality of days and at least one activity index for one of the plurality of days, the activity index quantifying open house activity within a geographic region for a given day;

a map window displaying a map of the geographic area; and

a house window displaying information about real estate in the geographic area.

18. The graphical user interface of claim 17, wherein the calendar window further comprises an activity zone indicator shown on the map.

19. The graphical user interface of claim 17, further comprising an activity meter window displaying an amount of buyer or seller activity in the geographic area.

20. The graphical user interface of claim 17, further comprising a price comparison window displaying a magnitude of a specific characteristic for the real estate in the geographic area.