Method and System for Providing Real Estate Information Using a Computer Network, Such as the Internet

• US 20080097767A1
• Filed: 11/28/2000
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Client Insight Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Home Mart Inc.
• Inventors: Andrews, Pete, Milman, Robert, Milman, Joan
• Granted Patent: US 7,454,355 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/061 calculating scales for indicating relationship between quantity and time indicating or recording of quantity-time ratios G01D; meters for measuring average speed, measuring speed by chronograph G01P; slide rules and calculating wheels G06G
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/025 for measuring physiological data
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 21/04 using radio waves radio-controlled time-pieces G04R
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and systems for providing real-estate information using a computer network, such as the Internet. A buyer information web page showing relevant buyer list information in an easy-to-read, summary format is created and displayed to a real estate agent. Buyer information provided includes summaries of various aspects of information needed by a real estate agent to effectively represent and assist a buyer. Examples of information provided include a potential buyer name, a new activity summary summarizing newly-listed properties and other activity meeting the buyer'"'"'s profile, a new views summary summarizing any views of detailed property information by the buyer using an online property data search and information system provided by the agent, and a new tags summary summarizing any properties that the buyer or the agent finds of particular interest. Moreover, a comparative market analysis (CMA) list web page showing relevant CMA information in an easy-to-read, summary format is also created and displayed to the real estate agent.

Claims

1-46. -46. (canceled)

47. A computer-implemented method of providing client-accessed real estate information to a real estate professional associated with the client, the method comprising:

connecting to a database of real estate information;

providing the professional with access to the real estate information;

storing an account for the client, the account being authorized by the professional;

providing the client with access to the account;

providing the client, when accessing the account, with access to the real estate information;

monitoring actions of the client while the client is accessing the account;

generating and storing client-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the client; and

providing at least some of the client-accessed real estate information to the professional, thereby providing the professional with knowledge of the actions of the client when the client accesses the account.

48. The method of claim 47 further comprising sending a notification to the professional whenever a preselected type of client-accessed real estate information is generated.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein sending is by e-mail over the Internet.

50. The method claim of 47 wherein the account is accessible through the Internet by the client.

51. The method of claim 47 wherein the account is accessible through the Internet by both the client and the professional.

52. The method of claim 51 wherein the monitored actions of the client include the login of the client and wherein the client-accessed information reviewable by the professional includes the date and time of the client'"'"'s login.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the client is a buyer.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein the monitored actions of the buyer include the buyer'"'"'s viewing of properties through the account and wherein the client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes the identification of properties viewed by the buyer.

55. The method of claim 53 wherein the monitored actions of the buyer include the buyer'"'"'s tagging of selected properties and wherein the client-accessed information reviewable by the professional includes the identification of the properties tagged by the buyer.

56. The method of claim 47 further comprising generating professional-accessed real estate information in response to actions of the professional as the professional reviews real estate information.

57. The method of claim 56 further comprising enabling the client, when accessing the account, to review the professional-accessed real estate information.

58. The method of claim 57 further comprising enabling both the professional and the client to simultaneously review real estate information, including real estate information accessed by the other.

59. The method of claim 47 wherein the database of real estate information is a multiple listing database of properties in a geographical area.

60. The method of claim 56 wherein the client is a buyer and further comprising generating a buyer list of potential properties and their characteristics in response to a request by the professional and wherein the professional-accessed information reviewable by the buyer includes the buyer list.

61. The method of claim 60 wherein the buyer list is generated based upon buyer criteria entered by the professional.

62. The method of claim 61 further comprising automatically updating the buyer list by comparing the buyer criteria with the properties in the database of real estate information, in response to an action of the professional or client.

63. The method of claim 62 further comprising enabling the professional or buyer to identify any new properties found in the comparing process.

64. The method of claim 62 further comprising enabling the professional or buyer to identify any properties having changed characteristics found in the comparing process.

65. The method of claim 60 wherein the characteristics of the properties on the buyer list include the identity, location, size, and listed price of each of the respective properties.

66. The method of claim 65 further comprising determining whether the buyer tagged one or more properties since the last view date of the buyer list by the professional and, if so, updating the buyer list based on the determining step to identify tagging and timing;

and enabling the professional to review the updated buyer list.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising determining whether the buyer viewed one or more properties since the last view date of the buyer list by the professional, and, if so, updating the list based on the determining step to identifying new viewing and timing;

and enabling the professional to review the updated buyer list.

68. The method of claim 57 wherein the actions of the professional include tagging properties to thereby identify such tagged properties as potential favorites for the client and wherein the professional-accessed information reviewable by the client includes the identification of properties tagged by the professional.

69. The method of claim 57 wherein the actions of the professional include entering a message to be considered by the client, and wherein the professional-accessed information reviewable by the client includes the message.

70. The method of claim 57 wherein the professional-accessed real estate information includes a listing of properties that meet client criteria.

71. The method of claim 47 further comprising enabling the client to access the database of real estate information, initiate an independent search of the database according to criteria selected by the client, and review the resultant search results.

72. The method of claim 71 further comprising monitoring the client'"'"'s actions to initiate and review an independent search and storing at least portions of the results of the independent search as the client-accessed real estate information.

73. The method of claim 72 wherein the client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes the stored results of the client'"'"'s independent search.

74. The method of claim 47 further comprising generating a listing of comparable properties for a particular property of interest to the client and enabling the client to review the comparable listing.

75. The method of claim 57 wherein the client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes the number and identification of properties viewed by the client since the last time the professional accessed this client-accessed real estate information.

76. The method of claim 75 wherein the client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes the last time the client accessed the account.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein the client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes the number and identity of properties tagged by the client as favorite properties, since the last time the professional accessed this client-accessed real estate information.

78. The method of claim 77 further comprising generating a comparable listing of properties for review by the professional or the client.

79. The method of claim 57 further comprising enabling one or more users to enter appointments, compiling the appointments, and enabling the professional or the client to review appointments.

80. The method of claim 57 wherein the client is a seller.

81. The method of claim 80 further comprising enabling one or more users to enter information relating to showing of the seller'"'"'s property and compiling data relating to the showing of a seller'"'"'s property and enabling the professional and the seller to review the compilation.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein the compilation of data includes the dates the property was shown, the identity of the showing professional, and any comments of the showing professional.

83. The method of claim 47 further comprising generating an area sales report identifying sales in an area associated with a specific property and enabling the professional and the client to review the area sales report.

84. The method of claim 47 further comprising generating a loan report for a specific property describing potential financing and enabling the professional and the client to review the loan report.

85. The method of claim 47 further comprising enabling the professional or the client to enter tasks, compiling the tasks, and enabling the professional or the client to review the tasks.

86. A computer-implemented method of providing client-accessed real estate information to a real estate professional associated with a first client and a second client, and for providing professional-accessed real estate information to the first client and the second client, the method comprising:

connecting to a database of real estate information;

providing the professional agent with access to the real estate information;

storing a first account for the first client and a second account for the second client, the first account and the second account being authorized by the professional;

providing the first client with access to the first account and providing the second client with access to the second account;

providing the first client, when accessing the first account, with access to the real estate information;

providing the second client, when accessing the second account, with access to the real estate information;

monitoring actions of the professional while the professional is accessing the real estate information;

monitoring actions of the first client while accessing the first account;

monitoring actions of the second client while accessing the second account;

generating and storing professional-accessed real estate information for the first client and the second client in response to the actions of the professional as the professional reviews the real estate information;

generating and storing first client-accessed real estate information real estate information in response to the actions of the first client;

generating and storing second client-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the second client;

providing at least some of the first client-accessed real estate information and at least some of the second client-accessed real estate information to the professional, thereby providing the professional with knowledge of the actions of the first client and the actions of the second client; and

providing at least some of the professional-accessed real estate information to the first client and the second client, thereby providing the first client and the second client with knowledge of the actions of the real estate professional.

87. The method of claim 86 further comprising sending a notification to the professional whenever a preselected type of client-accessed real estate information is generated.

88. The method of claim 86 wherein the actions of the first client include a login of the first client and wherein the first client-accessed information reviewable by the professional includes dates and times of the login.

89. The method of claim 86 wherein the monitored actions of the first client include viewing of properties, and wherein the first client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes identification of properties viewed by the first client and an earliest new date of the first client'"'"'s viewing not previously reviewed by the professional.

90. The method of claim 86 wherein the monitored actions of the first client include tagging of selected properties and wherein the first client-accessed information reviewable by the professional includes for each tagging, an identification of properties tagged and an earliest date of the tagging not previously reviewed by the professional.

91. The method of claim 86 further comprising enabling both the professional and the first client to simultaneously review real estate information, including real estate information accessed by the other.

92. The method of claim 86 wherein the database of real estate information is a multiple listing database of properties in a geographical area.

93. The method of claim 86 wherein the first client is a buyer, and further comprising generating a buyer list of potential properties and property characteristics in response to a request by the professional and wherein the professional-accessed real estate information reviewable by the buyer includes the buyer list.

94. The method of claim 93 further comprising automatically updating the buyer list by comparing buyer criteria for the buyer with the properties in the database of real estate information, in response to an action of the professional or the buyer.

95. The method of claim 94 further comprising enabling the professional or the buyer to identify any new properties found for the buyer list in the comparing process.

96. The method of claim 95 further comprising enabling the professional or the buyer to identify any properties on the buyer list having changed characteristics found in the comparing process.

97. The method of claim 96 wherein the characteristics of the properties on the buyer list includes the identity, location, size, and listed price of each of the respective properties.

98. The method of claim 86 wherein the monitored actions of the professional include tagging properties on an individual client basis to thereby identify client particular tagged properties and wherein the professional-accessed real estate information includes the identification of properties tagged by the professional.

99. The method of claim 86 wherein the monitored actions of the professional includes entering a message to be considered by the first and wherein the professional-accessed real estate information reviewable by the first client includes the message.

100. The method of claim 86 wherein the professional-accessed real estate information includes a listing of properties that meet criteria for the first client.

101. The method of claim 86 further comprising enabling the first client to access the database of real estate information, initiate an independent search of the real estate information according to criteria selected by the first client, and review results of the independent search.

102. The method of claim 101 further comprising monitoring the first client'"'"'s actions to initiate and review an independent search and storing at least portions of the results of the independent search as the first client-accessed real estate information for the first client.

103. The method of claim 102 wherein the first client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes the stored results of the first client'"'"'s independent search.

104. The method of claim 86 further comprising generating a listing of comparable properties for a particular property being considered by the first client and enabling the first client to review the comparable listing.

105. The method of claim 86 wherein the first client-accessed estate information reviewable by the professional includes for a number and identification of properties viewed by the first client, through the first account, since the time of the professional'"'"'s last review.

106. The method of claim 105 wherein the first client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes the last date the first client accessed the first account.

107. The method of claim 106 wherein the first client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional includes a number and identification of properties tagged by the first client through the first account, since the last time the professional reviewed this first client-accessed real estate information for the first client.

108. The method of claim 107 further comprising generating a comparable listing of properties for review by the professional or the first client.

109. The method of claim 86 further comprising enabling the first client to enter appointments, compiling the appointments, and enabling the professional or the first client to review the appointments.

110. The method of claim 86 wherein the first client is a seller.

111. The method of claim 110 further comprising entering of information relating to showings of the seller'"'"'s property and compiling data relating to the showing of the seller'"'"'s property and enabling the professional and the seller to review the compilation.

112. The method of claim 111 wherein the compilation of data includes dates the property was shown, the identity of a showing professional, and any comments of the showing professional.

113. The method of claim 112 further comprising enabling the first client to perform searches to find comparable properties to the seller'"'"'s properties.

114. The method of claim 112 further comprising enabling the first client to select comparable properties and compiling the selected properties and their respective characteristics and generating a cyber report identifying those properties, selected characteristics, and compiled price information.

115. The method of claim 114 wherein the client-accessed real estate information reviewable by the professional comprises the cyber report.

116. The method of claim 86 further comprising generating an area sales report identifying sales in an area associated with a specific property and enabling the professional and the first client to review the area sales report.

117. The method of claim 86 further comprising generating a loan report for a specific property describing potential financing and enabling the professional and the first client to review the loan report.

118. The method of claim 86 further comprising enabling the professional or the first client to enter tasks, compiling the tasks, and enabling the professional and the first to review the tasks.

119. The method of claim 93 further comprising determining the date of the earliest modification of a property on the buyer list and enabling the professional or the buyer to review that date.

120. The method of claim 93 wherein the buyer list shows at the top of the list property added to the list after the last viewing of the list.

121. The method of claim 120 wherein the properties added to the list after the last viewing are highlighted.

122. A computer-readable medium for storing instructions which, when executed on a processor, perform a computer-implemented method of providing client-accessed real estate information to a real estate professional associated with the client, the method comprising:

connecting to a database of real estate information;

providing the professional with access to the real estate information;

storing an account for the client, the account being authorized by the professional;

providing the client with access to the account;

providing the client, when accessing the account, with access to the real estate information;

monitoring actions of the client while the client is accessing the account;

generating and storing client-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the client; and

providing at least some of the client-accessed real estate information to the professional, thereby providing the professional with knowledge of the actions of the client when the client accesses the account.

123. A system for providing client-accessed real estate information to a real estate professional associated with the client, comprising:

a server;

a communications circuit for connecting the server to the internet;

a component for connecting to a database of real estate information;

a component for providing the professional with access to the real estate information;

a component for storing an account for the client on the server, the account being authorized by the professional;

a component for providing the client with access to the account;

a component for providing the client, when accessing the account, with access to the real estate information;

a component for monitoring actions of the client while the client is accessing the account;

a component for generating and storing client-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the client; and

a component for providing at least some of the client-accessed real estate information to the professional, thereby providing the professional with knowledge of the actions of the client when the client accesses the account.

124. A computer-readable medium for storing instructions which, when executed on a processor, perform a computer-implemented method of providing client-accessed real estate information to a real estate professional associated with a first client and a second client, and for providing professional-accessed real estate information to the first client and the second client, the method comprising:

connecting to a database of real estate information;

providing the professional with access to the real estate information;

storing a first account for the first client and a second account for the second client, the first account and the second account being authorized by the professional;

providing the first client with access to the first account and providing the second client with access to the second account;

providing the first client, when accessing the first account, with access to the real estate information;

providing the second client, when accessing the second account, with access to the real estate information;

monitoring actions of the professional while the professional is accessing the real estate information;

monitoring actions of the first client while accessing the first account;

monitoring actions of the second client while accessing the second account;

generating and storing professional-accessed real estate information for the first client and the second client in response to the actions of the professional as the professional reviews the real estate information;

generating and storing first client-accessed real estate information real estate information in response to the actions of the first client;

generating and storing second client-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the second client;

providing at least some of the first client-accessed real estate information and at least some of the second client-accessed real estate information to the professional, thereby providing the professional with knowledge of the actions of the first client and the actions of the second client; and

providing at least some of the professional-accessed real estate information to the first client and the second client, thereby providing the first client and the second client with knowledge of the actions of the real estate professional.

125. A system for providing client-accessed real estate information to a real estate professional associated with a first client and a second client, and for providing professional-accessed real estate information to the first client and the second client, the system comprising:

a server;

a communications circuit for connecting the server to the internet;

a component for connecting to a database of real estate information;

a component for providing the professional with access to the real estate information;

a component for storing a first account for the first client and a second account for the second client on the server, the first account and the second account being authorized by the professional;

a component for providing the first client with access to the first account and providing the second client with access to the second account;

a component for providing the first client, when accessing the first account, with access to the real estate information;

a component for providing the second client, when accessing the second account, with access to the real estate information;

a component for monitoring actions of the professional while the professional is accessing the real estate information;

a component for monitoring actions of the first client while accessing the first account;

a component for monitoring actions of the second client while accessing the second account;

a component for generating and storing professional-accessed real estate information for the first client and the second client in response to the actions of the professional as the professional reviews the real estate information;

a component for generating and storing first client-accessed real estate information real estate information in response to the actions of the first client;

a component for generating and storing second client-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the second client;

a component for providing at least some of the first client-accessed real estate information and at least some of the second client-accessed real estate information to the professional, thereby providing the professional with knowledge of the actions of the first client and the actions of the second client; and

a component for providing at least some of the professional-accessed real estate information to the first client and the second client, thereby providing the first client and the second client with knowledge of the actions of the real estate professional.

126. A computer-implemented method of providing professional-accessed real estate information to a client associated with a real estate professional, the method comprising:

connecting to a database of real estate information;

providing the professional with access to the real estate information;

storing an account for the client, the account being authorized by the professional;

providing the client with access to the account;

providing the client, when accessing the account, with access to the real estate information;

monitoring actions of the professional while the professional is accessing the real estate information;

generating and storing professional-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the professional; and

providing at least some of the professional-accessed real estate information to the client, thereby providing the client with knowledge of the actions of the professional when the client accesses the account.

127. A computer-readable medium for storing instructions which, when executed on a processor, perform a computer-implemented method of providing professional-accessed real estate information to a client associated with a real estate professional, the method comprising:

connecting to a database of real estate information;

providing the professional with access to the real estate information;

storing an account for the client, the account being authorized by the professional;

providing the client with access to the account;

providing the client, when accessing the account, with access to the real estate information;

monitoring actions of the professional while the professional is accessing the real estate information;

generating and storing professional-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the professional; and

providing at least some of the professional-accessed real estate information to the client, thereby providing the client with knowledge of the actions of the professional when the client accesses the account.

128. A system for providing real estate information to a real estate professional and a client of the real estate professional, comprising:

a server;

a communications circuit for connecting the server to the internet;

a component for connecting to a database of real estate information;

a component for providing the professional with access to the real estate information;

a component for storing an account for the client on the server, the account being authorized by the professional;

a component for providing the client with access to the account;

a component for providing the client, when accessing the account, with access to the real estate information;

a component for monitoring actions of the professional while the professional is accessing the real estate information;

a component for generating and storing professional-accessed real estate information in response to the actions of the professional; and

a component for providing at least some of the professional-accessed real estate information to the client, thereby providing the client with knowledge of the actions of the professional when the client accesses the account.