Method for advertising real estate over the internet

• US 6,760,707 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2001
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Properties Online, LLC
• Original Assignee: Properties Online, LLC
• Inventors: Provost, Amanda
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GART, MATTHEW S
• Application Number:
  US09/872,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20020184117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/1, 713/201
• US Class Current: 705/26.35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0276 Advertisement creation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/16 Real estate

Abstract

An Internet-based method and system permits users to list their real estate properties on a respective web site, edit their site, and create new web sites for additional listings. A feature of the invention provides for registering a domain name file for each new page and for E-mailing a request to register the new domain names. Such web site creation and editing may be made whenever the user wishes by simply accessing a home page, entering a corresponding service function such as editing an existing web site or creating a new web site. The user can then carry out the selected function from a personal computer over the Internet. The domain name may correspond to a parameter of the property such as its street address.

Claims

1. A method of advertising a property having a unique property address by automatically creating a unique web site having a domain name that incorporates the unique property address accomplished via an administrative web site, such unique web site having seller changeable parameters rendering it desirable for a seller to frequently modify the unique web site to keep the advertising current, the method comprising the steps of:

A. verifying a seller at an administrative web site;

B. the administrative web site offering the verified seller a selection from a plurality of service functions, said service functions comprising at least;

an automatic creation service function permitting the creation of a new unique web site;

a. the administrative web site providing the verified seller who has selected said automatic creation service function a link to a web site creation page, said web site creation page comprising data entry options including at least a new web site layout and a unique web site domain name, whereby data related to said added property may be entered;

b. the verified seller providing payment data to the administrative web site and the administrative web site verifying said payment data;

c. the administrative web site providing the verified seller a link to a final page for finalizing said unique web site creation, said final page permitting the verified seller to update appropriate database entries, and permitting the verified seller to obtain access to a file folder corresponding to the new unique web site;

d. the administrative web site sending a message to an appropriate agency requesting registration of said unique web site domain name thereby registering said unique web site domain name;

e. the administrative web site automatically building the unique web site comprising the new web site layout; and

f. the administrative web site automatically associating the unique web site with the unique web site domain name, wherein the unique web site becomes accessible via the Internet; and

ii. an editing service function permitting the amendment of an existing unique web site;

a. the administrative web site providing the verified seller who has selected said editing service function a link to a web site editing page, said web site editing page permitting the verified seller to modify at least one seller changeable parameter of the unique web site, whereby the advertisement is keep current; and

C. providing a posted sign on the property, containing the property'"'"'s unique web site domain name, wherein a potential buyer may view said property'"'"'s unique web site and access advertisement information relating to the property on the Internet.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a message to said verified seller acknowledging said new web site creation, whereby said message is an e-mail.

3. The method of claim 1, whereby the message the administrative web site sends to the appropriate agency requesting registration of said unique web site domain name is an e-mail.

4. The method of claim 1, whereby said verified seller may frequently modify the unique web site by selecting said editing service function via the administrative web site or via a link provided at an URL located on the unique web site.