Real estate information exchange process and system

• US 7,451,150 B2
• Filed: 03/03/2005
• Issued: 11/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accessify, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: CleanOffer, Inc.
• Inventors: Faudman, David Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Pardo; Thuy N
• Application Number:
  US11/072,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20050149574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 707/3, 707/10, 707/104.1, 707/104, 707/9, 707/140.1, 705/1, 705/10, 705/26, 705/27, 705/14, 705/8
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/922 Communications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/946 Real estate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

A system and process includes a computer that is operatively connected to an area network, such as to the Internet. A database of MLS properties that are for sale is maintained that is accessible to the computer. Real estate agents must subscribe in order to use the system and are then included in the database. Clients may be either prospective buyers or sellers of the MLS properties. Each client is required to complete a client commitment form whereby the client elects to have a currently subscribing real estate agent represent them before they are allowed access to the information and services provided. Current client files are also included in the database. Real estate agents are given the full functionality that is offered to the clients in that they may view any of the client'"'"'s files and activities and they are also allowed to post upcoming MLS properties that are to be offered for sale and to FAX property defects that are made available only to other real estate agents. Agents are also able to view the activity of any of their own listings.

Claims

1. A real estate information exchange system comprising:

(a) a database that includes a computer operatively connected to an Internet network and memory for storage of real estate data, and that is accessible by connection to the Internet network;

(b) means for sharing MLS property information between a first real estate agent and a client; and

,

(c) wherein said system is programmed to provide to said client a graph of a percentage of real estate properties that are currently in escrow as compared with a total number of real estate properties that are offered for sale in a predetermined geographical area.

2. A real estate information exchange system comprising:

(a) a database that includes a computer operatively connected to an Internet network and memory for storage of real estate data, and that is accessible by connection to the Internet network;

(b) means for sharing MLS property information between a listing real estate agent and one or more other real estate agents; and

(c) wherein said system serves as a clearinghouse for the listing agent to input information regarding an upcoming listing prior to said listing being placed in said MLS service and for the one or more other real estate agents to retrieve said information prior to said listing being placed in said MLS service.

3. A real estate information exchange system comprising:

(a) a database that includes a computer operatively connected to an Internet network and memory for storage of real estate data, and that is accessible by connection to the Internet network;

(b) means for sharing MLS property information between a first real estate agent and a client;

(c) wherein said system is programmed to maintain a file of favorite properties that are selected by said client;

(d) means for sharing MLS property information between said first real estate agent and a second real estate agent; and

wherein said client is provided access to said system subsequent to said client electing to work with said first real estate agent and wherein said client must first agree to have said first real estate agent represent said client by accepting an online Client-Commitment that is provided over said Internet to said client and wherein said client must fully complete and agree to said Client-Commitment prior to an enabling of said means for sharing MLS property information between said first real estate agent and said client; and

,

(e) wherein said system is programmed to provide to said client a graph of a percentage of real estate properties that are currently in escrow as compared with a total number of real estate properties that are offered for sale in a predetermined geographical area.

4. A real estate information exchange system comprising:

(a) a database that includes an MLS service and a computer operatively connected to an Internet network memory for storage of real estate data, and that is accessible by connection to the Internet network;

(b) means for sharing MLS property information between a first real estate agent and a client;

(c) wherein said system is programmed to maintain a file of favorite properties that are selected by said client;

(d) means for sharing MLS property information between said first real estate agent and a second real estate agent; and

wherein said client is provided access to said system subsequent to said client electing to work with said first real estate agent and wherein said client must first agree to have said first real estate agent represent said client by accepting an online Client-Commitment that is provided over said Internet to said client and wherein said client must fully complete and agree to said Client-Commitment prior to an enabling of said means for sharing MLS property information between said first real estate agent and said client; and

,

(e) wherein said system serves as a clearinghouse for the first real estate agent or the second real estate agent to input information into said system regarding an upcoming listing prior to said listing being placed in said MLS service and for said first real estate agent to retrieve said information prior to said listing being placed in said MLS service and to share said upcoming listing information with the client.

5. A real estate information exchange system comprising:

(a) a database that includes a MLS service and that is accessible by connection to an Internet network;

(b) means for sharing MLS property information from said MLS service among a listing real estate agent, one or more other real estate agents and a client;

(c) wherein said system serves as a clearinghouse for the listing agent to input information regarding an upcoming listing prior to said listing being placed in said MLS service, for the one or more other real estate agents to retrieve said information prior to said listing being placed in said MLS service and for any of the listing agent and the one or more other real estate agents to share said upcoming listing information with the client.

6. A real estate information exchange system comprising:

(a) a database that includes a MLS service and that is accessible by connection to an Internet network;

(b) means for sharing MLS property information from said MLS service between a listing real estate agent, a second real estate agent and a client;

(c) means for the listing agent to input information into said system regarding an upcoming listing prior to said listing being placed in said MLS service and for the second real estate agent to share said upcoming listing information with the client; and

,

(d) means for providing to the listing real estate agent and/or to the second real estate agent and/or to the client a graph of a percentage of real estate properties that are currently in escrow as compared with a total number of real estate properties that are offered for sale in a predetermined geographical area.

7. A real estate information exchange system comprising:

(a) a database that includes a MLS service and that is accessible by connection to an Internet network;

(b) means for sharing MLS property information from said MLS service between a listing real estate agent, a second real estate agent and a client;

(c) means for the listing agent to input information into said system regarding an upcoming listing prior to said listing being placed in said MLS service and for the second real estate agent to share said upcoming listing information with the client; and

,

(d) wherein said system is programmed to provide to the listing real estate agent and/or to the second real estate agent and/or to the client information including a percentage of real estate properties that are currently in escrow as compared with a total number of real estate properties that are offered for sale in a predetermined geographical area.

8. A real estate information exchange system comprising:

(a) a database that includes a computer operatively connected to an Internet network and memory for storage of real estate data, and that is accessible by connection to the Internet network;

(b) means for sharing MLS property information between a first real estate agent and a client; and

,

(c) wherein said system is programmed to provide to said client information including a percentage of real estate properties that are currently in escrow as compared with a total number of real estate properties that are offered for sale in a predetermined geographical area.