Method and apparatus for coordinating real estate closing services

• US 20040049450A1
• Filed: 09/04/2003
• Published: 03/11/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sherin B. Lussler
• Original Assignee: Sherin B. Lussler
• Inventors: Lussler, Sherin B.
• Application Number:
  US10/655,356
• Publication Number:
  US 20040049450A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof

Abstract

Real estate closing service providers are matched with customers according to multiple predefined criteria, allowing the customer to choose from a list of matching service providers that have been pre-approved by the lender. The method is advantageously implemented by performing many of the steps via the Internet and with the assistance of appropriate computer software, but may be implemented utilizing any other suitable means. In one embodiment, a service provider coordinator coordinates the matching of customers and service providers. Lenders provide the coordinator with lists of approved providers, service providers provide outlines of closing costs, discount incentives, and customer requirements, and customers provide closing information. The coordinator screens the requirements for each customer transaction type and matches the customer with appropriate service providers. The customer selects a service provider from the matches and informs the coordinator and/or lender of the choice. The coordinator then informs the service provider and/or the lender and coordinates the closing. Upon closing, the service provider, the lender, and/or the customer pay the coordinator a referral fee for its services. Information about the transaction, the offer, and/or the customer may be optionally stored for future use. In various alternative embodiments, a customer may initiate contact with the coordinator, a lender may act as an intermediary between a customer and the coordinator, a lender may initiate contact between a customer and the coordinator, and/or a service provider may utilize the coordinator as a source of prescreened business.

Claims

1. A method for coordinating real estate closing services comprising the steps, in combination, of:

receiving real estate closing information from a customer or lender;

identifying at least one matching real estate closing service provider by comparing, using an automated process, the received closing information to stored service provider criteria;

communicating, to the customer or lender, at least one service provider offer from an offering matched service provider;

receiving at least one service provider offer selection from the customer or lender;

notifying at least one selected service provider of the service provider offer selection; and

providing a record of the selected service provider offer to the customer or lender.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of initially requesting the real estate closing information from the buyer or lender.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of validating the received closing information.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing the received closing information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing information relating to the selected service provider offer.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving notification of a completed real estate closing; and

storing information about the completed real estate closing.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving service provider criteria; and

storing the received service provider criteria.

8. A method for coordinating real estate closing services via the Internet comprising the steps, in combination, of:

presenting a closing data form to a customer via a web site;

receiving customer closing information from the customer via the Internet;

electronically validating the received customer closing information;

electronically comparing the received customer closing information to stored real estate closing service provider criteria to identify at least one matching service provider;

communicating the received customer closing information to at least one matching closing service provider;

receiving at least one offer for services to the customer from at least one offering service provider;

providing, via the Internet, at least one matching notice to the customer to notify the customer of the offer for services from the offering service provider;

receiving, via the Internet, at least one customer service offer acceptance;

notifying an accepted service provider of the customer service offer acceptance; and

sending a voucher containing a record of the offer for services and the customer service offer acceptance to the customer.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of storing information about the offer for services and the customer service offer acceptance in an electronic database.

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

receiving notification of a completed real estate closing; and

electronically storing information about the completed real estate closing.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of:

receiving service provider criteria; and

storing the received service provider criteria.

12. A method for coordinating real estate closing services comprising the steps, in combination, of:

receiving customer real estate closing information from a customer;

communicating the customer real estate closing information to a service provider coordinator;

receiving at least one service provider offer from the service provider coordinator, the service provider offer having been obtained by the service provider coordinator after comparing, through an automated process, the customer real estate closing information to service provider criteria;

communicating at least one received service provider offer to the customer;

receiving at least one service provider offer selection from the customer; and

notifying the service provider coordinator of the service provider offer selection.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of providing a record of the service provider offer and the service provider offer selection to the customer.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of storing the received real estate closing information.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of storing information relating to the service provider offer selection.

16. A method for coordinating real estate closing services comprising the steps, in combination, of:

providing at least one service provider criterion to a service provider coordinator for matching with customer real estate closing information;

receiving customer real estate closing information for a matching customer from the service provider coordinator, the matching customer having been identified by the service provider coordinator after comparing, through an automated process, the customer real estate closing information to service provider criteria;

transmitting a service offer to the service provider coordinator or matching customer;

receiving an acceptance of the transmitted service offer; and

providing services to the matching customer in accordance with the accepted service offer.

17. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for coordination of real estate closing services between a customer, a lender, and a plurality of closing service providers, comprising:

storing selection criteria of a plurality of real estate closing service providers;

receiving customer closing information from a customer;

comparing the received customer closing information to the stored selection criteria to identify at least one matching closing service provider;

communicating the received closing information to at least one matching closing service provider;

receiving at least one offer for services to the customer from at least one offering service provider;

transmitting at least one offer for services to the customer;

receiving at least one customer service offer acceptance; and

notifying an accepted service provider of the customer service offer acceptance.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising computer-executable instructions for transmitting a record of the offer for services and the customer service offer acceptance to the customer.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising computer-executable instructions for receiving notification of a completed real estate closing and storing information about the completed real estate closing.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising computer-executable instructions for storing received customer closing information and information relating to the selected offers for services.