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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A method of acquiring and displaying real estate information utilizing
an information processing system containing file server means for serving
files, said file server means having i/o means for receiving and
transmitting data, and database storage means for storing information in
database files, the method comprising the steps of:
a) receiving real estate related information;
b) storing digitized real estate data and related information as
information records in said database storage means of said file server
means in a manner in which data can be selectively accessed;
c) receiving digital electronic first end user information from a first end
user relating to said first end user's real estate needs;
d) selectively providing digital electronic information of portions of said
real estate data based on said digital electronic end user information;
e) accessing data files by said first end users, said accessing data files
by said first end users being a plurality of inquiries from individual
first end users, said end user inquiries being the retrieving and viewing
of text and/or graphic data from a database;
f) generating a demographics information database by compiling and merging
a plurality of first end user inquiries and storing said compiled and
merged inquiries; and
g) providing a second end user with said demographic information, said
demographics information corresponding to the specific text and graphic
data selected from said database files by said first end users.
2. The method of claim 1, where each of said text and graphic data in said
database files is assigned a code, and wherein said generating a
demographics information database comprises compiling, merging and storing
the codes for the text and graphic data viewed by said first end user.
3. A method of acquiring and displaying property related information
utilizing an information processing system containing media means for
receiving analog and digitized data and transmitting digitized data; file
server means for receiving data from said media means, receiving data
inquiries and transmitting data in response to said data inquiries;
databases and database storage means for sorting, storing and retrieving
information received, the method comprising the steps of:
a) receiving property related information at said media means;
b) transmitting said property related information in appropriate format to
said file server means;
c) said file server means analyzing said property related information and
storing said property related information in related database storage
means,
d) said file server means receiving an information request from multiple
end users relating to the end users' information needs, the extent of
information available to said end users being determined by said users'
access code;
e) selectively providing computerized information in response to said end
users' information requests,
f) said end users' information requests being a plurality of inquiries from
individual first end users, said end user inquiries being the retrieving
and viewing of text and/or graphic data from a database; and
g) generating and updating a demographics pattern database by compiling and
merging a plurality of first end user inquiries and storing said compiled
and merged inquiries.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of
h) receiving an information request from an agent relating to the agent's
information needs, each agent having an access code, the extent of
information available to said agent being determined by said agent's
access code,
i) selectively providing said information in response to said agent's
information request,
j) said agent's information requests being a plurality of inquiries from a
plurality of individual agents, said end user inquiries being the
retrieving and viewing of text and/or graphic data from a database;
k) generating and updating further said demographics pattern database
information by compiling and merging a plurality of agents' inquiries and
storing said compiled and merged inquiries in a demographics database, and
wherein each time said server is accessed, data obtained through said
access analysis is stored in the appropriate databases as demographic
information, thereby continually updating and increasing the available
demographics information within the databases.
5. A system of tracking real estate and real estate related demographic
information using a computer network system comprising:
a media unit, said media unit having:
a multimedia computer;
a digitizer, said digitizer receiving information from outside said network
system and within said multimedia computer;
i/o means,
a server's unit, said server's unit having:
a computer, said computer having storage capabilities;
communication means, said communication means enabling said server to
interact with remote terminals;
a plurality of databases, at least one of said plurality of databases being
an automatically updated demographic pattern database, said demographics
pattern database being updated automatically by analyzing database
information requests, said database information requests being a plurality
of inquiries from a plurality of individual remote terminals, said remote
terminal inquiries being the retrieving and viewing of text and/or graphic
data from a database;
demographic database updating means, said updating means automatically
updating said demographics pattern database by compiling and merging a
plurality of end user inquiries and storing said compiled and merged
inquiries in said demographics pattern database.
6. The system of tracking real estate and real estate related of claim 5,
further comprising
access software, said access software having access codes, said access
codes corresponding to each of said databases;
the first of said remote terminals being an agent's unit, said agent's unit
having:
a computer, said computer having display means;
i/o means, said i/o means being in communication with said computer; and
storage capabilities;
the second of said remote terminals being a subscriber's unit, said
subscriber's unit having:
converter means;
storage capabilities;
a viewing screen; and
i/o means;
the third of said remote terminals being an end user's unit, said end
user's unit having:
converter means;
storage capabilities;
a viewing screen; and
i/o means;
wherein information is received by said multimedia computer from multiple
sources, analyzed, edited and transmitted to said server's unit for
storage in the appropriate databases,
activation of said subscriber's unit causes a specific request sequence to
issue, thereby controlling the information provided to said subscriber,
said subscriber's response to said specific request sequence providing
information to said network for entry into appropriate databases, thereby
constantly updating the databases,
activation of said agent's unit causes a specific request sequence to
issue, thereby controlling the information provided to said agent, said
agent's response to said specific request sequence providing information
to the network for entry into appropriate databases, thereby constantly
updating the databases, and
activation of said end user's unit causes a specific request sequence to
issue, thereby controlling the information provided to said end user, said
end user's response to said specific request sequence providing
information to the network for entry into appropriate databases, thereby
continuously updating said databases.
7. The system of tracking real estate and real estate related information
of claim 6, further comprising means for storing advertising information,
said end user's unit and said agent's unit being configured to select from,
receive, and display said advertising information for display on a
terminal,
said server's unit including means for generating demographic data from
inquiries for advertising information, storing said demographic data in
said demographic pattern database, and means for retrieving demographic
patterns from said demographic pattern database generated from inquiries
for advertising information.
8. The system of tracking real estate and real estate related information
of claim 7, further comprising means for storing financial information,
said end user's unit and said agent's unit being configured to select from,
receive, and display said financial information for display on a terminal,
said server's unit including means for generating demographic data from
inquiries for financial information, storing said demographic data in said
demographic pattern database, and means for retrieving demographic
patterns from said demographic pattern database generated from inquiries
for financial information.
9. The system of tracking real estate and real estate related information
of claim 6, further comprising means for storing advertising and financial
information, said end user's unit and said agent's unit being configured
to select from, receive, and display said advertising and financial
information for display on a remote terminal. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Brief Description of the Invention
The instant invention relates to a method of accessing industry specific
information, such as real estate properties for sale, through multimedia
personal computers. The disclosed invention includes an interactive
multimedia communications system for the production, digitization,
compression and decompression, transmission, and retrieval of real
property data and related information. The access provides detailed
information on a particular property, community, financing, demographics,
and related information. The information can be accessed on demand by Real
Estate Agents as well as by End Users wherever their multimedia device is
located. The instant system presents a new advertising medium for
industry-specific advertisers or even general advertisers as the case may
be. The instant system is a response-driven, full service, real-time
advertising medium capable of generating direct response vehicles (i.e.,
coupons, reply and order mechanisms, etc.) to viewers. For illustrative
purposes, the real estate industry is used as an example herein, however,
the disclosed system can be used for other applications, i.e., travel,
employment opportunities, auctions, antique or rare articles for sale,
automobiles, boats, aircraft, etc. Because each property profile and
advertisement regardless of sponsor has its own identification code and
each user of the disclosed system has their own access code, the instant
invention provides detailed data on all aspects of viewership and
response. When, where, and how often an advertisement and/or profile is
viewed is instantly recorded by the disclosed system. The instant
invention is a measurable advertising medium which measures advertising in
terms of exposure, response, and level of interest. Viewership and
response patterns can be retrieved by advertisers, agents, and subscribers
via the disclosed system's demographic retrieval databases.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Each year large numbers of the population move, requiring property
purchasing, leasing, selling and related services. In the residential
market, real estate agents and homeowners selling their own properties
spend considerable time matching seller to buyer and vice-versa. In the
agent's case, buyers review property listings from a Multiple Listing
Service at the agent's office, making judgments based on photographs and
limited information. The details are generally on a single sheet at best,
and include the number of rooms, occasionally size of rooms, number of
bathrooms, land size, and any out-buildings such as barns. The properties
chosen for review must then be physically shown, so Real Estate Agents
then drive potential buyers around showing properties, which wastes both
time and money. Potential purchasers often need to take time off from work
and spend many hours riding around looking at properties. The prior art
system is, at best, time consuming and inefficient. Everyone involved in
the house hunt must be prepared to devote a substantial amount of time to
viewing properties.
On the other side of the transaction, sellers often have potential buyers
looking at their homes who are not interested in making a purchase or
worse yet, not financially qualified. Frequently a property is
inaccessible when a potential purchaser wants to view it or a "no-show"
occurs after the agent and/or seller went to considerable time and effort
to present the property. Likewise, the agent and seller have a significant
investment of time, effort and money at stake if the buyer fails to
qualify for financing or the closing doesn't occur as scheduled.
The commercial real estate market is almost identical to the residential
market in regard to how properties are reviewed and chosen. One primary
difference is, however, the due diligence performed by both users and
investors of commercial real estate. Typically, users and real estate
investors will seek the financial data on a property prior to even
physically seeing it. Extensive information regarding comparable rents,
vacancy rates, and similar properties is often the norm. Obtaining this
information is often difficult and once received, it is limited in scope.
In addition, landlords typically dislike disturbing existing tenants with
the showing of their property to a potential purchaser or new tenant.
At present, real estate agents from around the United States employ various
forms of a property listing system often referred to as the Multiple
Listing Service (MLS). These systems are usually not accessible by agents
outside the local system and provide little information on properties
elsewhere or any network for referrals. In addition, any type of market
data generated by the MLS is local in nature and cannot be easily
translated into state, regional, or national trends. In most instances the
current listing system provides small opportunity for an agent to handle
the sale of a client's property and the purchase of a new property for the
same client unless the move is local.
The majority of real estate advertising today is through local newspapers
and trade publications. These advertisements are limited to space and
production deadlines and readership is certainly hoped for, but in nearly
every case unaccounted for. If changes in price, terms, or availability
occur, the new information is restricted to production deadlines and such.
In short, the traditional advertising mediums used for real estate
advertising are usually non-measurable, limited in choice, fairly
expensive and often non-exclusive in nature.
Another major marketing tool employed by both agents and sellers alike is
"open houses." Due to access, convenience, and work schedules, "open
houses" have been confined to weekends and predominately Sunday
afternoons. The "open house" continues to be a valuable marketing tool but
is limited to time constraints.
Often real estate agents are restricted for ethical and/or legal reasons
from informing clients about local schools, churches and civic
organizations. As a result, newcomers to an area have to investigate these
facilities themselves and often under the pressure of time and
convenience.
Illiquidity in the real estate marketplace often creates transactions
wherein the seller will finance all or a portion of the purchase price.
While presently, there are numerous entities that purchase these notes,
there is no common medium for note-holders to advertise these security
instruments for sale or exchange. Likewise, no medium exists which
compiles data on these instruments.
Traditionally, the real estate industry has faced illiquidity, high
capitalization (and the costs thereof), and cyclical trends. The "boom"
decade of the 80's created an abundance of real estate and agents who
market it. The current recession has produced a large correction in real
estate prices which brings an already over supply of agents chasing fewer
closings and smaller commissions. Having already noted the cyclical nature
of the real estate industry, it still is important to realize that most
agents even in good times or bad don't get both sides of a transaction. In
other words, the sale of their client's current home and the purchase of
their new property. Bridging this inefficiency as well as the others
covered herein would yield greater productivity in the real estate
marketplace and better use of personnel.
Therefore, the desire of all parties is a cost effective, efficient, and
convenient means of retrieving detailed property information. With the
system of the current application, consumers can view real property
advertisements including digitized pictorial graphics and audio
information, mortgage qualification programs and guidelines, mortgage
rates, and different community profiles at their convenience and in the
comfort of their own homes through use of the instant system. Once the End
Users have narrowed down their choices, they meet with a Real Estate Agent
at his or her office and access the Real Estate Agent's exclusive system.
The Real Estate Agent's system details more about the property such as the
Seller's name, property address, and listing agent information. In
essence, anyone involved in a real estate transaction can readily retrieve
and view all types of properties and related goods and services without
the inefficiencies of the prior art system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is directed at an information processing system for
acquiring and displaying real estate and industry related information. The
system includes a Server having an i/o (input/output device) through which
data is received and transmitted, and database storage for storing digital
real estate information. Preferably the database storage includes the
capability of storing scanned graphic images, video, and sound, as well as
standard data.
The system further includes media terminals for production of files,
including digitized property descriptions. The media terminal has
digitizing capabilities to digitize analog input and i/o for receiving and
transmitting the digitized information.
End users enter requests and receive the requested information, including
property descriptions, at the End User terminal. The end user terminal has
means for inputting and displaying data, such as a cable television
converter, and a microcomputer (for decompression, storage, and error
correction), and either an internal or external i/o for receiving and
transmitting data.
The Real Estate Agent terminals are used for entering and receiving
information and are equipped with a means for inputting and displaying
data and i/o for receiving and transmitting data.
The i/o of the system components are configured to communicate between the
Media, End User, Real Estate Agent and Demographic Information Subscriber
and Server. Digitized real estate information, consisting of property
descriptions, is received by the Server from all input sources via the i/o
of the media terminal. The received digital real estate information is
then stored in the Server's database. Viewer selected portions of digital
real estate information are transmitted to the end user terminal, where
they are displayed for viewing.
The Media, End User, Real Estate Agent and Demographic Subscriber terminals
have compression/decompression capabilities for file storage and/or
transmission. Also, optionally and preferably, the Server stores
information regarding property profiles, real estate professionals,
community profiles, real es tate financing, local businesses and services,
and demographic retrievals, all of which can be received and displayed by
the viewer. The instant system is configured to prevent access to certain
real estate information, but configured to make that same information
available to other users.
The instant invention is a method of acquiring and displaying real estate
information, the system utilizes an information processing system
containing a Server with i/o for receiving and providing data and database
storage. Analog property descriptions of real estate properties are
digitized and entered along with additional information, and edited at
terminals. The proofed information is stored in the database in a manner
in which the data can be selectively accessed. The End User enters data at
their terminal specific to their real estate needs or services. This data
is then sent to the Server, where the property profiles are selected and
sent to the End User. Real Estate Agents can access the Server's databases
through entry at their terminals and retrieve information. The system has
the ability to access and transmit selected files, depending upon the
requests of the user. In all cases, viewer selections are captured and
stored by the Server.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The advantages of the instant disclosure will become more apparent when
read with the specifications and the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic of the major components according to the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic showing the flow of raw data in production to
digitization, editing, transmission, and storage according to the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a schematic showing the flow of data being compressed and
decompressed, transmitted, and proofed between the media company and the
Real Estate Agent according to the instant invention;
FIG. 4 is a schematic which represents the flow of data from storage at the
Server's central location to the Real Estate Agent according to the
present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic which represents the flow of data from storage at the
Server's central location to the End User for viewing according to the
instant invention;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart composite of FIGS. 2 through 5 according to the
present invention;
FIG. 7 is an example of one possible multimedia graphical advertisement
screen according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an example of one possible graphical advertisement screen used by
Real Estate Agents according to the instant invention; and,
FIG. 9 is an example of one possible graphical advertisement screen used by
Demographic Retrieval Users according to the instant invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention discloses a network system which allows the users to
interactively access and retrieve on demand extensive information on
databases throughout the world regardless of time zone differences. The
application of the instant disclosure described herein applies to the Real
Estate Industry, however the disclosed system can be used for other
applications. For use within this disclosure, the following terminology is
used for consistency and should in no way limit the scope of the
invention.
End User--The party viewing the database files. Typically an End User of
real estate looking to lease and/or purchase real property. The End User
generally has access to only limited files and can optionally have input
capability to alter the files they are viewing. The End User can include
viewers seeking ideas for home building, decorating or remodeling. In
addition, relocation companies or departments in corporations, architects,
etc., are also included.
Real Estate Companies and Agents--The sales agent or facilitator of a real
estate transaction and the primary user of the instant system. The Real
Estate Agent has access to the instant system regardless of where the
system is accessed.
Media--The primary party responsible for production of property files and
possibly all other advertising displayed on the system. The Media has
access to all files on the Server and, alternatively, may be part of the
Server's system. The Media can include multimedia communications,
conglomerates, or local media entities.
Server--The computer system which stores all files. Input facilities for
raw data may be located at the Server's location.
Multimedia device--A device and/or system which includes, but is not
limited to, video and audio-graphic conferencing and multimedia messaging
with electronic and voice mail system so specifications and other
text-based material and voice communications can occur rapidly and without
time zone interference. This unit is capable of storing, transmitting,
receiving, compressing, decompressing and error correcting, digital
information for displaying text, graphics, audio and video.
Advertiser--An entity promoting goods and/or services related to a specific
industry. The advertising can be directed to any of the users in the
instant system and direct response vehicles (i.e., coupons, reply and
order mechanisms, etc.) are made available to viewers.
Demographic Information Subscriber--The recipient of demographic
information which is generated by the instant system. Throughout the
instant invention certain portions of demographic information can remain
proprietary, but the demographic flow of the populace is available to
Subscribers and industry-related advertisers.
It should be noted that a company or individual can fall into two or more
of the foregoing categories. A moving company, for example, can be an
Industry Related Advertiser and also a Subscriber retrieving demographic
information for marketing purposes. In another example, an architect could
be an advertiser of their services and, at the same time, be an End User
accessing the disclosed system to monitor design trends, new housing
developments, and competitive practices.
FIG. 1 is an overview of the major system components which would be
required to complete the disclosed system. The media's multimedia device
100 would preferably consist of a digitizer 108, compress/decompress unit
106, modem 104, and multimedia PC 102. The real estate agent's multimedia
device 200 would preferably comprise the multimedia PC 202, the modem 206
and the compress/decompress unit 204. The End User's, or Subscriber's,
multimedia device 300 preferably consists of a multimedia unit 302 and a
viewing device 304. The viewing device 304 can be the End User's
television, a monitor, or other apparatus which allows for multimedia
viewing. The multimedia unit 302 can be a computer system or a cable
television converter with a microprocessor or other technology which
provides for compression or decompression, error correcting, transmission,
and storage. Alternatively, the multimedia unit 302 can be made part of
the End User's viewing device 304. The Server's Processor, or unit 400,
preferably comprises a modem 410, a Server's computer 412 and databases
420, 422, 424, 426, 428, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, 444, 446, 448,
450, 452, 454, 456, 458, 460, and 462. The Server's computer 412
alternatively can be a workstation, minicomputer or microcomputer or other
device. Although reference herein is made to information transfer via
modem, it should be noted that cable, satellite, fiber optics, or other
means for transferring information can also be utilized. The method of
transferring the information is based on the current availability within
the communities.
In the drawings herein the Server's computer 412 is at a separate location
from the media's multimedia device 100, and all communication is conducted
through the use of modems 104, 206, and 410. Alternatively, the Server's
computer 412 can be included in the same location as the media's
multimedia device 100 with a hardwire link up between the two. If the
Server's Processor 400 is not hardwired to the media's multimedia device
100, means for directly entering information into the Server's computer
412 other than through media's multimedia device 100 may be desired. This
can be through an additional PC wired to the Server's computer 412,
scanner, personal digital assistant, or any other method known in the art.
The For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Property Profiles Database 420 could include
any type of real property offerings marketed by owners. The Auction
Property Profiles Database 422 could include any type of real property
offerings marketed via auctions. The Agent Property Profiles Database 424
could include any type of real property offerings marketed by real estate
agents. The Agent Referral Database 426 could include any real estate
agents and their companies who market property via the disclosed system.
The Transaction Processing Database 428 generates and confirms
appointments and significant dates for all parties involved in a real
estate transaction. This same database contains a general accounting file
for Real Estate Companies which can be exported to their primary
accounting program. The Agent Leads Database 430 is a compilation of
inquiries generated when an End User or other interested party views a
particular property profile the Agent has advertised/listed on the
disclosed system. The Agent Market Data Database 432 is a compilation of
files such as inventory reports, sales-to-date, expired listings and
contracts pending. The Government and Civic Organizations Database 434 is
a compilation of government and civic organizations on a local, state,
regional, and national basis that the viewer can access to obtain
information on particular issues such as zoning laws or involvement in a
civic organization. The Community Profiles Database 436 contains video
vignettes on communities where properties are available for purchase,
lease, or exchange. The Events and Attractions Database 438 could have
files such as Arts & Entertainment, Annual Events, Sports, and Special
Attractions. The Educational Facilities Database 440 could consist of
public, private, and trade schools, as well as colleges and libraries. The
Real Estate Related Services Database 442 could comprise the following
files: real estate companies, real estate agents, banks, mortgage
companies, attorneys, insurance companies, moving companies, home
inspectors, builders, property management, appraisers, architects, title
companies, and any other type of real estate related service. The Home
Services Database 444 is a compilation of files such as decorators,
furniture and antique dealers, appliance dealers, building supply centers,
remodeling services, home security services, and any other type of home
service business or entity. The Restaurants and Lodging Database 446 could
consist of hotel and motel files or bed and breakfast files as well as
restaurant files. The Mortgage Programs Database 448 is a compilation of
all available mortgage programs such as conventional, fixed, or adjustable
rate mortgage programs. The Personal Mortgage Analysis Database 450 is a
compilation of information derived from viewer input in regard to
financing the purchase of any of the properties viewed. The Mortgage Rates
Database 452 is a compilation of various mortgage rates offered by lenders
on a local, state, regional, or national basis. The Real Estate Notes
Database 454 is a compilation of real estate backed notes and securities
offered for sale, servicing, or exchange on a local, state, regional, or
national basis. The Property Inquiry Database 456 consists of all
qualitative inquiries generated by viewers seeking more information on
specific property profiles viewed on the disclosed system. The Property
Retrieval Database 458 is generated by viewership of any property profiles
wherein the viewer may or may not be interested in pursuing the
transaction but has viewed the property. The Advertising Inquiries
Database 460 comprises all qualitative inquiries generated by viewers
seeking more information on specific goods or services advertised on the
disclosed invention. The Advertiser Retrieval Database 462 is generated by
viewership of any advertising message wherein the viewer may or may not be
interested in obtaining more information about the advertiser's goods
and/or services. All files are stored on their respective databases,
providing easy access and manipulation. The databases are continually
updated to ensure accurate, up-to-date information at all times. The
foregoing files and databases are used as examples only, and should not in
any way limit the scope of the instant disclosure.
FIG. 2 illustrates the information flow to and from the Media's multimedia
device 100 to the Server's Processor 400. The raw data is either gathered
from outside sources, generally in the form of analog information 110, or
entered directly at the Media's multimedia PC 102. Any analog information
110, albeit audio, video, photos, text, or graphics, must be digitized by
Media's digitizer 108 to be read by the PCs used herein. The digitized
information is sent directly to the Media's multimedia PC 102. Information
from Real Estate Agents and other sources is received via the Media's
modem 104, or by any other means, for entry into the Media's multimedia
device 100. Data produced by the Media's personnel is directly entered
onto the multimedia PC 102. Once entered, the information is edited at the
media's multimedia PC 102, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
In FIG. 3, the edited information is placed in a file which corresponds to
its existing database and compressed at the Media's compress/decompress
unit 106. For example, the agent property profile is sent via Media's
modem 104 to the Real Estate Agent's modem 206. The new file is received
via the Real Estate Agent's modem 206 where it is sent to the Real Estate
Agent's compress/decompress unit 204. After decompression, the file is
sent to the Agent's multimedia PC 202 for review and proofing. The Real
Estate Agent enters either approval or proofing instructions at this
point.
After proofing, the file is sent back to the Media's multimedia device 100
with instructions for changes. When final approval has been granted by the
Agent, the file is sent, as shown in FIG. 2, via the Media's modem 104 to
the Server's modem 410. Each file sent to the Server's computer 412 is
designated a location, ensuring it will be stored with other similar files
on the database in the Server's computer 412.
FIG. 4 depicts the information flow from the Server's Processor 400
directly to the Real Estate Agent's multimedia device 200. The request for
specific files is compressed at the Real Estate Agent's
compress/decompress unit 204 and sent, via Agent's modem 206, to the
Server's modem 410 where it is transmitted to the Server's computer 412.
The requested files are then transmitted via modems 410 and 206,
decompressed 204, and accessible on the Agent's PC 202. The Agent Referral
Database 426 contains information on all agents and their companies
located at the Server's computer 412 for the purposes of communicating any
changes at the central location. In the event an Agent procures a
transaction on a property listed by another Agent, the information for
referral compensation would be accessible in this database. The Agent
Referral Database 426 also creates an up-to-date directory of Agents and
their respective Brokers/companies.
The disclosed system allows Agents access to privileged information not
available to the general public, such as the Seller's name, phone number,
address, listing expiration date, and any notations entered into the file
by the listing agent. The Agents would also have access to For Sale By
Owner (FSBO) and Auction Profiles.
The Transaction Processing Database 428 generates and confirms appointments
and significant dates for all parties involved in a real estate
transaction. Specific information such as contracts pending and closing
dates are communicated to the Agent Market Data Database 432 for
compilation and inventory reports. The Transaction Processing Database 428
can also be used in conjunction, for example, with the Real Estate Related
Services Database 442 to schedule appointments with attorneys, builders,
home inspectors, bankers, or any other real estate related service needed
to facilitate the real estate transaction.
The Real Estate Agent can retrieve leads generated by their own specific
Agent Property Profile advertisements via the Agent Leads Database 430.
The Agents can also retrieve quantitative data on general viewership of
any type of real property offerings on the disclosed system via Property
Retrieval Database 458 (see FIG. 1). The use of the two aforementioned
Databases in conjunction with the Agent Market Data Database 432 or any
other combination of databases will provide extensive market research for
the Agent.
FIG. 5 illustrates how the End Users access the instant system in their own
homes, or offices, with the use of the End User's multimedia device 300.
The End User chooses a desired community and enters certain parameters,
such as type of property and price range. Utilizing the entry device on,
or part of the End User's multimedia unit 302, one or all of the databases
available to the End User can be accessed in any combination. The End
User's multimedia unit 302 can accommodate various inputs such as remote
control or preferably voice recognition. However, a keyboard, mouse or
other form of entry based on the End User's choice can be utilized. The
End User's request is sent to Server's modem 410, then to the Server's
computer 412. The requested information is then transmitted, via modem
410, to be viewed on demand. The End User's multimedia device 300 is
provided with software coding or hardware which prevents the End User from
entering restricted databases. Software coding can be the access number
submitted in response to a computer prompt or other methods, such as
computer recognition and capture of originating phone numbers. Hardware
limitations can be similar to the cable television converter box in that
only certain switches are set to activate the corresponding databases.
The preferred systems according to the instant disclosure are illustrated
in FIG. 6. External information, such as mortgage rates, graphics and/or
other enhancements, any audio script recordings, still frames and/or
videos, and mortgage qualifications, would be digitized by the Media's
multimedia device 100. The information is edited through use of the
Media's keyboard, compressed at Media's compress/decompress unit, and sent
to the Media's modem for transmission. The in | | |
