Real estate information exchange process and system

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.

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 said Internet network;   (b) means for sharing MLS property information between a first real estate agent and a client; and   (c) means for sharing said MLS property information between said first real estate agent and a second real estate agent; and   wherein said system is programmed to maintain a file of properties for sale that have been viewed by said client.   
     
     
         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 said 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 maintain a file of favorite properties that are selected by said client.   
     
     
         3 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 2  wherein said first real estate agent is provided access to view said file of favorite properties that are selected by said client. 
     
     
         4 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 2  wherein said system is programmed to maintain a file of properties for sale that have been viewed by said client. 
     
     
         5 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 4  wherein said first real estate agent is provided access to view said file of properties for sale that have been viewed by said client. 
     
     
         6 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 1  wherein said first real estate agent is provided access to view said file of properties for sale that have been viewed by said client. 
     
     
         7 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 1  wherein said system is adapted to maintain a file of favorite properties that are selected by said client. 
     
     
         8 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 1  wherein said first real estate agent is able to FAX, manually enter, or transfer to said system over said Internet network a disclosure of property defects. 
     
     
         9 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 8 , and wherein said disclosure of property defects is available for viewing by said second real estate agent. 
     
     
         10 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 2  wherein said first real estate agent is able to FAX, manually enter, or transfer to said system over said Internet network a disclosure of property defects. 
     
     
         11 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 10  including means for sharing MLS property information between said first real estate agent and a second real estate agent, and wherein said disclosure of property defects is available for viewing by said second real estate agent. 
     
     
         12 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 2  wherein said system is programmed to maintain a file of saved property search criteria of said client and wherein said first real estate agent is able to view said file of saved property search criteria of said client. 
     
     
         13 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 12  including means for sharing MLS property information between said first real estate agent and a second real estate agent, and wherein said second real estate agent is able to view said file of saved property search criteria of said client. 
     
     
         14 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 1  wherein said system is programmed to maintain a file of saved property search criteria of said client and wherein said first real estate agent is able to view said file of saved property search criteria of said client. 
     
     
         15 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 14 , and wherein said second real estate agent is able to view said file of saved property search criteria of said client. 
     
     
         16 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 2  including means for alerting said first real estate agent or a second real estate agent by said system sending an email to said first real estate agent or to said second real estate agent in response to said system detecting a beginning of each occurrence of a session by said client, and wherein said session includes said client communicating with said system over said Internet network. 
     
     
         17 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 1  including means for alerting said first real estate agent or said second real estate agent by said system sending an email to said first real estate agent or to said second real estate agent in response to said system detecting a beginning of each occurrence of a session by said client, and wherein said session includes said client communicating with said system over said Internet network. 
     
     
         18 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 1  wherein said first real estate agent includes a listing real estate agent, and wherein said system is programmed to provide to said listing agent a report showing how many times a listing was viewed over said Internet network by a user of said system and wherein said user includes said client or said second real estate agent. 
     
     
         19 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 18  wherein said system is programmed to provide to said listing agent the identity of said user. 
     
     
         20 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 18 , wherein said system is programmed to provide to said listing agent how many times said listing was saved to a file of favorite properties of said user, and wherein said system is programmed to maintain said file of favorite properties of said user. 
     
     
         21 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 2 , wherein said first real estate agent includes a listing real estate agent, and wherein said system is programmed to provide to said listing agent a report showing how many times a listing was viewed over said Internet network by a user of said system. 
     
     
         22 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 21 , and wherein said system is programmed to provide to said listing agent the identity of said user, and wherein said user includes said client or a second real estate agent that is representing said client. 
     
     
         23 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 21 , wherein said system is programmed to provide to said listing agent how many times said listing was saved to a file of favorite properties that are selected by said user, and wherein said system is programmed to maintain said file of favorite properties that are selected by said user. 
     
     
         24 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 2 , wherein said first real estate agent includes a listing real estate agent and wherein said system is programmed to provide to said listing real estate agent a comparison of the number of times a listing that is posted to said system by said listing agent is viewed during a predetermined period of time as compared to the number of times any other listing is viewed that is comparable to any selected parameter including price, location, amenities, or lot size with said listing during said predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         25 . The real estate information exchange process and system of  claim 1 , wherein said first real estate agent includes a listing real estate agent and wherein said system is programmed to provide to said listing real estate agent a comparison of the number of times a listing that is posted to said system by said listing agent is viewed during a predetermined period of time as compared to the number of times any other listing is viewed that is comparable to any selected parameter including price, location, amenities, or lot size with said listing during said predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . A real estate information exchange system comprising:
 (a) a computer operatively connected to an Internet network;   (b) means for sharing information regarding a property that is offered for sale between a first real estate agent and one or more other real estate agents, and   (c) wherein said information regarding said property that is offered for sale is disseminated by said first real estate agent to said one or more other real estate agents through said computer and is transmitted to said one or more other real estate agents over said Internet network.   
     
     
         35 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 34  wherein said information regarding said property that is offered for sale includes real estate data regarding said property that is offered for sale. 
     
     
         36 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 34  wherein said property that is offered for sale has not been placed on the MLS. 
     
     
         37 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 34  wherein said first real estate agent includes a listing real estate agent. 
     
     
         38 . The real estate information exchange system of  claim 34  wherein said system serves a clearinghouse for said first real estate agent to input said information regarding said property that is offered for sale prior to any of said information regarding said property that is offered for sale being placed in a MLS, and for said one or more other real estate agents to retrieve said information prior to said any of said information regarding said property that is offered for sale being placed in said MLS.