Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SOCIAL NETWORK APPLICATION FOR REAL ESTATE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a system and method and a software
application
for providing information and coordinating MLS databases for residential real
estate. The
application connects clients (potential purchasers) to agents and agents to
management.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The housing market in Canada is an essential building block for the entire
economy.
Large numbers of residential real estate transactions have the potential for
overwhelming the entire system. This is further complicated by the fact that a
large
percentage of buyers are first time buyers who are unfamiliar with the details
required to
review in a search for and buying a house.
A number of tools have been provided to assist the buyers and sellers and
their
agents in attempting to target a collection of suitable houses to relevant,
potential
purchasers. One of the most well-known is the MLS listing with MLS standing
for "Multiple
Listing Service." The MLS listing is generally a regionally based complex
database of
listings entered directly by real estate professionals. The database is
intended to act as
a trading platform to buy and sell real estate properties. When a property is
on the market
for sale it is added to the database and tracked through the sales transaction
cycle. MLS
listings is a source of information that provides data that fields real estate
service sites
like ZillowTM, Trulia TM, and AGENT.COM.
It is clear that there is a need for objectively sharing information amongst
the
various parties involved in a real estate transaction to provide an
efficiently operated
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system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a social network application (app), which, as
an
essential feature thereof, is implemented by way of computer technology.
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a computer-implemented
method
for managing real estate information on a social network. The social network
is
implemented by way of a web server communicatively coupled to a database
server and
to at least one networked mobile wireless telecommunication computing device
executing
a mobile application. The mobile application provides access to the web server
for real
estate customers, real estate agents, and real estate managers, and has shared
but
distinct features for each type of user. The method comprises collecting
multiple listing
service (MLS) data and storing the MLS data on the database server. The MLS
data
includes data relating to open houses associated with particular real estate
sites. The
method further comprises permitting the real estate customers to use the
mobile
application to communicate with the web server to access the MLS data stored
on the
database server to identify open houses from the MLS data stored on the
database
server, permitting the real estate agents to use the mobile application to
enter check-in
and check-out information regarding the real estate customers at the open
houses, and
permitting the real estate agents to use the mobile application to notify a
seller that a
respective one of the open houses has been concluded so that the seller may
reenter a
premises of that open house. Computer-implementation of the method and use of
the
networked mobile wireless telecommunication computing device is essential.
The method may further comprise providing safety features in the mobile
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application to alert emergency personnel if danger arises at the open house.
In some embodiments of the method, the database server and the web server are
both hosted on a common computer system.
In other aspects, the present invention is directed to a networked mobile
wireless
telecommunication computing device configured for computer-implementation of
the
above-described method for managing real estate information on a social
network, and
to a computer-program product comprising a tangible computer-readable medium
embodying computer-usable instructions which, when executed by at least one
processor
of at least one computer, cause the at least one computer to manage real
estate
information on a social network according to the above-described method
wherein the
tangible computer-readable medium embodying computer-usable instructions is
essential.
The app has the following features:
1. Compare Homes - Allows for comparing multiple homes at once on one
screen with the ability to toggle between multiple comparable options
including basic
specs, descriptions, pictures (both posted and users), videos (both posted and
users),
and user notes.
2. Check-in/outITrackinq/Safety ¨ GPS enabled home check in/out to meet the
needs of the buyer, seller, real estate agent (agent), and broker-in-charge
(BIC)/office as
well as safety features.
a. Buyer
I. Check in ¨ When the buyer checks-in at the home, this can be done
at any
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time, they are capable of adding additional notes/pictures/videos to their
home to further
develop necessary information to drive a purchasing decision.
Check out ¨ When the buyer checks-out at the home they are prompted to
provide feedback. 1) It reminds the buyer to update their rating and comments
while the
showing is fresh on their mind. 2) It helps provide beneficial feedback to the
real estate
agent AND/OR seller. 3) Prompt the buyer if they need directions to the next
scheduled
appointment/home.
b. Seller
Check in ¨ Feature that allows the seller to know when the scheduled
showing appointment has begun as it notifies the seller through text/email
(their choice)
when the buyer/agent check-in.
ii.Check out ¨ Feature that allows the seller to know when the buyer and agent
have
finished their showing appointment. The seller will receive instant
notification through
text/email (their choice) when the showing has completed at their listed home
after the
buyer/agent check-out. This can be GPS enabled through GEO Boundary
Technology.
c. Agent ¨ Feature in place to increase schedule visibility with the
intention of
improved Agent safety and tracking aby authorized parties.
i.Check-in ¨Prompts dashboard on Agent's smart phone that gives them the
option to
access the home screen, notes/feedback, contact office, call 911, or go to
home screen.
Check-in also alerts BIC or designated office lead that the Agent has started
his/her
showing appointment.
Check-out ¨ When the Agent leaves the home the Agent is prompted to
check-out. The purpose of checking-out is to 1) Remind the Agent to obtain
feedback
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from the buyer that they can then submit to seller 2) Alert the seller the
showing is
complete and the home is vacant 3) Alert the BIC/office that the Agent has
completed the
scheduled showing 4) Prompt the Agent if they need directions to their next
scheduled
showing/home. This can be automated by GEO Boundary.
d. BIC/Office
Check-in ¨ Alerts office that the Agent has begun his/her showing and starts
a timer. The timer allows the office to track how long the Agent has been at
the home
with the buyer. The office can adjust the settings on when to contact the
Agent if the
appointment has extended past the standard period (for instance, if the Agent
has not
checked out after one hour the office will be notified via test/email/alert to
contact the
Agent to ensure everything is ok).
Check-out ¨ Notifies the office that the agent has ended his/her scheduled
showing.
3. Home Linked Communication ¨ One source of communication between the app
users and/or Agents separated into different files for each home in
conversation. File can
contain all previous conversations/pictures/videos/notes/calendar history will
also
connect with the user's calendar to link scheduled showings/open house to
user's
calendar. This revolves around photo of home and MLS number (if available.)
4. Feedback - While viewing homes the customer or agent will have a
feedback
screen appear or be an option on the showing screen. It will automatically ask
for
feedback (if GPS enabled) when checking out of a home after a showing. The
agent will
receive all feedback from the customer viewing the home after the buyer/user
has
completed feedback and checkout (this will be the listing agent if the buyer
has not
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selected an agent). In the case of the buyer having an agent, the feedback
will first be
received and is editable by the agent and then can be forwarded to the listing
agent or
designated contact. If there are multiple showings in one day, all feedback
can be sent
with one button, or each can be viewed/edited and sent one at a time.
5. Communicating Appointments (Showings) - After an appointment(s) is
requested which may be done through a link to a designated app source, the
agent can
confirm appointment(s), which will go to the "Scheduled Appointments" section
of the
application. Appointments will show up in the order of the scheduled
appointment(s) with
a time stamp of the slotted time confirmed. This screen also tracks past
showings in order
of the date and shows that the showing has been completed when both check-out
(triggered by the check-out feature above) and feedback has been sent. The
appointment
will not be completed or time-stamped until both of the above are completed.
6. 3 Star Rating System ¨ Measure of rating on a scale of 3 stars (1 being
the lowest,
3 being the highest). This rating system can be updated through the home
buying process
and dictates the order or ranking of viewed homes as seen on the "Favorites"
screen.
This rating is visible to the buyer's agent (if he/she has selected an agent)
and helps the
agent understand the buyer's favorites. The buyer can also move homes up or
down by
sliding the listing info up or down to give them a preference order with homes
of the same
3 star rating. When they select a home to "in the top 3" it will automatically
replace the
previously ranked 3rd home on the favorite page. The rating is visible to the
buyer's agent
(if selected) and helps the agent understand the buyer's favorites.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 schematically illustrates the operation of a social network in which
a
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networked mobile wireless telecommunication computing device communicates with
a
web server which in turn communicates with one or more databases.
Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1, with web browsers executing on a laptop
computer
and a desktop computer.
Figure 3 is a block diagram showing logic layers executing on the web server
of
Figure 1 to facilitate the operation of the social network.
Figure 3A is a block diagram showing an exemplary computer system in respect
of which aspects of the present technology may be implemented.
Figure 3B is a block diagram showing an exemplary smartphone in respect of
which aspects of the present technology may be implemented.
Figure 4 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 5 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 6 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 7 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 8 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 9 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 10 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 11 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 12 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 13 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 14 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 15 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 16 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
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Figure 17 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 18 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 19 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 20 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 21 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 22 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 23 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 24 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 25 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 26 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 27 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 28 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 29 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 30 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 31 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 32 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 33 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 34 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 35 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 36 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 37 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 38 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 39 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
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=
Figure 40 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
Figure 41 depicts a display screen as it appears on a mobile app.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The application of this invention is adaptable for three separate sets of
users, all
within a single application. The application provides for customer interface
on one hand,
a real estate agent on the other hand, and yet a third level for real estate
managers. The
applications will be discussed in the following description with regard to the
above entities
in the same order. In all three categories, the application searches MLS
database for
residential real estate, which is a starting, point for the three categories
of users. The
technology for carrying out the process of this application is described
below.
THE TECHNOLOGY
Certain aspects of the technology for carrying out the process of the current
application is illustrated in Figures 1 through 3B. The technology for the
mobile
application provides a database for a web server, which is in communication
through a
social networking technology with the mobile application as illustrated in
Fig. 1.
More particularly, as illustrated in Fig. 1, as an essential element of the
claimed
invention a networked mobile wireless telecommunication computing device,
shown for
illustrative purposes as a smartphone 102, communicates, e.g. via the
Internet, with a
web server 104 which in turn communicates with one or more databases 106 to
implement the operation of a social network. The database 106 may be hosted on
the
web server 104, i.e. the database server and the web server may be hosted on a
common
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computer system, or on a different computer system (e.g. a separate database
server
108 as shown in Fig. 3) with communication therebetween being by way of a
local area
network, wide area network or the Internet, for example. In the illustrated
embodiment
the smartphone 102 executes the mobile application as a web application (i.e.
an HTML
program executing in a web browser) which sends service requests to the web
server
104 using the SOAP protocol and receives responses from the web server 104 in
XML
(eXtended Markup Language) format for display in the web browser.
Native
implementations of the mobile application (e.g. for the iOS or Android
operating systems)
are also contemplated. Fig. 2 illustrates an arrangement similar to that shown
in Figure
1, implementing website communication with similar technology including a
database
server 108 implementing the database 106 and a web server 104 in communication
with
web browsers executing on a laptop computer 110 and a desktop computer 112.
Figure 2 is a block diagram showing logic layers executing on the web server
104
to facilitate the operation of the social network. The logic layers include a
presentation
layer 320, an access layer 322, a business logic layer 324 and a data access
layer 326.
The access layer 322 receives web service requests (e.g. SOAP protocol
requests from
the smartphone 102) and passes them to the business logic layer 324 after
suitable
processing. The business logic layer 324 then executes on the request,
typically
communicating with the data access layer 326 to retrieve data from and/or
store data in
the database(s) 106. The business logic layer 324 can be implemented in any
suitable
language(s), including C Sharp (C#), Visual Basic or another suitable
programming
language (e.g. an object oriented programming (00P) language). The data access
layer
326 may be implemented in any suitable language(s), including C Sharp (C#),
Visual
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Basic or another suitable programming language, or may implement tools such as
NHibernate, CodeSmith, or Dlinq, for example. The presentation layer 320
presents the
results from execution of the business logic layer 324, and may implement ASP
(Active
Server Pages), the .NET Framework, and/or Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), for
example.
The present invention may be embodied within a system, a method, a computer
program product or any combination thereof. The computer program product may
include
a computer readable storage medium or media having computer readable program
instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the
present
technology. The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that
can
retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The
computer
readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an
electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage
device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the
foregoing.
A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable
storage
medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a
random
access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-
only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a
portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk
(DVD), a
memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards
or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any
suitable
combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used
herein, is
not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or
other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a
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waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a
fiber-optic
cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
It will be understood that the present invention can be implemented by
computer
readable program instructions. Computer readable program instructions
described
herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer
readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device
via a
network. Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of
the
present technology may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture
(ISA)
instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode,
firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written
in any
combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented
programming language or a conventional procedural programming language. The
computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's
computer,
partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's
computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or
server.
In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's
computer
through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide
area network
(WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example,
through
the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments,
electronic
circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-
programmable gate
arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer
readable
program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable
program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to implement
aspects of the
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present technology.
These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of
a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable
data
processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which
execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus,
create
means for implementing aspects of the mobile application described herein.
These
computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer
readable
storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing
apparatus,
and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the
computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein includes an article of
manufacture
including instructions which implement aspects of the mobile application
described
herein.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,
other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a
series of
operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable
apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the
instructions
which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device
implement aspects of the mobile application described herein.
An illustrative computer system in respect of which aspects of the technology
herein described may be implemented is presented as a block diagram in Figure
3A. The
illustrative computer system is denoted generally by reference numeral 400 and
includes
a display 402, input devices in the form of keyboard 404A and pointing device
404B,
computer 406 and external devices 408. While pointing device 404B is depicted
as a
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mouse, it will be appreciated that other types of pointing device, or a touch
screen, may
also be used.
The computer 406 may contain one or more processors or microprocessors, such
as a central processing unit (CPU) 410. The CPU 410 performs arithmetic
calculations
and control functions to execute software stored in an internal memory 412,
preferably
random access memory (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM), and possibly
additional
memory 414. The additional memory 414 may include, for example, mass memory
storage, hard disk drives, optical disk drives (including CD and DVD drives),
magnetic
disk drives, magnetic tape drives (including LTO, DLT, DAT and DCC), flash
drives,
program cartridges and cartridge interfaces such as those found in video game
devices,
removable memory chips such as EPROM or PROM, emerging storage media, such as
holographic storage, or similar storage media as known in the art. This
additional memory
414 may be physically internal to the computer 406, or external as shown in
Figure 4, or
both.
The computer system 400 may also include other similar means for allowing
computer programs or other instructions to be loaded. Such means can include,
for
example, a communications interface 416 which allows software and data to be
transferred between the computer system 400 and external systems and networks.
Examples of communications interface 416 can include a modem, a network
interface
such as an Ethernet card, a wireless communication interface, or a serial or
parallel
communications port. Software and data transferred via communications
interface 416
are in the form of signals which can be electronic, acoustic, electromagnetic,
optical or
other signals capable of being received by communications interface 416.
Multiple
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interfaces, of course, can be provided on a single computer system 400.
Input and output to and from the computer 406 is administered by the
input/output
(I/O) interface 418. This I/O interface 418 administers control of the display
402, keyboard
404A, external devices 408 and other such components of the computer system
400. The
computer 406 also includes a graphical processing unit (GPU) 420. The latter
may also
be used for computational purposes as an adjunct to, or instead of, the (CPU)
410, for
mathematical calculations.
The various components of the computer system 400 are coupled to one another
either directly or by coupling to suitable buses.
Figure 3B shows an exemplary networked mobile wireless telecommunication
computing device, in the form of a smartphone 500, in respect of which aspects
of the
technology herein described may be implemented. The smartphone 500 includes a
display 502, an input device in the form of keyboard 504 and an onboard
computer system
506. The display 502 may be a touchscreen display and thereby serve as an
additional
input device, or as an alternative to the keyboard 504. The onboard computer
system
506 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 510 having one or more
processors or
microprocessors for performing arithmetic calculations and control functions
to execute
software stored in an internal memory 512, preferably random access memory
(RAM)
and/or read only memory (ROM) is coupled to additional memory 514 which will
typically
comprise flash memory, which may be integrated into the smartphone 500 or may
comprise a removable flash card, or both. The smartphone 500 also includes a
communications interface 516 which allows software and data to be transferred
between
the smartphone 500 and external systems and networks. The communications
interface
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516 is coupled to one or more wireless communication modules 524, which will
typically
comprise a wireless radio for connecting to one or more of a cellular network,
a wireless
digital network or a Wi-Fi network. The communications interface 516 will also
typically
enable a wired connection of the smartphone 500 to an external computer
system. A
microphone 526 and speaker 528 are coupled to the onboard computer system 506
to
support the telephone functions managed by the onboard computer system 506,
and a
location services module 522 (e.g. including GPS receiver hardware) may also
be
coupled to the communications interface 516 to support navigation operations
by the
onboard computer system 506. One or more cameras 530 (e.g. front-facing and/or
rear
facing cameras) may also be coupled to the onboard computer system 506. The
camera(s) 530 may be used to capture an image of a home or a portion of an
interior of
a home (e.g. a room), and/or an image of a customer and/or an image of an
agent, for
further handling according to the present disclosure. Input and output to and
from the
onboard computer system 506 is administered by the input/output (I/O)
interface 518,
which administers control of the display 502, keyboard 504, microphone 526,
speaker
528 and camera 530. The onboard computer system 506 may also include a
separate
graphical processing unit (GPU) 520. The various components are coupled to one
another either directly or by coupling to suitable buses.
The terms "computer system", "data processing system" and related terms, as
used herein, are not limited to any particular type of computer system and
encompasses
servers, desktop computers, laptop computers, networked mobile wireless
telecommunication computing devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, as
well
as other types of computer systems.
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Thus, computer readable program code for implementing aspects of the
technology described herein may be contained or stored in the memory 512 of
the
onboard computer system 506 of the smartphone 500 or the memory 412 of the
computer
406, or on a computer usable or computer readable medium external to the
onboard
computer system 506 of the smartphone 500 or the computer 406, or on any
combination
thereof.
Operation of an exemplary implementation of the mobile application will now be
described.
Definitions:
1. Customers are people who are searching for a home within a geographical
area. They can search by street, city, zip code, or schools. The client has
the entire suite
of tools necessary for managing the searching and buying process of their new
home
from start to finish.
2. Real estate agents are the sellers and buyers agent for the customers.
The
agent can manage all their clients, schedule appointments, chat with clients,
and more
within the application.
3. Real estate managers are the people responsible for overseeing agents.
The application allows them to view agents checking in and check out status,
receive
emergency alerts and more.
CUSTOMER VERSION
The customer version is designed specifically for the end user (customer). The
main focus is to give the customer one place to search, communicate with their
agent,
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compare, rank, organize and give feedback on homes.
The home screen is the main landing page of the mobile application. Customers
can access the general features by clicking on the various icons.
The application is unique in that it has a section "My Files." The customer
application is a set of features that are related to a specific home that the
customer has
selected from the search results. Think of this as a filing cabinet with the
following built-
in features and icons:
= My notes
= My photos
= My videos
= My recordings
= My showings
= Agent Chat
This feature allows the customer to build its own virtual file on the home(s)
they
are searching. These features are specific to a single home. Each home has its
own
file/section.
The customer version can be accessed from a website and or downloaded from
iTunes or Google Market Place to the customer's mobile device (phone or
tablet).
The simple search features searches the MLS database based on the customers
search criteria. The simple search feature is located at the top of the
application on all
pages throughout the app.
The search can be based on one or more of the following:
= City and State
= School
= Zip Code
The application searches the MLS database based on the customers search
criteria. The customer can then save the search criteria for later use. Once
the user finds
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=
the home, they can add to favorites or start using these features. The
following is a list
of features found in the left slide out menu, also illustrated in Fig. 4.
Features:
Search Tools:
= Advanced search
= Saved searches
= Open houses
= Agent suggested homes
Settings:
= My Profile
= Manage real estate
= Favorite homes
= Schedule showing
= Share Quitchet/Improve Quitchet
= Terms of Use
= Sign out
When the user selects "Advanced Search" from the left menu, the screen
illustrated in Fig. 5 will appear in the body of the application. The customer
can click
"Save & Search" (this will save the search criteria to the customers Saved
searches or
they can simply click "Search."
Features:
= Home for sale
= Homes under contract
= Homes recently sold
= By price
= Number of beds
= Number of baths
= Home type
= Key words (features)
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When the user selects "saved searches" from the left menu, the screen of Fig.
6
will appear in the body of the application. The customer can select the
previously saved
search from the list.
Features:
= Displays number of homes in that search criteria
= Lists the saved search title
= Delete selected saved searches
When the user selects "Open Houses" from the left menu, the screen of Fig. 7
will
appear in the body of the application. The customer can select one of the Home
icons to
reveal the details of the home. The customer can search a specific area for
Open Houses
or they will show the ones in the saved search area(s). The customer can
select "open
houses" to create a saved "tour" and the app will map them to each home and
open files
on each home via GPS enabling or manually.
Features:
= Address
= Main photo
= Beds
= Baths
= Square footage
= Price
= More Link (right arrow)
= Directions
When the user selects "Agent Suggested Homes" from Figure 8 menu, the screen
to the right will appear in the body of the application. The customer can view
all the homes
their agent has suggested for them to review (map view or list view.)
Features:
= Address
= Main photo
= Beds
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CA 3010392 2018-07-04
= Baths
= Square footage
= Price
= More Link (right arrow)
= Directions
When the user selects "My Profile" from the left menu, the screen of Fig. 9
will
appear in the body of the application. The customer can edit their basic
information.
Features:
= First name
= Last name
= Email
= Password
When the user selects "Manage real estate agent" from the left menu, the
screen
of Fig. 10 will appear in the body of the application. The customer can search
for local
agents, they can:
Features:
= Call
= Text
= Remove agent
= Add agent
When a customer selects an agent as "My Agent" all other agents names and
information will be hidden until or unless the customer removes that agent
designated as
their agent.
When the user selects "Share" from the left menu, the screen of Fig. 11 will
appear
in the body of the application. The customer can help us improve the app by
leaving us
some feedback. They can also share the app with others.
Features:
= Improve the app
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= Facebook
= Twitter
= Text message
= Email
When the user selects "Terms of use" from the left menu, the screen to the
right
will appear in the body of the application. The customer can read the
corporate Terms of
Use for the mobile app.
Referring to Fig. 13, the main page of the app is the Map page. This page is
has
many features for the customer.
Features by reference number:
1. Left icon: By reference number, link to left menu features, search and
settings.
2. Quick Search: type in city, state, or school.
3. Right icon: Link to right menu features in My tools.
4. Logo: Link back to main map page.
5. Draw icon: Draw on app the area search boundaries.
6. Map icon: Searches homes based on customer current location/GPS
location.
7. Search icon: Filter homes by for sale, under contract, recently sold,
price,
beds and baths.
8. Home pop up window: shows basic information about home selected.
9. Map icons: Color coded map icons showing location of homes.
10. Map button: Takes user back to home page (this page).
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CA 3010392 2018-07-04
11. List button: Shows the homes based on the search criteria in a
list view.
The app has a set of tools designed specifically for the customer. The tools
are
located on the right slide out menu illustrated in Fig. 14. The following is a
list of features
found in the right slide out menu.
Features:
= Favorite homes
= Scheduled appointments
= Agent chat messages
= Compare homes
The app allows the customer to take any home found in their search results and
add/remove them to a "Favorite homes" list. The following is a list of
features found in
the once a home has been added to the Favorite homes section.
Features:
= Images (scroll left and right)
= MLS details (scroll up and down)
= Remove home from Favorites
= Share home with agent
= Compare home against other favorite homes
= Listed by star rating.
The application allows the customer to request a showing (if they have an
agent
the request goes to their agent, or if not, the request always goes to the
listing/sellers
agent). The agent will be notified, once the agent sets the date and time for
the showing
it will notify the customer and display in Scheduled showings. Once accepted
this will
populate the customer and agent's calendar.
Features as illustrated in Fig. 15:
= Back to search
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= Chat with agent
= Directions to the home
= Listed showings by date and time
= List of past showings
= "I viewed the home"
= "I left feedback"
The application allows the customer and the associated agent to chat (within
the
app) around each home. This ensures that all conversation (chats) are grouped
and
stored within the appropriate home. The Agent chat messages is a list of all
the homes
that have a chat session. The customer can select the home and review/start or
continue
a chat dialog. The most recent is always at the top and unanswered chat on
each home
will be indicated by a bubble icon.
Features (Fig. 16):
= Back to search
= Chat with agent
= List of homes with chat session
= Separated by general chat with agent and by homes
Once the customer selects a home that has a chat history (see above Agent chat
message) they are taken to the actual chat message history.
Features (Fig. 17):
= Back to search
= Schedule a showing
= My Files
= Add to favorites
= Display house details
= Email agent
= Call agent
= Picture of customer and agent
= Enter message
= Link to Map/Home
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,=
The Compare Homes feature allows the customer to select as many homes as
they desire from the "Favorite Homes" list. Once the homes are selected and
then added
to the "Compare Homes" page, the customer can compare all the details side by
side with
each home.
Features (Fig. 18):
= Back to search
= My favorite homes
= Images (slide left and right)
= MLS details (slide up and down)
= My Files (access all personal images, notes, video, audio, scheduled
showing and chat messages).
The Closer Look ¨ Compare Homes feature allows the customer to access all the
apps
that makeup My Files.
Features (Fig. 19):
= Back to search
= Home details
= Email agent
= Call agent
= Add/edit notes
= Add/edit photos
= Add/edit video
= Add/edit voice recording
= Request showing
= Driving directions
= Chat with agent
= Top 3
= Rate this home (3 star)
The Closer Look ¨ Home Details is the main page of all homes in the system.
When selected the customer can see all of the MLS details.
Features:
= Back to search
= Chat with agent
= Schedule showing
= My Files
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= Add to Favorites
= MLS details
= Directions
= Email agent
= Call agent
The Closer Look ¨ Showing Feedback feature allows the customer to send
feedback on the home (after they have visited) back to their showing agent. If
they don't
have a selected agent it will go directly to the listing agent.
Features (Fig. 20):
= Speech or text general comment
= Type general comments
= Sent to agent via email
= Auto updated on Scheduled showing that Feedback was left.
The agent version is designed specifically for the professional agent. The
main
focus is to give the agent one place to search, communicate with their
customers,
compare, rank, organize and give feedback on homes. The agent version has all
of the
features of the customer version but has additional features as described
below.
The agent status is the main landing page of the agent version mobile
application.
The agent has several options once they log in.
Features (Fig. 21):
= Check in to the property
= Check out of the property
= My customer
= Leave feedback
= Contact my agency
= Dial 911
The agent version can be accessed from a website and or downloaded from iTunes
or
Google Market Place to the customer mobile device (phone or table).
Agents have access to the customers they are connected with and users who are
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requesting to be customers. Agents can click the "Favorite homes" next to
their customer
and access the customers' options. This feature connects the agent and the
customer
with each and every home added to favorites by the customer.
Features (Fig. 22):
= Your buyers (remove, connect, share)
= Your sellers
= Pending buyer user request
= Pending seller user request
The agent version can be accessed from a website and/or downloaded from
iTunes or Google Market Place to the customer mobile device (phone or tablet).
The simple search feature searches the MLS database on the agents search
criteria entered (city and state, zip code, school). The agent can also search
for
customers or users based on first name or last name. The simple search feature
is
located at the top of the application on all pages throughout the app.
The customer can search based on:
= Customer (first or last name)
= City and State
= School
= Zip Code
The agent app searches the MLS database based on the agents search criteria.
The agent can then save the search criteria for later use. Once the agent
finds the home,
they can add to their customers "My Favorites."
Features (Fig. 23):
Search Tools
= Advanced search
= Saves searches
= Open houses
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Settings
= My profile
= Manager user request
= Share Quitchet/lmprove Quitchet
= Terms of Use
= Sign Out
Closer Look ¨ Advanced Search: When the agent selects "Advanced Search" from
the menu of Fig. 24, the screen will appear in the body of the application.
The agent can
set their search criteria and can click "Save & Search" (this will save the
search criteria to
their Saved searches) or they can simply click "Search."
Features (Fig. 24):
= Home for sale
= Homes under contract
= Homes recently sold
= By Price
= Number of beds
= Number of baths
= Home type
= Key words (features)
When the agent selects "Saved Searches" from the menu, the screen of Fig. 25
will appear in the body of the application. The agent can select a previously
saved search
from the list.
Features (Fig. 25):
= Displays number of houses in that search criteria
= Lists the saved search title
= Delete selected saved searches
When the agent selects "Open Houses" from the menu, the screen of Fig. 26 will
appear in the body of the application. The agent can select one of the Home
icons to
reveal the details of the home. The agent can search a specific area for Open
Houses or
they will show the ones in their saved search area(s). The agent can "add an
open house"
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CA 3010392 2018-07-04
,
if they wish to schedule one of their listings for a future date and time.
This will show to
all users in the open house search field.
Features (Fig. 26):
= Address
= Main photo
= Beds
= Baths
= Square foot
= Price
= More link (right arrow)
= Directions
When the agent selects "My Profile" of Fig. 27 from the menu, the screen will
appear in the body of the application. The agent can edit their basic
information and can
also add/edit a full profile visible to all users. A "buyer's packet" can be
forwarded to any
customer through the app when selected as an agent by a user and accepted by
the
agent as a customer.
Features (Fig. 27):
= First name
= Last name
= Email
= Password
They can also add/edit a full profile visible to all users, add a "buyer's
packet" that
can be forwarded to any customer via the app when selected as an agent by a
user and
accepted by app as a customer function.
Closer Look ¨ Manager user request: When the agent selects "Manage user
request" from the left menu, the screen of Fig. 28 will appear in the body of
the application.
The agent can manage user request to join as a customer if so desired.
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CA 3010392 2018-07-04
Features (Fig. 27):
= Call
= Text
= Deny as customer
= Add as customer
When an agent selects "Add as customer" an email and text will be
automatically
sent to the user welcoming them as a new customer. This will include the
"buyer packet"
if created by that agent. The user is then added to the Agent customer (home)
screen
once they have accepted the invitation. This agent becomes that users "My
Agent."
When the agent selects "Share" of Fig. 29 from the left menu, the screen will
appear in the body of the application. The agent can help improve the app by
leaving
feedback. They can also share information with others.
Features (Fig. 29):
= Improve this app
= Facebook
= Twitter
= Text Message
= Email
When the agent selects "Terms of Use" from the left menu, agent can read the
corporate Terms of Use for the mobile app.
When the agent searches for homes in the agent version, the results are
displayed
in a Map view. The agent has access to several features:
Features list:
1. Left icon: link to left menu features, search & settings.
2. Quick Search: type in city, state, or school.
3. Right icon: link to right menu features in My tools.
4. Logo: link back to main map page
5. Draw icon: draw on app the area search boundaries.
6. Map icon: searches homes based on customer current location/GPS
location.
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CA 3010392 2018-07-04
7. Search icon: filter homes by for sale, under contract, recently sold,
price,
beds and baths.
8. Home pop up window: shows basic information about home selected.
9. Map icons: color coded map icons showing location of homes.
10. Map button: takes user back to homepage (this page).
11. List button: shows the homes based on the search criteria in a list view.
When the agent selects a home from the search results, the details of the home
(pulled from MLS) will be displayed. The agent can add this home to their
customer(s)
"Agent suggested homes" section within the customer app.
Features:
= MLS details
= Directions
= Share with Customers
= Image slider
Agent Tools
The agent version has a set of agent tools designed specifically for the
agent. The
tools are located on the right slide out menu (Fig. 30.)
Features:
= My customers
= Schedule an appointment
= Scheduled appointments
= Customer chat messages
= Compare homes
= Showing feedback
= Check In/Out
When the agent clicks on "My Customers" the agent has access to the customer
and user who is requesting to be a customer. The agent can manage their
customers
and access each customer "My Favorite Homes."
Features (Fig. 31):
= Phone
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CA 3010392 2018-07-04
= Chat
= Remove customers
= Add customers
= Deny user request
= Access Favorite homes (by customer)
Closer Look ¨ Schedule An Appointment
When a customer requests a showing the agent is notified via mobile pop up.
The
agent can then view all the showing requests grouped by customer. When order
is
selected all phone appointments are grouped by contact telephone number with
time slots
noted by each home. The agent can place multiple appointments in order by
sliding up
and down the list view and assign them a date. They can also be arranged in
map view
by touching the home screen. The agent can phone or contact the MLS indicated
party
(individual or appointment contact company) populated from the MLS information
to
schedule a showing. The appointment can be expedited through the scheduler of
the
application. The agent would then select the date and time and the app would
notify
customer via the app with the details after the appointment has been
confirmed.
Features (Fig. 32):
= Customer information
= Home details
= Direct text or email chat
= Designated contact company or Listing Agent phone, text, email or link
to schedule appointment (from MLS data)
= Schedule showing
= PRO app shows the listing agent contact name and listing number and
email in this view and scheduled showing view for ease of contact prior to
or during showing session.
When the agent sets the appointment in the app, the application will set the
date
and time of the appointment in the calendar of agents customer and the agent
opt to send
the listing agent and seller an email or text alert when arriving and leaving
the
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appointment.
Features (Fig. 33):
= Notify seller and listing agent
= Set date and time range
The agent can view all scheduled appointments for each customer. Once the
agent has scheduled an appointment the agent can view in their mobile calendar
on this
page.
Features (Fig. 34):
= Customer name
= Showing date and time
= Email customer
= Call customer
= Directions: (always takes you from your present location if GPS is
activated) ¨ if not it will show from your designated "home" start point in
your
GPS.
= MLS details (and image slider)
= Check in/Check Out alert or manual function = when the agent enters the
home, GPS will trigger a 5 grid screen (or it can be manually done) to give
options to:
o View home
o Enter feedback
o Check in
o Check out
o Emergency alert
The agent version allows the agent to check in and out of a showing.
= Check in/Check out alert functions appear when the agent enters the home
GPS will trigger a 6 grid screen to give options to:
(FIG. 35)
= My Customers
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= Contact my agency
= Leave feedback
= Check in ¨ this button can activate app needed for lock box access
= Check out
= Emergency alert
Closer look ¨ Customer chat messages
The agent app allows the agent and customers to chat around each home. This
ensures that all conversations (chats) are grouped and stored within the
appropriate
home. The Customer chat message is a list of all the homes that have a chat
session.
The agent can select the home and review/start or continue a chat dialog. The
most
recent is always at the top and an unanswered chat on each home will be
indicated by a
bubble icon.
Features (Fig. 36):
= Back to search
= Chat with customer or agent on each home
= List of homes with chat session
= Separated by general chat with customer and by homes.
Closer Look ¨ Customer Chat ¨ History
Once the agent selects the chat icon on a home (see above) the agent is taken
to
the chat history between the customer and agent around that home.
Features (Fig. 37):
= Back to search
= Schedule a showing
= My Favorites
= Add to Favorites
= Display House Details
= Email customer
= Call customer
= Picture of customer and agent
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= Enter message
= Link to Map/Home
The Compare Homes feature allows the customer to select as many homes as
they desire from the "Favorite Homes" list. Once the homes are selected and
then added
to the "Compare Homes" page the customer can compare all the details side by
side for
each home.
Features (Fig. 38):
= Back to search
= My Favorite homes
= Images (slide left and right)
= MLS details (slide up and down)
= Home Page (access all personal images, notes, video, audio, scheduled
showing and chat messages.)
The Closer Look feature allows the agent to access all the apps that make up
the
customer version for each customer.
Features (Fig. 39):
= Back to search
= Home details
= Email agent
= Call agent
= Add/edit notes
= Add/edit photos
= Add/edit video
= Add/edit voice recording
= Request showing
= Driving directions
= Chat with agent
The Closer Look ¨ Showing Feedback ¨ form
This feature allows the agent to complete the feedback based on the comments
given to them by the buyer and then send feedback on the home (after they have
visited)
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back to their account to be forwarded later to the listing agent.
Features (Fig. 40):
= Speech to text general comment
= Type general comments
= Sent to agent via email
= Auto updated on Scheduled showing that Feedback was left.
The Closer Look ¨ Showing Feedback ¨ Manager
This feature allows the agent to view and send the feedback to the listing
agent.
Features (Fig. 41):
= Phone or chat with customer
= Send feedback to listing agent
= Add feedback for customer
= Phone, text or email listing agent
There are additional features within the agent version to allow for the
schedule of
showings through the chat features and link to the listing, setting up
schedules, showings
and verification through the appropriate contact, either a call or showing
center, listing
company, listing agent or individual, as designated in the listing
information. This can be
done by text, email, or hyperlink. After confirmation, it is forwarded to the
customer for
acceptance and loaded into their calendar.
The agent version also has an additional feature that begins to establish
procedures for closing. It allows the agent to schedule inspections, link to
inspectors,
attorneys, and all other parties involved in the closing process. The agent
version has
safety features; one feature allows the "safety showing screen" to remain on
the agent's
screen during the open house. They will check in for the start of the open
house and
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CA 3010392 2018-07-04
check out when all is clear and they are in their car safely. A "911" button
is always up
for emergency use. The Agent or the Customer viewing the open house can also
complete feedback while viewing the home and send it to the listing agent who
can then
forward to the seller for completion of the open house. The seller then knows
that it is
safe to return to the property.
The Manager App
The Manager version is designed specifically for the manager of the agents.
The
manager can view each agent's scheduled showings. The manager can view the
scheduled times, check in and check out status, and how long the agent has
been
Agent picture
Phone number / link
Dial 911
Appointment date and time
Address
MLS number
Map link
Customer name and phone number
Check status with time stamp
Check out with time stamp
Timer which stays running until check out
Data gathering to create reports for agents on items such as the number of
homes shown until sale, miles traveled, number of customers lost/not converted
to sale,
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=
etc.
As can be seen from the above description, the systems and methods for
managing real estate information described herein represent significantly more
than
merely using categories to organize, store and transmit information and
organizing
information through mathematical correlations. The systems and methods for
managing
real estate information are in fact an improvement to the technology of access
control for
the premises at which open houses are conducted, as they permit the real
estate agents
to enter check-in and check-out information regarding the real estate
customers at the
open houses and to notify a seller that a respective one of the open houses
has been
concluded. This facilitates the ability of the seller to reenter the premises
of that open
house sooner and with greater certainty. Moreover, the systems and methods for
managing real estate information are confined to residential real estate
applications.
One or more currently preferred embodiments have been described by way of
example. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications
and variations
are possible without departing from the scope of the claims as purposively
construed. In
construing the claims, it is to be understood that the use of a computer
(including for
greater certainty a networked mobile wireless telecommunication computing
device) to
implement the embodiments described herein is essential.
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