TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention generally relates to improved online real-estate actions.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0003] Real estate actions, such as the selling, buying, renting and managing of real estate, are time intensive involving the duplication of establishing identity as well as completing various application forms.

[0004] The preferred embodiment enables time savings when conducting such real estate actions.

[0005] Furthermore, real estate actions usually involve the use of an agent who takes a commission for work performed.

[0006] The preferred embodiment also enables monetary savings by removing the need for an agent.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for performing an online real-estate related action, the method involving using a software program to perform the steps of:

establishing a secure profile of a client; and

enabling the client to select the action to perform. [0008] The method may involve exiting the software program, and then performing the step of enabling selection of the action directly upon re-entry to the software program without the need to re-perform the step of establishing thereby saving time.

[0009] Preferably, the method further involves the step of controlling the selected action without the use of an agent thereby saving on cost.

[00010] The step of establishing may involve using digital fingerprinting. The step of establishing the profile may involve the steps of:

establishing the identity of the client for approval of actions; and

establishing the income of the client.

[00011 ] The step of establishing may involve importing supporting documents. The action may involve selling, buying, renting, managing, financing or insuring a property. The method may further involve the step of suggesting one or more prioritized deals to the client related to the action.

[00012] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for performing a real-estate related action, the system including a software program to perform the steps of:

establishing a secure profile of a client; and

enabling selection of the action to perform.

[00013] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00014] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [00015] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for performing a real-estate related action in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[00016] Figure 2 shows a method for performing an online real-estate related action using the system of Figure 1 ;

[00017] Figure 3 shows example bids provided from money lenders when a purchase action is selected;

[00018] Figure 4 shows the steps performed when arranging finance and insurance actions;

[00019] Figure 5 schematically shows selling, buying, renting and managing property actions which are performed using an App;

[00020] Figure 6a shows the steps for the selling property action of figure 5; [00021 ] Figure 6b shows the details for the selling property action of figure 6a; [00022] Figure 7a shows the steps for the buying property action of figure 5; [00023] Figure 7b shows the details for the buying property action of figure 7a; [00024] Figure 8a shows the steps for the renting property action of figure 5; [00025] Figure 8b shows the details for the renting property action of figure 8a; [00026] Figure 9 shows the steps for the managing property action of figure 5; and [00027] Appendix I shows various example real-estate related action scenarios.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system 1 00, as shown in figure 1 , for performing real-estate related actions. The actions involve securely selling, buying, renting, managing, financing and insuring a property using a range of service providers. The system 1 00 includes an App (i.e. application software program) on a computer 102 to perform the steps of establishing a secure profile of a client 104; and enabling the client 104 to select the action to perform.

[00029] The service providers include a lawyer 106 using computer 108 for exchanging contracts, deposits and settlements. An insurance company 1 1 0 is provided for using computer 1 12 to receive push notifications as queries and send back insurance offers or bids to the client 104. A bank 1 14 is provided for using computer 1 1 6 to receive push notifications as queries and send back landing offers or bids to the client 104. An accountant 1 18 is provided for using computer 120 to provide accounting advice. A building and pest inspector 1 24 using computer 126 is provided to provide building and pest reports. A maintenance service company 1 28 using computer 130 is provided to exchange quotes, repairs, reports and payments. A designer 132 using computer 134 is provided for providing services relating to videos, photos, copywriting, floor plans. An employer 1 36 using computer 138 is provided to update and verify employee details. A business partner 140 using computer 142 is provided for supplying services and advertising.

[00030] Each of the service providers is a client of the system 1 00 and establishes a secure profile before selecting actions to perform using the App on their computer. Each of the computers can communicate with each other over the Internet 144 to this end.

[00031 ] An example method 200 for performing an online real-estate related action is now described with reference to figure 2.

[00032] Initially, the method 200 involves using the App to perform the step of establishing a secure profile of a client 104. This involves step 202 of establishing the identity of the client 104 for approval of actions using digital fingerprinting. At step 204, the income of the client 1 04 is also established and supporting documents can be imported. At step 206, the client 104 selects the action to perform using the App.

[00033] The method 200 involves exiting the App, and then performing the step of selecting an action directly upon re-entry to the App without the need to re-establish the client profile thereby saving time. The App suggests one or more prioritized deals to the client 1 04 related to the selected action. [00034] For example, Figure 3 shows prioritized bids or offers presented to the client 104 from lenders 1 14 when selecting a purchase action. The App can then be used to automatically arrange the selected lending action, and associated property purchase without the use of an agent thereby saving money. Figure 4 shows the action steps performed by client 104 controlling the App for arranging finance and insurance.

[00035] Turning to figure 5, other real-estate related actions, controlled by the client 104 using the App, include selling a property 500, buying a property 502, renting a property 504 and managing a property or portfolio 506. These actions 500 - 504 are detailed in Figures 6 to 9.

[00036] Example action scenarios are outlines in Appendix I.

[00037] The client 104 will also be able to use the App to rate the performance of any of the service providers which will be fed back to other clients. The ratings include affordability and service criteria.

[00038] A client skilled in the art will appreciate that many embodiments and variations can be made without departing from the ambit of the present invention.

[00039] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect.

[00040] Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.