Patent Publication Number: US-2023153930-A1

Title: Computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to real estate contracts, and, more particularly, relates to a computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Real estate purchase agreements are generally drafted by a few select categories of qualified individuals, namely, real estate agents or attorneys. As a result, parties looking to buy and/or sell real estate are typically forced to solicit the assistance of these qualified individuals and wait for said individuals to draft, edit, revise, and finalize the subject purchase agreement before being able to proceed with the additional steps involved in a purchase and sale transaction, e.g., appraisal, financing, closing, etc. In many cases, this dependence on such a select group of individuals results in the loss of valuable time that may jeopardize the success of purchase and sale transactions, particularly where such transactions are time-sensitive, subject to conditions, or occurring in a market with more demand than supply. 
     There are some known computer-implemented methods and systems for generating contracts. These known methods and systems fail to provide adequate information and direction to putative buyers and/or seller. Additionally, these known methods and systems are also typically confusing to navigate through. 
     Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that beneficially allows any user to easily, quickly, and conveniently draft purchase and sale transactions from the comfort of an electronic device owned or utilized by the user. 
     With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process comprising the steps of providing a first electronic computing device of a first user and a computer server; communicatively coupling the first electronic computing device of the first user to the computer server over a wireless communication network and generating a digital graphical user interface (GUI) on an electronic display of the first computing device with a plurality of digital data input fields operably configured to receive alpha-numeric text; initiating a network-based remote easy contract formation session that includes selecting a plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device and inputting contract formation data into each of the plurality of digital data input fields; and generating a digital document in the network-based remote easy contract formation session with a plurality of independent preformed paragraphs each having at least one fillable contract data field disposed therein and assigned and filled in with, using an array data structure, to one of the plurality of digital data input fields to create a finalized digital document without any fillable contract data field therein and that is downloadable to the electronic display of the first computing device. 
     In accordance with another feature, the first electronic computing device of the first user is geographically located at a different physical building location than the computer server. 
     In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes the step of communicatively coupling the first electronic computing device of the first user to the computer server over the wireless communication network and registering into a user account resident on the computer server before generating the digital GUI on the electronic display of the first computing device. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process further comprises the step of generating the finalized digital document without fillable contract data field therein and that is transferrable from the electronic display of the first computing device to a second computing device of a second user over the wireless communication network. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process also includes a digital informational icon disposed proximal to each of the plurality of digital data input fields and having informational text included therein; and displaying the informational text on the electronic display of the first computing device upon selectively modulating the digital informational icon. 
     In accordance with the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows within the network-based remote easy contract formation session that collectively form part of selecting the plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device and the inputting contract formation data into each of the plurality of digital data input fields, the plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows generating before generation of the digital document in the network-based remote easy contract formation session with the plurality of independent preformed paragraphs. 
     In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention also includes the step of initiating, in lieu of the network-based remote easy contract formation session, a network-based remote do-it-yourself contract formation session that includes generating a digital document with a plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device, with a plurality of independent preformed paragraphs each having at least one digital data input field therein, and filling in the at least one digital data input field to create a finalized digital document without any fillable contract data field therein and that is downloadable to the electronic display of the first computing device. 
     In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows within the network-based remote do-it-yourself contract formation session that collectively form part of the digital document with the plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device. 
     In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process also includes selectively choosing on the first electronic computing device of a first user one of either the easy contract formation session or the do-it-yourself contract formation session. 
     The present invention also provides a computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process comprising the steps of providing a first electronic computing device of a first user and a computer server; communicatively coupling the first electronic computing device of the first user to the computer server over a wireless communication network and generating a digital graphical user interface (GUI) on an electronic display of the first computing device with a plurality of digital data input fields operably configured to receive alpha-numeric text; initiating a network-based remote easy contract formation session that includes inputting contract formation data into each of the plurality of digital data input fields in a plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows that collectively form part of selecting the plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device and the inputting contract formation data into each of the plurality of digital data input fields, the plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows generating before generation of the digital document in the network-based remote easy contract formation session with the plurality of independent preformed paragraphs; and generating a digital document in the network-based remote easy contract formation session with a plurality of independent preformed paragraphs each having at least one fillable contract data input field disposed therein and assigned and filled in with one of the plurality of contract formation data to create a finalized digital document. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process comprising the steps of providing a first electronic computing device of a first user and a computer server; communicatively coupling the first electronic computing device of the first user to the computer server over a wireless communication network and generating a digital graphical user interface (GUI) on an electronic display of the first computing device with a plurality of digital data input fields operably configured to receive alpha-numeric text; and initiating a network-based remote do-it-yourself contract formation session that includes generating a digital document on the electronic display of the first computing device, with a plurality of independent preformed paragraphs each having at least one digital data input field therein, and filling in the at least one digital data input field with contract formation data to create a finalized digital document. 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention. 
     Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale. 
     Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time. Also, for purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof relate to the invention as oriented in the figures and is not to be construed as limiting any feature to be a particular orientation, as said orientation may be changed based on the user&#39;s perspective of the device. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “software application” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram of a computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process, in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of the exemplary computing device utilized in the computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a process flow diagram depicting the steps associated with the computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  4    is a screen shot view of a sign-up page for users, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  5    is a screen shot view of a verification by email page for users, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS.  6 - 7    are screen shot views of a verification by phone page for users, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  8    is a screen shot view of a sign-in page for users, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    is a screen shot view of a forgot-your-password page for users, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  10    is a screen shot view depicting the plurality of digital graphical user interface (GUI) icons of the computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  11    is a screen shot view depicting the plurality of digital data input fields, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS.  12 - 41    are screen shot views depicting the plurality of digital data input fields of the network-based remote easy contract formation session, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  42    is a screen shot view of a summary page of the network-based remote easy contract formation session, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS.  43 - 46    are screen shot views of the finalized digital document without any fillable contract data field therein of the network-based remote easy contract formation session, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS.  47 - 48    are screen shot views of the plurality of digital data input fields for selling a home, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS.  49 - 50    are screen shot views of the plurality of digital data input fields for requesting a professional list of properties available for purchase that fit the user&#39;s inputted criteria, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  51    is a screen shot view of a confirmation page for requesting a professional list of properties available for purchase that fit the user&#39;s inputted criteria, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  52    is a screen shot view of a consultation request page, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  53    is a screen shot view of a direct message chat between a user and a real estate professional, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  54    is a screen shot view of a property listing page, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS.  55 - 62    are screen shot views depicting the plurality of digital data input fields in the network-based remote do-it-yourself contract formation session, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  63    is a screen shot view of a summary page of the network-based remote do-it-yourself contract formation session, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIGS.  64 - 67    are screen shots of the finalized digital document without any fillable contract data field therein of the network-based remote do-it-yourself contract formation session, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. 
     The present invention provides a novel and efficient computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process that enables users, namely, real estate sellers and purchasers, to draft, edit, and finalize real estate purchase and sale agreements themselves rather than having to be dependent or reliant on a third party to do so, e.g., on a real estate agent or attorney. Embodiments of the invention provide a process that may be performed remotely over a wireless communication network and from any geographic location for greater convenience. In addition, embodiments of the invention provide a contract generation and editing process that is simple and easy to perform such that it may be performed by professionals as well as users who are inexperienced in the real estate industry without sacrificing the substantive integrity of the contract. The present invention also beneficially enables a user to selectively toggle or switch between an “easy” mode and a “do-it-yourself” mode, wherein the “easy” mode poses specific, directed questions to the user, the responses to which are then inserted into the digital real estate contract to form the finalized digital document, whereas the “do-it-yourself” mode grants the user the ability to fill in digital data input fields directly onto the digital document itself until a finalized digital document is achieved. As used herein, the term “easy” is solely used for naming purposes and should not be construed otherwise or interpreted in any other matter. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  1   , one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a block diagram view.  FIG.  1    shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a computer-implemented and interactive real estate contract generation and editing process (referred to herein as the “process  300 ” for brevity), as shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3   , includes a first Step  302  of the process  300  which comprises providing a first electronic computing device  102   a  of a first user  104   a , the electronic computing device  102   a  having an electronic display  210 , a memory  206 , a user input interface  202 , and a network interface  204 . In preferred embodiments, the first electronic computing device  102   a  may consist of a cell phone, smart phone, laptop, tablet, desktop computer, or other comparable electronic computing or processing device  208 . The memory  206  is non-transitory wherein “non-transitory” is defined as a resident memory. The electronic computing devices  102   a - n  which may be a cellphone or tablet, for example, are operable to execute programming instructions embodied in the process  300  that can be received from a computer server  108  via a wide area network (WAN)  106 . Said differently, the electronic computing devices  102   a - n  are operable to execute the programming instructions received from the computer server  108  over the WAN  106 . In other embodiments, the process  300  is embodied in a web-based software application, a desktop software application, or a mobile device software app. In one embodiment, the WAN is the Internet. The Internet represents a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, the network  106  also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an Intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a cellular network.  FIG.  1    is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for the present invention. As shown in  FIG.  1   , the network  106  includes connections  110   a - n , which are the medium used to provide communication links between various devices and computers connected together within the network  106 . The connections  110   a - n  may be wired or wireless connections, but said connections are preferably wireless. A few exemplary wired connections are cable, phone line, and fiber optic. Exemplary wireless connections include radio frequency (RF) and infrared radiation (IR) transmission. Many other wired and wireless connections are known in the art and can be used with the present invention. 
     The network interface  204  may include one or more network interface cards (NIC) or a network controller. In some embodiments, the network interface  204  may include a personal area network (PAN) interface. The PAN interface may provide the capability for the user&#39;s computing devices to network using a short-range communication protocol, for example, a Bluetooth communication protocol. The PAN interface may permit one personal computing device to connect wirelessly to another personal computing device via a peer-to-peer connection. The network interface  204  may also include a local area network (LAN) interface. The LAN interface may be, for example, an interface to a wireless LAN, such as a Wi-Fi network. The range of the LAN interface may generally exceed the range available via the PAN interface. Typically, a connection between two electronic devices via the LAN interface may involve communication through a network router or other intermediary device. Additionally, the network interface  204  may include the capability to connect to a wide area network (WAN) via a WAN interface. The WAN interface may permit a connection to, for example, a cellular mobile communications network. The WAN interface may include communications circuitry, such as an antenna coupled to a radio circuit having a transceiver for transmitting and receiving radio signals via the antenna. The radio circuit may be configured to operate in a mobile communications network, including but not limited to global systems for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and the like. 
       FIG.  3    will be described in conjunction with the process flow chart of  FIGS.  1 - 2   . Although  FIG.  3    shows a specific order of executing the process  300  steps, the order of executing the steps may be changed relative to the order shown in certain embodiments. Also, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence in some embodiments. Certain steps may also be omitted in  FIG.  3    for the sake of brevity. In some embodiments, some or all of the process steps included in  FIG.  3    can be combined into a single process. 
     A second Step  303  entails communicatively coupling the first electronic computing device  102   a  of the first user  104   a  to the computer server  108  over a wireless communication network  106  and generating a digital graphical user interface (GUI)  202  on an electronic display  210  of the first computing device  102   a  with a plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n , wherein “n” refers to any number greater than one, operably configured to receive alpha-numeric text. In preferred embodiments, the process  300  is ran over a wireless communication network  106  though, as explained above, in alternate embodiments the process  300  may be run, for example, over wired networks. The plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n  may vary in form and substance. Specifically, the plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n  may be in the form of fill-in-the-blank input fields (as shown by  1100   b ), drop-down input fields (as shown by  1100   n ), pre-determined response input fields (as shown by  1100   a ), or a combination of the foregoing. For this reason, the term “alpha-numeric text” is defined as numerals, letters, punctuation, special characters, etc. whether pre-determined or inputted by the user. The specific substance of the plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n  may likewise vary in various embodiments but preferably relates to the contents of the real estate contract, e.g., identity of buyer(s), identity of seller(s), purchase price, method of payment (e.g., cash, loan, or other), length of offer, loan financing information, down payment information, title agent/company information, personal property, etc., wherein the foregoing subsets of information would be included only if and when applicable to the particular transaction at issue. 
     In accordance with a next Step  304 , the first user  104   a  may selectively choose on the first electronic computing device  102   a  of the first user  104   a  one of either the “easy” contract formation session or the “do-it-yourself” contract formation session, wherein “easy” is solely used herein for naming purposes and should not be construed otherwise or interpreted in any other matter. As explained above, the “easy” mode poses specific, directed questions to the user  104   a , the responses to which are then inserted into the digital real estate contract to form the finalized digital document. This type of contract formation session is preferred for users who are largely unfamiliar with real estate contracts or transactions and are in need of directed and/or assisted guidance with respect to the type of information that must be solicited, gathered, and included in the finalized digital document.  FIGS.  11 - 46    depict the “easy” contract formation session. In contrast, the “do-it-yourself” formation session provides the user  104   a  with greater flexibility because it grants the user  104   a  the ability to fill in digital data input fields directly onto the digital document itself until a finalized digital document is achieved. As seen in  FIGS.  55 - 67   , the plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n  are contained within the body of the digital document itself. Accordingly, the “do-it-yourself” formation session may be preferable for experts, professionals, or other qualified individuals with experience in the real estate industry. 
     A next Step  305  entails initiating a network-based remote “easy” contract formation session that includes selecting a plurality of GUI icons  1000   a - n  (as best depicted in  FIG.  10   ) on the electronic display  210  of the first computing device  102   a  and inputting contract formation data into each of the plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n . As seen in  FIG.  10   , the plurality of GUI icons  1000   a - n  prompt the user  104   a  to select the type of real estate transaction or contract the user  104   a  is seeking to prepare or draft. In alternate embodiments, however, the plurality of GUI icons  1000   a - n  may relate, for example, to a targeted component of the chosen transaction or contract, e.g., type of dwelling, type of financing, etc., and may appear in other steps of the process  300 . 
     Once the user  104   a  has selected from the plurality of GUI icons  1000   a - n  and inputted all contract formation data into each of the plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n , a final Step  306  includes generating a digital document in the network-based remote “easy” contract formation session with a plurality of independent preformed paragraphs each having at least one fillable contract data field disposed therein and assigned and filled in with, using an array data structure, to one of the plurality of digital data input fields to create a finalized digital document without any fillable contract data field therein and that is downloadable to the electronic display of the first computing device  102   a .  FIGS.  43 - 46    depict the finalized digital document that is generated at the conclusion of the “easy” contract formation session. In one embodiment, the finalized digital document is downloadable to the first computing device  102   a  so as to allow the user  104   a  the ability to readily save a copy of the finalized digital document for the user&#39;s personal records and/or for future use or dissemination. In another embodiment, the finalized digital document may be selectively and readily communicatively sharable with, or transferrable from the electronic display of the first computing device  102   a  to, a second computing device  102   n  of a second user  104   n  over the wireless communication network  106 , e.g., the agent of the first user  104   a  or the other contracting party, to facilitate collaborative efforts and improve the speed and convenience of readily sharing the finalized digital document with other users  104   a - n . In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the finalized digital document may contain fillable contract data field(s) therein to be completed by another user  104   b - n , e.g., the seller&#39;s agent, after being communicatively shared with the other user  104   b - n  over the network  106 . In this way, the process  300  can be beneficially collaborative, allowing for multiple users  104   a - n  to contribute to the finalized digital document that is ultimately created. In the “easy” contract formation session, the one or more fillable contract data field(s) is filled in using an array data structure consisting of a collection of elements (i.e., values or variables), each identified by at least one array index or key. The array is then stored such that the position of each element can be computed from its index tuple by a mathematical formula. The array data structure may be one-dimensional or multidimensional. 
     In one embodiment, the first electronic computing device  102   a  of the first user  104   a  is geographically located at a different physical building location than the computer server  108 . This feature beneficially allows the process  300  to be ran at various remote locations by the plurality of users  104   a - n . Particularly where the plurality of users  104   a - n  seek to collaborate on any given real estate contract, this feature facilitates this collaboration as none of the users  104   a - n  are required to simultaneously be in a shared geographic location with each other or with the server  108  in order to perform the process  300 . 
     The process  300  may further include the Step of communicatively coupling the first electronic computing device  102   a  of the first user  104   a  to the computer server  108  over the wireless communication network  106  and registering into a user account resident on the computer server  108  before generating the digital GUI  202  on the electronic display  210  of the first computing device  102   a . Beneficially, this feature allows the user  104   a  to partially or fully complete a real estate contract through the “easy” contract formation session or the “do-it-yourself” contract formation session and save the user&#39;s progress so the user  104   a  may return to the digital contract at a later time, e.g., to complete, edit, revise, view, or share the digital contract over the network  106  at a later time. Said differently, the user account associated with the user  104   a  may contain all of the digital contracts prepared and saved by the user  104   a .  FIGS.  4 - 9    depict the steps associated with creating and retrieving user accounts. As seen in  FIG.  4   , the user  104   a  may be required to input select identifiable personal information, e.g., first and last name, email address, phone number, password, etc., to enable the server  108  to link the user  104   a  with a specific user account. The process  300  may include additional steps to verify the user account of a user  104   a  such as, by way of example and without limitation, verifying the email ( FIG.  5   ) or phone number ( FIGS.  6 - 7   ) of the user  104   a  by sending a one-time passcode to the user&#39;s email or phone number which the user  104   a  would then need to input to verify their identity and be granted access to the user account. To be granted access to the user account thereafter, the log-in credentials that correspond to the user&#39;s user account must be inputted (as depicted in  FIG.  8   ). In the event the user  104   a  forgets their log-in credentials, there may be a method of retrieving said credentials or verifying the user&#39;s identity and resetting the credentials, e.g., by sending a verification code to the email address or phone number originally provided by the user  104   a  (as seen in  FIG.  9   ). 
     Referring now to  FIG.  49   , the process  300  may further comprise a digital informational icon  4900  disposed proximal to (wherein “proximal to” is defined herein as at or near) each of the plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n  and having informational text included therein; and displaying the informational text on the electronic display of the first computing device  102   a  upon selectively modulating the digital informational icon  4900 . In an exemplary embodiment, the informational text that accompanies the digital informational icon  4900  offers descriptive, explanatory, and/or guiding text intended to better inform the user  104   a  of the type of information sought by the digital data input field  1100   a  associated with that particular digital informational icon  4900 . In one embodiment, the informational text visually appears only when the user  104   a  selectively modulates, e.g., hovers over, selects, or clicks on, the digital informational icon  4900 . This feature controls the amount of informational text the user  104   a  is exposed to at any given time so as to make each Step of the process  300  easier to understand and complete for the user  104   a . In other words, this feature beneficially prevents the user  104   a  from being inundated with superfluous informational text that is pertinent at a later Step in the process  300 , e.g., for a subsequent digital data input field  1100   b , but that is not directly relevant to the digital data input field  1100   a  the user  104   a  is completing at that given moment. Likewise, a plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows within the network-based remote “do-it-yourself” contract formation session may collectively form part of the digital document with the plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device  102   a.    
     For this same beneficial purpose, namely, to aid the user  104   a  in understanding, organizing, and completing the process  300 , the process  300  may also include a plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows within the network-based remote “easy” contract formation session that collectively form part of selecting the plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device  102   a  and the inputting contract formation data into each of the plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n , the plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows generating before generation of the digital document in the network-based remote “easy” contract formation session with the plurality of independent preformed paragraphs. In this way, the plurality of digital data input fields  1100   a - n  are broken up into smaller parts reflected in a plurality of independent and sequentially viewable windows to make the process  300  easier, quicker, and simpler to perform. 
     In lieu of the network-based remote “easy” contract formation session, the user  104   a  may initiate the network-based remote “do-it-yourself” contract formation session that includes generating a digital document with a plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device  102   a , with a plurality of independent preformed paragraphs each having one or more digital data input field(s)  1100   a  therein, and filling in the one or more digital data input field(s)  1100   a  to create a finalized digital document without any fillable contract data field therein and that is downloadable to the electronic display of the first computing device  102   a . As such, Step  305  may comprise the foregoing as part of the network-based remote “do-it-yourself” contract formation session as opposed to initiating a network-based remote easy contract formation session that includes selecting a plurality of GUI icons on the electronic display of the first computing device  102   a  and inputting contract formation data into each of the plurality of digital data input fields as part of the “easy” contract formation session. Based on the needs and preferences of the user  104   a , the type of contract formation session, i.e., the “easy” or “do-it-yourself” sessions, may be selectively modified by the user  104   a . Said differently, the user  104   a  may switch from the “easy” contract formation session to the “do-it-yourself” contract formation session, and vice versa, as needed or desired. This feature is particularly beneficial where the needs or expertise of the user  104   a  vary from real estate transaction to real estate transaction, e.g., the user  104   a  may be very familiar with the sale of residential dwellings and therefore desire the “do-it-yourself” contract formation session but may be largely inexperienced or unfamiliar with the sale of commercial buildings and therefore stand to benefit more from the “easy” contract formation session in that circumstance. 
     As demonstrated in  FIGS.  47 - 54   , the process  300  may also allow the user  104   a  to perform additional actions associated with or related to real estate, e.g., listing a property for sale (as depicted in  FIGS.  47 - 48   ), requesting a professional list of properties available for purchase that fit the user&#39;s inputted criteria (as seen in  FIGS.  49 - 51   ), submitting a request for a consultation with a real estate professional such as a licensed real estate broker, a licensed real estate agent, a licensed mortgage broker, a real estate attorney, a title agent specialist, an appraiser, or an insurance agent (as seen in  FIG.  52   ), communicating with a real estate professional over the network  106  (as depicted in  FIG.  53   ), and publishing, browsing, and reviewing property listings (as seen in  FIG.  54   ). 
     Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.