Abstract:
A seller and agent collaboration system and method for matching a seller with an agent to help consummate a sale of real property is disclosed, wherein the system includes credential protected seller and agent data portals, wherein the seller and the agent input values for a plurality of agent criterion parameters that are matched based on an importance weight and the closeness of the seller and agent input values, with the output resulting in an agent being matched with a seller and also with lesser matched agents being listed to the seller. Subsequent to this the seller can initiate a one-way conversation with an agent anonymously so that the seller remains in control of the conversation until the seller decides to engage in a full disclosure with their agent of choice.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to internet based matching of a seller of an asset with an agent for marketing the asset and consummating the asset sale for the seller. More particularly, the present invention presents a system and method of matching a seller of real estate to a real estate agent for marketing and completing the sale of the real estate, wherein a plurality of conditions exist for building a formation of the seller and agent relationship to create an optimum fit as between the seller and agent 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    From a seller&#39;s perspective it is desirable to significantly narrow the number of agents that could be contracted with and for the seller to be in control of the situation such that the seller ultimately selects the best potential agents to communicate with before finally the seller then selects the single agent that they want to use. One of the goals of the present invention is to prevent unmitigated solicitation of the seller by multiple agents that may not be a good fit with the seller&#39;s desires. From the agents perspective it is to only spend preliminary time with seller&#39;s who are already highly motivated to potentially contract with an agent, thus making the matching process as between seller and agent a better and more efficient experience for both. There is a considerable challenge in ascertaining authenticity of each party being the seller and the agent prior to the seller making the first contact to the group of potentially desirable agents due to the inherent anonymous nature of the internet with either party having the ability to generate a virtual online profile that is deceptive, misrepresentative, and fraudulent, this is termed the “online disinhibition effect” which can result in the complete abandonment of social restrictions and inhibitions that would otherwise be present in a normal face to face interaction. 
         [0003]    Thus as the antithesis to this, wherein the old computer industry printer term of “WYSIWYG” would apply in face to face human interactions meaning “what you see is what you get”, i.e. minimal deception that would be expected from say the seller evaluating an agents qualifications or on the other hand the agent evaluating the seller&#39;s representations concerning the property to be sold if they were to meet initially face to face physically at the real property. Of course initial face to face meetings as between the seller and agent would comport with “WYSIWYG”, however, it would be inefficient as the internet can be made to do the initial “culling” of potential good fit seller and agent relationships as long as the problem of the “online disinhibition effect” can be taken care of or at least substantially minimized. 
         [0004]    In the online world, “WYSIWYG” can be disturbingly far from the truth as what you see virtually online for a person&#39;s or entities profile can be far removed from what you get face to face. Part of this “online disinhibition effect” is due to the individual who creates the online profile from having any meaningful reprisal or liability for their deceptive or misrepresentative representations of who or what they are, this being compounded by the anonymous nature of the internet with many individuals using an alias as an online name, wherein this particular individual essentially becomes another person when interacting face to face with another, i.e. by essentially being who they really are. 
         [0005]    This problem with the internet in deceptive representations by one individual to another has a number of causes starting firstly with the individuals not actually knowing one another, plus potentially being in other cities, states, and countries has the effect of providing an insulating layer of distance protection that can lead to even antisocial or harmful behaviors. Secondly, the virtual nature of the internet allows a deceptive individual to put in their profile misrepresentative text, images, and videos, this combined with the total lack of reading the things that indicate an individual&#39;s true live in person nature such as; “body english”, also eye movement, and voice inflection of another also due to the virtual nature of the internet are lacking, wherein in a face to face interaction as between individuals, clues can be picked up from seeing someone in a “live” situation as opposed to the non-live virtual indicators of text, images, and video. 
         [0006]    Thirdly, in the online context, communication does not typically happen in “real time” i.e. being in an asynchronous nature, this leads to impulsive items posted online quickly without much real thought and a reply given to the impulsive items that could be carefully considered with much time for thought, thus making the communication context disjointed and inefficient as between two individuals. Fourth, without face to face cues as to a party&#39;s intent in an online context, it is human nature to assign characteristics to the other party as images that are imputed by imagination solely based upon the virtual online text, images, and video from the other party. Unfortunately these characteristics assigned to the other virtual party are based upon the reading party&#39;s own mindset which can be completely incorrect as exists in that party&#39;s mind (thus in effect creating a reality that has gaps filled with imagination) of the party who is reading the online profile, again being a poor communication model. 
         [0007]    Fifth, as the online context can be without consequences, it can seem to be just a game to the party creating the virtual online profile, thus the grounding rules (being authentic, real, factual, and the like) that would exist in a face to face interaction don&#39;t apply online, i.e. so what if I stretch the truth a little-what could happen-can be the prevailing attitude. Sixth, it is not really known who created the online virtual profile, i.e. who really is the person who created the virtual online profile which would have a significant effect in a face to face context, however, in the online world, who the online profile creator is, is not really relevant whereas the content of the text, images, and video are what matters online. Thus various levels of authority have no meaning online-thus leading to impulsive and undesirable behavior. 
         [0008]    Further, this undesirable behavior seemingly has no victims, i.e. the trouble that an online profile creator can bring forth from misrepresentations, fraud, harassment, and the like seemingly has invisible victims-in going with the previously stated lack of consequences for aberrant online behavior. Seventh, in an online context-the ability to disseminate information to a very large group of people is unprecedented, before the advent of the internet being available to millions of people, is was quite costly to disseminate information on a broad scale, i.e. requiring large expenses on traditional media such as radio, newspapers, magazines, TV, and the like, thus with the internet&#39;s ability to disseminate information to millions of people at practically no cost-can mean that the harm from undesirable behaviors can be of a large magnitude. 
         [0009]    In summary, these undesirable online behaviors that are rooted in the seven categories discussed above are manifested in cyber bullying, article, image, and video comment sections that are filled with outrageous statements, politics, racism, and threats, plus phishing emails with computer viruses, goods/services review fraud, flaming sites, trolls, baiters, and the like, all due to the anonymity of the internet. This has over the fifteen years or so of widespread public use of the internet lead to a lack of trust of what is published online, such that the saying could be-“you can&#39;t hardly believe anything that is on the internet these days” which causes a real reputation problem with internet use, especially in a business context. 
         [0010]    This is the crux of the present invention, in enabling a system that can help ensure authenticity, accuracy, and trust in an online context. This of course is a widely recognized problem, however, being of more or less important depending upon the business use of the internet, if for instance I am an online seller of goods, it is somewhat simpler in that if I deliver what I say I am and charge the proper amount, i.e. all under the control of the online seller, then I as the online seller can establish trust. However, in another scenario such as a dating site, wherein millions of individuals put up their profiles and interact with other individuals the prevalence of fraud and misrepresentation is widespread as there is little if any control present, a like scenario for a site that would bring together previously unknown individuals (like a dating site) for the purpose of doing business, wherein the question is basically “WYSIWYG” is what I am seeing, what I am getting from this online profile, because without trust and authenticity a business collaboration site will quickly acquire a bad reputation and most likely fail. 
         [0011]    In spite of the internet&#39;s lack of trust and authenticity the online market place continues to become more predominant player in the goods and services commerce area, wherein it is estimated 93% of all purchase decisions originate with an on-line search, so making the internet work better for trust and authenticity is of paramount importance and cannot be ignored, especially in the business context. The prior art in this area touches on this concept of previously discussed internet anonymity problems in a piecemeal way, of which a summary is given below. 
         [0012]    In looking at the prior art, starting with U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,115 to Fraser disclosed a method and apparatus of automatically matching sellers of property with potential buyers through a communications network (preferably the Internet) in which a host system communicates with the sellers and the potential buyers over telephone or dedicated data transmission lines. The host system in Fraser obtains and stores a first set of records each corresponding to a property to be sold, that are the typical data of name, address, contact information, property specifics, see  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  4 C for an example, and some degree of seller authentication by verifying seller property records, see  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  7 . 
         [0013]    In Fraser, the first set of property records can be searched by a remote data terminal associated with a potential buyer, wherein the results of this search are then provided to the potential buyer, who indicates specific property listings that the potential buyer may be interested in purchasing. The potential buyer in Fraser provides identifying information which is then provided to the sellers of the indicated property. In Fraser, provisions are made to ensure that the sellers, who list property support the system financially, see  FIG. 5A . As a filtering qualification in Fraser to protect the sellers from multiple unqualified buyers, there is a buyer screening criteria that tries to ensure that the potential buyers are ready, able, and willing to make a particular property purchase, i.e. to actually consummate the sales transaction, see  FIG. 5B , further see column 9, lines 27 to 44. Also in Fraser, it is desirable to preserve a seller&#39;s identification, i.e. to remain anonymous, thus allowing the seller to review a list of potential buyers qualifications prior to the seller contacting a particular buyer, see  FIGS. 8B and 9 , also column 7, lines 11 to 19. Further, the system in Fraser permits automatic evaluation of potential buyers, basically being just a financial ability to afford the particular property, see column 6, lines 49 to 67, to be able to screen buyers whose information does not match minimum criteria provided by the seller. 
         [0014]    Continuing in the prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,698 to Moore, disclosed is a method of producing demographic data from real property data and then inferring from the property data additional demographic traits. Moore includes; a virtual host, comprising: generating the virtual host; obtaining a physical address associated with an internet protocol address of a user interacting with the virtual host; obtaining property records associated with the physical address; inspecting the property records for a date of transfer; comparing the date of transfer to a current date to determine a term of ownership. Also, Moore infers an age of the property owner from the term of ownership; and endowing the virtual host with other demographic traits associated with the age of the property owner and the value and location of the property to infer income of the property owner, also items like keystroke speed for also inferring age of the property owner. 
         [0015]    Next, in the prior art looking at U.S. Pat. Nos. RE43,068 &amp; 6,973,432 to Woodard, et al., disclosed is a process for managing the calendar showing and usage of real estate up for sale. The process in Woodard allows buyers to schedule a showing or in person viewing of real estate directly through an Internet web site. The buyer in Woodard will be able to view the schedule of multiple properties in their area giving them the ability to plan their house hunting expeditions. Further in Woodard, sellers of real estate may block out times when they do not want their property shown directly from their own computers. Agents in Woodard will have complete visibility of the seller&#39;s availability time thereby increasing availability to schedule and sellers will also be able to view when agents have scheduled a showing for their property and gain access to historical records of their property showings. Agents in Woodard will be able to list properties for showings and make appointments for their clients to view other agents&#39; properties with a click of a mouse. The central scheduling focus in Woodard will be around the property as the seller&#39;s agent along with the seller will set up pre-conditions allowing a buyer or buyer&#39;s agent to select times for showings around these pre-conditions. 
         [0016]    Continuing, in the prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 6,735,570 to Lacy, et al., disclosed is an improved administration system for use in managing and reporting skill assessment data entered by users of a skill assessment tool. The skill assessment tool of Lacy has the preferred embodiment that includes a large skill set of possibly-unrelated skills, wherein a large, diverse use population may employ the skill assessment tool to enter data rating a user&#39;s proficiency at performing ones of the skills in the skill set. In Lacy, the resulting skill assessment data may therefore be both extensive and diverse. The administration system in Lacy allows the skill assessment data to be reported using any selectable subset of the users or any selectable subset of the skills supported by the skill assessment tool. 
         [0017]    Further, in the prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 8,473,320 to Judy disclosed is a method and system for measuring transferability of workers between and among occupations by means of the mathematical relationships between those occupations&#39; key attributes, as defined by publicly available data on the competencies required as specified by a complete catalog of U.S. occupations known as O*NET. This method in Judy provides a concise, informative measurement for comparing the relative requirements of Abilities, Skills, Knowledge, and other relevant attributes of occupations, enabling users to gauge the feasibility of transferring workers from one occupation to another through the generation of a correlation coefficient on the transferability of workers between different occupations. 
         [0018]    What is needed is a seller and agent collaboration system for matching a seller with an agent to help consummate a sale of real property, wherein the system includes credential protected seller and agent data portals, the seller and the agent input values for a plurality of agent criterion parameters that are matched based on an importance weight and the closeness of the seller and agent input values, with the output resulting in an agent being matched with a seller and also with lesser matched agents being listed to the seller. Subsequent to this the seller can initiate a one-way conversation with an agent anonymously so that the seller remains in control of the conversation until the seller decides to engage in a full disclosure with their agent of choice. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0019]    Broadly, the present invention is of a seller and agent collaboration system for matching a seller with an agent to help consummate a sale of real property, wherein the system includes a credential protected seller data portal for a single seller to gain access to a seller section and a single seller profile database account created with a non-anonymous seller identification and an anonymous seller identification. The seller profile database account includes an agent criterion that has a plurality of agent parameters, wherein the seller inputs a unique scale item level for each of the plurality of agent parameters in addition to the seller inputting a unique seller selected weight associated with each agent parameter. Further included is a credential protected agent data portal for a single agent to gain access to an agent section and a plurality of single agent database accounts defined as an agent pool. Each single agent profile database account is created with a non-anonymous agent identification; the agent profile database account includes an agent criterion that has a plurality of agent parameters, wherein the agent inputs an index value for each of the plurality of agent parameters in addition to the agent inputting a unique agent selected weight associated with each agent parameter. 
         [0020]    In addition, there are instructions for producing a matching algorithm as between the seller profile database account and the agent pool being the plurality of single agent database accounts, the matching algorithm has a priority rank ordering of the seller selected weights associated with each agent parameter that are matched with each of the plurality of unique agent selected weights associated with each agent parameter such that the seller selected parameter weights and the agent selected parameter weights are equally matched in a pair, irrelevant to a particular agent criterion parameter of the seller or the agent. Further, for each the equal weighted pair if the equal weighted pair has identical parameters then a match is sought as between the sellers scale item level and the agent&#39;s index value, termed a first category level range, if no match exists then based upon the sellers parameter, a same parameter adjacent scale item level is checked for a match termed a second category level range. 
         [0021]    Further, if no match is found, then based upon the sellers parameter, a same parameter next adjacent scale item level is checked for a match termed a third category level range, if no match exists or the equal weight sellers and agent parameters are not the same, iterative instructions are such that sellers next highest weight parameter scale item level is matched to the agent pool to a specific agent whose matching parameter has a highest weight, then a match is sought as between the sellers scale item level and the agent&#39;s index value defined as a first category level range. If no match exists then based upon the sellers parameter, a same parameter adjacent scale item level is checked for a match termed a second category level range, and if no match is found, then based upon said sellers parameter, a same parameter next adjacent scale item level is checked for a match termed a third category level range, if no match exists the iterative instructions are repeated and instructions for producing an output having a specific agent matched with the seller. 
         [0022]    These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from a consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which; 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a summary diagrammatic flowchart of the seller and agent collaboration system or method; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a detail diagrammatic flowchart of the seller and agent accounts, the agent criterion parameters, the scale item levels, the associated weights of the scale item levels, the adjacent scale item level, the next adjacent scale item level, the index values, the weights associated with the index values, and wherein the flow chart continues on  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a continuation of the  FIG. 2  detail diagrammatic flowchart starting with the matching algorithm that steps through the identical parameters the first category level range checking for a match, if so then an output is made, if not then the second category level range is checked for a match, if so then an output is made, if not then the third category level range is checked for a match, if so then an output is made, if not then the iterative instructions are used to return to the starting matching algorithm to go to a next lower weight parameter from the seller and repeat the process starting with the identical parameters and the first category range, further the output shows the a ranked plurality of agents selected for the seller; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a detail diagrammatic flowchart of the messaging module in particular starting with the seller creating their seller profile that results in the seller credentialed seller data portal and seller created profile database account or termed the seller section, wherein what results in a non-anonymous and an anonymous seller identifications, wherein initially the seller engages with the agent in anonymous one-way communication, being only from the seller to the agent, until the seller accepts two way communication with the seller remaining anonymous and further with the seller accepting two-way communication with the seller being non-anonymous, in addition the agent creates their agent profile that results is the agent credentialed agent data portal and agent created database account or termed the agent section resulting in the non-anonymous agent identification that feeds into the agent pool that is a plurality of agent database accounts; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a diagrammatic flowchart of the seller authentication module that deals with agent criterion parameters that are related to public record real property data that were initially input by the seller in their profile account, the seller authentication module then compares the seller inputted real property scale item levels to matching real property public records to output two lists, one for seller inputted real property scale item levels that match real property public records and another list for seller inputted real property scale item levels that do not match real property public records; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a diagrammatic flowchart of the agent authentication module that deals with agent criterion parameters that are related to agent input index values for the agent criterion parameters that are in the agent&#39;s profile database account, the agent authentication module then compares the agent input index values to reviews given to that particular agent by sellers who have used that agent on a matching index value to index value basis for the particular agent as a way to confirm an agent&#39;s claim to expertise in any particular area that would be classified as one of the agent&#39;s index values for an agent criterion parameter; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  shows a diagrammatic flowchart for the remote host computer setup also known as the “cloud”, having a remote host server computer for the seller and agent collaboration system that includes processors, memory, remote programs, control module, the data communication structure or computer network, the data transfer, carrier wave, and data signal, that is on the network, plus the local human perceptible interface of a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and the like, being the local host interface component, and with the seller and agent using the interface; 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  shows a screen shot of the seller starting point for creating the seller credentialed seller data portal and the seller profile database account thus making up the seller section; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  shows a screen shot of the seller created and input real property summary based upon a portion of the agent criterion parameters in scale item levels relating to real property; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  shows a screen shot of the agent pool with a summary of each agent for the seller to view; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  shows a screen shot of the single agent having more detail on that particular agent for the seller to view; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  shows a screen shot of the agent starting point for creating the agent credentialed agent data portal and the agent profile database account thus making up the agent section; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 13  shows a screen shot of a plurality of seller created and input real property pool summaries based upon a portion of the agent criterion parameters in scale item levels that agents can view; 
       
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
       [0000]    
       
         Agent=an entity who acts as an agent for the seller as a principal to basically do the marketing and promotion of the article or property and arrange for the consummation of the article or property sale. 
         Agent Authentication Module=certification of agent profile individual index values through agent feedback review ratings by only sellers who have had a transaction with that particular agent. 
         Agent Created Agent Profile=created by an agent resulting in a saved agent database that includes individual agent criterion index values for each agent criterion parameter. 
         Agent Criterion=a plurality of agent and property parameters that are priority matched as between the seller and the agent such that a particular agent is a “best fit” for the seller. These criterion can include but are not limited to; 
         1. Team approach 
         2. Singular approach 
         3. Time priority agent 
         4. Completeness priority agent 
         5. Number of years&#39; experience as an agent 
         6. Number of transactions closed by the agent 
         7. Type of transactions closed by the agent 
         8. Geographic specialty of agent 
         9. Seller selling urgency level 
         10. Agent feedback rating 
         11. Property type specialty of agent 
         12. Agent bio including college education, work history, military, geographic working and living history. 
         13. Agent multiple language fluency. 
         14. Agent license history 
         15. Address of property 
         16. Configuration of detached or duplex, three-plex, four-plex, condo, apartment, and/or with basement, i.e. the property type. 
         17. Desired price level range 
         18. Number of bedrooms 
         19. Number of bathrooms 
         20. Square feet of living area 
         21. Square feet of lot if applicable 
         22. Property style being ranch, two story, three story, bi-level, or tri-level. 
         23. Amenities nearby such as schools, shopping, grocery, restaurants, gas stations, banks, post office, building supplies, parks, public transit, and churches. 
         24. Neighborhood features such as hilly, mountains, flat, creeks, rivers, lakes, ocean, and lake/ocean front, crime rates, walkability, bicycle friendly, and the like. 
         25. Property special features such as pool, drive through driveway, RV and/or boat parking, solar, generator, pet friendly, fireplace, sprinkler system, dead end street, and the like. 
         26. Property tax history 
         27. Sales Price history 
         28. Heating system 
         29. Cooling system 
         30. Electrical system 
         31. Solar 
         32. Materials of construction 
         33. Text, photo, video, and audio of the property 
         34. Area demographics 
         35. Mortgages on the property 
         36. Mortgage amount, age, interest rate, and assumable status of each mortgage. 
         37. Liens on the property. 
         38. Property deed type and status 
         39. Age of property 
         40. Age of roof 
         41. Age of appliances 
         42. Easements 
         43. Mineral and other rights 
         44. Environmental issues with land including sink holes, contamination, soil composition 
         45. Flood plane 
         46. Mold, water, insect infestation 
         47. Pets in property 
         48. Smokers in property 
         49. Chemical contamination of building 
         50. Building physical/structural issues such as cracks, settling, or heaving 
         51. Building code/permit issues/zoning issues 
         52. Aluminum wire 
         53. Pipe material 
         54. Smoke detector system 
         55. Carbon monoxide detector system 
         56. Security system 
         57. General condition of property 
         58. Warranties 
         59. Inclusions 
         60. Exclusions 
         61. Electrical system 
         62. Sewer system 
         63. Water system 
         64. Condemnation 
         65. Covenants 
         66. Easements 
         67. Encroachments 
         68. Home Owners Association 
         69. Leases 
         70. Insurance history 
         71. Eminent domain 
         72. Legal description of the lot 
         73. Parking spaces-off street, carport, or garage 
         74. Neighborhood crime situation 
         Agent Database=stores all of an agents selectable preferences including access credentials, agent profile index values for each agent criterion, and an agent weight selected for each agent criterion. 
         Agent Pool Profiles=a group of multiple agent profiles a portion of which meet the seller profile, being ranked by a first best match and subsequently a declining ranking of best fit matches for agents to the seller. 
         Confidential Seller Communication Portal=facilitates initial one-way communication of seller to agent wherein seller remains anonymous in relation to agent and facilitates the first communication to only be from seller to agent and blocking initial communication from agent to seller. 
         Confirm Agent(s) Availabililty=Once an agent or a plurality of agents are selected by the matching algorithm, prior to presenting the agent or agents to the seller to choose from, the agent(s) need to indicate a positive response for their availability to potentially become the seller&#39;s agent or a negative response thus indicating that the agent(s) is not available resulting in that the negative response agent(s) not being presented to the seller. 
         Credential protected Portal for Agent=limited access to only allow a single agent access to their specific account in the agent database. 
         Credential protected Portal for Seller=limited access to only allow a single seller access to their specific account in the seller database. 
         Index values=agent created separate information for each agent criterion parameter as input values. 
         Index value separate Agent weights=agent assigned importance weight for each index value 
         Matching algorithm=a dynamic matching of the seller profile and the agent profile 
         1. The matching algorithm breaks down into two parts; 
       
     
         [0124]    i. Priority rank ordering of each of the seller created agent individual criterion parameters scale item levels from highest item to lowest item with assigned relative weights for each agent criterion parameter and to match these scale item levels to each individual agent criterion parameter index values based on each of their weighting, irrelevant to a particular seller agent criterion parameter or a particular agent or agent criterion parameter. 
         [0125]    ii Agent criterion ranges there are three categories of ranges, a first or closest mating range of the equal highest weight agent criterion of the seller, that is one agent weighted criterion parameter from the seller and one agent weighted criterion parameter from the agent, matched as an equal weight pair wherein the agent criterion parameter can be different or the same from the seller and agent being of an equal ranking weight pair from the seller and agent respectively, if there is no match at the first category level range, then a second category level range entails going to an adjacent range again on the seller side and to search for an agent match at an equal weight agent criterion level, subsequent to this if there is no match at the second category level, then a third category level range goes another next adjacent step range of the seller side looking for a match at an equal weight agent criterion level, if subsequent to this no match is found, then the same process is repeated for the second highest seller based weight agent criterion and in going through the first, second, and third category level ranges from the seller and so on for what is termed the iterative instructions.
   1. As property price, property square footage, or property lot size increase, the dynamic matching selects a smaller group of agent pool profiles for the seller profile by narrowing ranges of available match ranges by only going to the second category level range match or only the first category level range match before dropping down to the second highest seller based weight agent criterion parameter. This is to tighten the qualification of agents to sellers as the size of the transaction increases.   2. Further as property price, property square footage, or property lot size decrease the dynamic matching selects a larger group of agent pool profiles for the seller profile by expanding ranges of available match by going from a first category level range match only expanding out to second and third category range matched matches as previously described. This is to loosen the qualification of agents to sellers as the size of the transaction decreases.   3. If seller profile requires a high seller urgency level then time priority agent shall become the highest weight criterion of the matching algorithm.   Matching algorithm output=selecting the best fit single agent for the seller and suggesting a remaining plurality of agents for the seller ranked from closest match to least closest match   Messaging module=facilitates the confidential seller communication portal.   First category level range=a first or closest mating range of the equal highest weight agent criterion parameter of the seller, that is one agent criterion parameter from the seller and one agent criterion parameter from the agent, wherein the criterion can be different or the same, being of equal ranking weight from the seller and agent respectively, if the respective parameters from the seller and agent are not identical then the second category level range is employed.   Second category level range=if there is no match at the first category level range, then a second category level range entails going to an adjacent range again for the parameter on the seller side and search for an agent match at an equal weight agent criterion parameter level.   Third category level range=if there is no match at the second category level range, then a third category level range goes another next adjacent step range of the seller side agent criterion parameter looking for a match at an equal weight agent criterion parameter level.   Scale item levels=seller created individual requirements for each agent criterion parameters as input values for each parameter.   Scale item level separate seller weights=seller assigned importance weight for each scale item level.   Seller=the owner of an article or property who desires to sell the article or property.   Seller authentication module=using a non-anonymous seller identification a certification of property and ownership via confirmation of the seller created individual scale items of the agent criterion parameters with outside sources of information such as government or public property records.   Seller created seller profile=created by a seller resulting in a saved seller profile database account that includes agent individual criterion scale item levels for each agent parameter.   Seller criterion parameters=agent criterion parameters   Seller Created Database=stores all of an seller&#39;s selectable preferences including access credentials, seller scale item levels for each agent criterion parameter, and a seller weight selected for each agent criterion parameter.   
 
       REFERENCE NUMBERS IN DRAWINGS 
       [0000]    
       
           50  Seller and Agent Collaboration System 
           55  Seller 
           60  Agent 
           65  Real Property 
           70  Credential protected seller  55  data portal 
           75  Seller  55  section 
           80  Single seller  55  profile database account 
           85  Non-anonymous seller  55  identification 
           90  Anonymous seller  55  identification 
           95  Agent  60  criterion 
           100  Agent  60  parameters 
           105  Scale item level as a seller  55  input for each parameter  100   
           110  Seller  55  selected weight associated with each parameter  100   
           105  Credential protected agent  60  data portal 
           106  Blocking communication from agent  60  to seller  55 —one way communication 
           110  Agent  60  section 
           115  Agent pool 
           120  Single agent  60  profile database account 
           125  Non-anonymous agent  60  identification 
           130  Index value as an agent  60  input for each parameter  100   
           135  Agent  60  selected weight associated with each parameter  100   
           140  Processors 
           145  Memory 
           150  Programs/instructions 
           155  Matching algorithm 
           160  First category level range 
           161  Identical parameters  100   
           165  Second category level range 
           166  Adjacent scale item level  105   
           170  Third category level range 
           171  Next adjacent scale item level  105   
           175  Iterative instructions 
           180  Output of specific agent  60  selected for the seller  55   
           181  Confirm agent(s)  60  availability for seller  55   
           182  Remove agent  60  from agent pool  115  relative to a specific seller  55   
           185  Plurality of agents  60   
           190  Messaging module 
           195  Confidential seller  55  communication portal 
           200  Initial anonymous one-way only communication from seller  55  to agent  60   
           205  Blocking communication from the agent  60  to the seller  55   
           210  Subsequent communication as between the seller  55  and agent  60  that is two-way communication 
           215  Seller  55  authentication module 
           220  Public records 
           225  Agent  60  authentication module 
           230  Seller  55  reviews of agents  60  used 
           235  Remote access apparatus 
           240  Remote program 
           245  Local host interface component 
           250  Remote host server computer 
           255  Data communication structure or computer network 
           260  Data transfer 
           265  Local human perceptible interface, being in the form of a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and the like 
           270  Local control module 
           275  Method for matching a seller  55  and an agent  60   
           280  Carrier wave 
           285  Data signal 
           290  Screen shot seller  55   
           295  Screen shot real property  65   
           300  Screen shot agent pool  115   
           305  Screen shot agent  60   
           310  Screen shot agent  60  account  120   
           315  Screen shot real property  65  pool 
           500  Flowchart continuation match as between  FIGS. 2 and 3  for the seller  55  weights 
           110  and the agent  60  weights  135   
           505  Flowchart continuation match as between  FIGS. 2 and 3  for the second  165  and third  170  category level ranges to the adjacent scale item levels  105  and the next adjacent scale item levels  105  respectively 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0206]    With initial reference to  FIG. 1 , shown is a summary diagrammatic flowchart of the seller and agent collaboration system  50  and  FIG. 2  shows a detail diagrammatic flowchart of the seller  80  and agent  120  accounts, the agent criterion  95  parameters  100 , the scale item levels  105 , the associated weights  110  of the scale item levels  105 , the adjacent  166  scale item level  105 , the next adjacent  171  scale item level  105 , the index values  130 , the weights  135  associated with the index values  130 , and wherein the flow chart continues  500 ,  505  on to  FIG. 3 . 
         [0207]    Continuing to  FIG. 3  shows a continuation  500 ,  505  of the  FIG. 2  detail diagrammatic flowchart starting with the matching algorithm  155  that steps through the identical parameters  100  the first category level range  160  checking for a match, if so then an output  180 ,  185  is made, if not then the second category level range  165  is checked for a match, if so then an output  180 ,  185  is made, if not then the third category level range  170  is checked for a match, if so then an output  180 ,  185  is made. As  FIG. 3  shows, if still no match then the iterative instructions  175  are used to return to the starting matching algorithm  155  to go to a next lower weight  110  parameter from the seller  55  and repeat the process starting with the identical parameters  100  and the first category range  160 , further the output  180  shows the a ranked plurality of agents  185  selected for the seller  55 . 
         [0208]    Next,  FIG. 4  shows a detail diagrammatic flowchart of the messaging module  190  in particular starting with the seller  55  creating their seller profile  80  that results in the seller credentialed seller data portal  70  and seller created profile database account  80  or termed the seller section  75 . Wherein what results in  FIG. 4  is a non-anonymous  85  and anonymous  90  seller identifications, through the confidential portal  195 , wherein initially the seller  55  engages with the agent  60  in anonymous one-way communication  106 ,  200 ,  205  being only from the seller  55  to the agent  60 , until the seller  55  accepts two way communication  210  with the seller  55  remaining anonymous  90 , and further with the seller  55  accepting two-way communication  210  with the seller  55  being non-anonymous  85 . In addition, shown in  FIG. 4 , the agent  60  creates their agent profile  120  that results is the agent credentialed agent data portal  105  and agent  60  created database account  120  or termed the agent section  110  resulting in the non-anonymous  125  agent identification that feeds into the agent pool  115  that is a plurality of agent database accounts  120 . 
         [0209]    Moving onward,  FIG. 5  shows a diagrammatic flowchart of the seller authentication module  215  that deals with agent criterion  95  parameters  100  that are related to public record real property data  220  that were initially input by the seller  55  in their profile account  80 , the seller authentication module  215  then compares the seller  55  inputted real property scale item levels  105  to matching real property public records  220  to output two lists, one for seller inputted real property scale item levels  105  that match real property public records  220  and another list for seller inputted real property scale item levels  105  that do not match real property public records  220 . 
         [0210]    Continuing,  FIG. 6  shows a diagrammatic flowchart of the agent authentication module  225  that deals with agent criterion  95  parameters  100  that are related to agent input index values  130  for the agent criterion  95  parameters  100  that are in the agent&#39;s profile database account  120 , the agent authentication module  225  then compares the agent input index values  130  to reviews  230  given to that particular agent  60  by sellers  55  who have used that agent  60  on a matching index value  130  to index value  130  basis for that particular agent  60  as a way to confirm an agent&#39;s  60  claim to expertise in any particular area that would be classified as one of the agent&#39;s index values  130  for an agent criterion  95  parameter  100 . 
         [0211]    Further,  FIG. 7  shows a diagrammatic flowchart for the remote host computer setup  235  also known as the “cloud”, having a remote host server computer  250  for the seller and agent collaboration system  50  that includes processors  140 , memory  145 , remote programs  150 ,  240 ,  270  control module, the data communication structure  255  or computer network, the data transfer  260 , carrier wave  280 , and data signal  285  that is on the network  255 , the local human perceptible interface  265  of a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and the like, being the local host interface component  245 , and the seller  55  or agent  60  using the interface  245 . Next,  FIG. 8  shows a screen shot of the seller  55  starting point  290  for creating the seller  55  credentialed seller data portal  70  and the seller  55  profile database account  80  thus making up the seller  55  section  75 . Next,  FIG. 9  shows a screen shot  295  of the seller created and input real property  65  summary based upon a portion of the agent criterion  95  parameters  100  in scale item levels  105 . 
         [0212]    Continuing,  FIG. 10  shows a screen shot  300  of the agent pool  115  with a summary of each agent  60  for the seller  55  to view and  FIG. 11  shows a screen shot  305  of the single agent  60  having more detail in the form of index values  130  on that particular agent  60  for the seller  55  to view. Next,  FIG. 12  shows a screen shot  310  of the agent  60  starting point for creating the agent credentialed agent data portal  105  and the agent profile database account  120  thus making up the agent section  120 . Continuing,  FIG. 13  shows a screen shot  315  of a plurality of seller  55  created and input real property pool  65  summaries based upon a portion of the agent criterion  95  parameters  100  in scale item levels  105  that agents  60  can view. 
         [0213]    Broadly, in looking at  FIGS. 1 to 7 , the present invention is of a seller  55  and agent  60  collaboration system  50  for matching a seller  55  with an agent  60  to help consummate a sale of real property  65 . Wherein the system  50  includes a credential protected seller  55  data portal  70  for a single seller  55  to gain access to a seller section  75  and a single seller profile database account  80  created with a non-anonymous  85  seller  55  identification and an anonymous  90  seller  55  identification, as best seen on  FIGS. 1 and 4 . The seller  55  profile database account  80  includes an agent criterion  95  that has a plurality of agent parameters  100 , wherein the seller  55  inputs a unique scale item level  105  for each of the plurality of agent parameters  100  in addition to the seller inputting a unique seller  55  selected weight  110  associated with each agent parameter  100 , see  FIG. 2 . Further included is a credential protected agent  60  data portal  105  for a single agent  60  to gain access to an agent section  110  and a plurality  115  of single agent database accounts  120  defined as an agent pool  115 , see  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Each single agent  60  profile database account  120  is created with a non-anonymous  125  agent  60  identification, the agent  60  profile database account  120  includes an agent criterion  95  that has a plurality of agent parameters  100 , wherein the agent  60  inputs an index value  130  for each of the plurality of agent parameters  100  in addition to the agent  60  inputting a unique agent  60  selected weight  135  associated with each agent parameter  100 , see  FIG. 2 . 
         [0214]    In addition, looking at  FIG. 3  in particular, there are instructions  150  for producing a matching algorithm  155  as between the seller  55  profile database account  80  and the agent pool  115  being the plurality of single agent  60  database accounts  120 , the matching algorithm  155  has a priority rank ordering of the seller  55  selected weights  110  associated with each agent  60  parameter that are matched with each of the plurality of unique agent  60  selected weights  135  associated with each agent parameter  100  such that the seller  55  selected parameter weights  110  and the agent  60  selected parameter weights  135  are equally matched in a pair irrelevant to a particular agent criterion parameter  100  of the seller  55  or the agent  60 . Further, for each equal weighted pair, if the equal weighted pair has identical  161  parameters  100  then a match is sought as between the sellers  55  scale item level  105  and the agent&#39;s  60  index value  130 , termed a first category level range  160 , if no match exists then based upon the sellers  55  parameter  100 , a same parameter  100  adjacent scale item level  166  is checked for a match termed a second category level range  165 , see  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0215]    Further, if no match is found, then based upon the sellers  55  parameter  100 , a same parameter  100  next adjacent scale item level  171  is checked for a match termed a third category level range  170 , if no match exists or the equal weight  110 ,  135  sellers  55  and agent  60  parameters are not the same, iterative instructions  175  are such that sellers  55  next highest weight  110  parameter  100  scale item level  105  is matched to the agent pool  115  to a specific agent  60  whose matching  161  parameter  100  has a highest weight  135 , then a match is sought as between the sellers  55  scale item level  105  and the agent&#39;s  60  index value  130  defined as a first category level range  160 , again see  FIGS. 2 and 3 . If no match exists then based upon the sellers  55  parameter  100 , a same parameter  100  adjacent  166  scale item level  105  is checked for a match termed a second category level range  165 , and if no match is found, then based upon said sellers  55  parameter  100 , a same parameter  100  next adjacent scale item level  171  is checked for a match termed a third category level range  170 , if no match exists the iterative instructions  175  are repeated and instructions for producing an output  180 ,  185  having a specific agent  60  matched with the seller  55 , again see  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0216]    As an example for the matching algorithm  155 , focusing on  FIGS. 2 and 3 , if the seller  55  had a highest weight  110  scale item level  105  of “Geographic specialty-say a particular neighborhood, i.e. Harvey Park” and the seller  55  also had a second highest weight  110  scale item level  105  of “Property type/style specialty-say for instance a tri-level” and the agent  60  had a highest weight  135  index value  130  of “Property type/style specialty-say for instance a single level ranch” and the agent  60  had a second highest weight  135  index value  130  of “a property price range of $200K to $300K, this is what the matching algorithm  155  would do; Don&#39;t forget there will be a pool of agents  115 , we are just using a single agent  60  as an example, thus to start with there will not be a match on the highest weights  110 ,  135  for the seller  55  and agent  60  respectively as the seller  55  has an scale item level  105  of neighborhood specialty of “Harvey Park” and the agent  60  has an index value  130  of “single level ranch”—so we have no match, also we would have no match even if the agent  60  had a top weight  135  index value  130  of another neighborhood such a Bear Valley, however, in that case the first category range  160  would not apply because there was no direct match and thus we move to the second category level range  165  based on the seller&#39;s  55  scale item level  105  we would look for a match at an adjoining neighborhood, which here we have as Bear Valley (agent&#39;s  60  index value  130 ) that is adjacent to Harvey Park (seller&#39;s  55  scale item level  105 ), so we would have a match at a second category level range  65 . 
         [0217]    Going back to what we originally had, the seller  55  had a highest weight  110  scale item level  105  of “Harvey Park” neighborhood and the agent  60  had a highest weight  135  index value  130  of “single level ranch”, so even at the first  160 , second  165 , and third  170  category level ranges, we have no match, so next through the iterative instructions  175  we go to the seller&#39;s  55  next highest weight  110  scale item level  105  of “tri-level” wherein the agent  60  has a highest weight  135  index value  130  of “ranch single level”, so still no match, wherein we have no first category match  150  and even with a second category level range  165  being an adjacent scale item level  105  of “bi-level” on the seller&#39;s  55  side we have no match, however, on the third category level range  170  of  165  being an adjacent scale item level  105  of “ranch single level” we have a match as between the seller  55  and agent  60 . If no matches are found in the agent pool  115 , then the agents  60  are priority ranked first on a weight  110 ,  153  match and second on a first  160 , second  165 , or third  170  category level range match for the seller  55 , however, there is always a “best” match agent  60  to seller  55  that is the output  180  and the subsequent lesser matches output  185  from the agent pool  115  for the seller  55 . Further instructions can be given for confirming the specific agent  60  being available for the seller  55 , wherein the specific agent  60  indicates a positive response for availability to the seller  55  or a negative response for non-availability to the seller  55 , if a negative response the specific agent  60  is removed  182  from the agent pool  115  relative to that particular seller  55  and the step for the matching algorithm  155  is repeated, see  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
         [0218]    As an option on the seller and agent collaboration system  50  the first  160 , second  165 , and third  170  category level ranges are truncated to the first category level range  160  only when the agent criterion parameter  100  is above a selected amount being selected from the group consisting of a desired real property price level range, a square feet of living area, and a square feet of lot area as either scale item levels  105  or index values  130 . As an example for the desired real property  65  price range from the seller  55  on the scale item level  105 , say if the selected amount price is above $500K, then the matching algorithm  155  is optionally going to demand a “tighter fit” of the match of the agent  60  to the seller  55 , essentially eliminating the second  165  and third  170  category level ranges of adjacent and next adjacent scale item levels  105  of the seller  55 , thus requiring an identical parameter  100  match being the scale item level  105  of the seller  55  to the index value  130  of the agent  60 . Thus, in this case the agents  50  are priority ranked on weight  110 ,  135  alone with the seller&#39;s  55  weight  110  or next highest weight  110  for the scale item level  105  being compared or matched to the pool  115  of agents  60  weights  135  for their index values  130 , with the possible agent  60  options for the seller  55  for the outputs  180 ,  185 . 
         [0219]    Also as an option, for the seller and agent collaboration system  50  the instructions  150  for producing an output  180  can further include a plurality  185  of agents  60  matched with the seller  55 , wherein the plurality  185  of agents  60  are ranked from a second closest match to the seller  55  to a least closest match to the seller  55 , see  FIGS. 3 and 10 . 
         [0220]    To further enhance agent  60  and seller  55  communication privacy for the seller and agent collaboration system  50 , a messaging module  190  can be added to enable a confidential seller  55  communication portal  195  that facilitates an initial anonymous  90  one-way only communication  106 ,  200 ,  205  from seller  55  to agent  60  thus blocking communication  205  from the agent  60  to the seller  55 , and subsequent communication as between the seller  55  and agent  60  that is a two-way communication  210  wherein the seller  55  remains anonymous  90  until the seller  55  selectably engages in non-anonymous  85  two-way communication  210  with the agent  60 . This is to protect the seller  55  from sales agent  60  solicitation via letting the seller  55  communication with the agent  60  in a less threatening manner, see in particular  FIG. 4 . 
         [0221]    To enhance credibility and accuracy of the seller and agent collaboration system  50 , and in looking at  FIG. 5 , a seller  55  authentication module  215  can be added that is to certify property  65  related parameters from public records  220  that are from the agent criterion  95  parameters  100  relating to the seller  55  profile database account  80  input, wherein the real property  65  related parameters are selected from the group consisting of property type, square feet of living area, property tax history, number of bedrooms, square feet of lot, heating/cooling system, materials of construction, lot legal description, number of bathrooms, age of property, and parking-off street/carport/garage, and other related items. Being basically seller  55  real property  65  scale item levels  105  of information that can be verified independently from a third party source such as government records, wherein an output of verified and non-verified real property  65  scale item levels  105  from the seller  55  can be listed. 
         [0222]    Further, to enhance credibility and accuracy of the seller and agent collaboration system  50 , and in looking at  FIG. 6 , an agent authentication module  225  can be added that is to certify agent  60  related parameters  100  by agent  60  feedback reviews  230  by only sellers  55  who have used that particular individual agent  60 . The individual index values  130  of the agent criterion  95  parameters  100  that are from the individual agent  60  profile database account  120  that are selected from the group consisting of team approach, singular approach, time priority agent, completeness priority agent, number of years&#39; experience as an agent, number of transactions closed by the agent, type of transactions closed by the agent, geographic specialty of agent, seller selling urgency level, agent feedback rating, property type specialty of agent, agent bio including college education, work history, military, geographic working and living history, agent multiple language fluency, agent license history, and other related items. Thus the end result is confirmation of the agents  60  claims to specific expertise areas based on reviews of the seller  55  customers. 
         [0223]    Further, optionally for the seller and agent collaboration system  50 , the instructions  150  for producing a matching algorithm  155  as between the seller  55  profile database account  80  and the agent pool  115  being the plurality of single agent  60  database accounts  120 , the matching algorithm  155  can include a priority rank ordering of the seller  55  and agent  60  outside or external social media connections that are previously existing. Thus, if the seller  55  and agent  60  are already linked either directly or indirectly through outside or external social media website(s), this can elevate that particular agent  60  within the plurality  185  of agents  60  matched with the seller  55  in the output  180  to rank closer toward the first closest agent  60  match.
   Incorporation by reference to the specification for the source code as follows:   Source code—concurrently submitted as ASCII text files;   Files description: Source code for the novel code of the patent application. Note source code is not submitted for “xib” files that are the “story board&#39; of the application nor are DS_Store files submitted that are the icons and backgrounds of the screen displays.   LOGIN FILES FOLLOW:   File name: MyLoginViewControllerhASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 6, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: MyLoginViewControllermASCII   File size (KB): 5.0   File creation date: May 6, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: MySignUpViewControllerhASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 6, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: MySignUpViewControllermASCII   File size (KB): 5.0   File creation date: May 6, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: SignUpViewControllerhASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 6, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: SignUpViewControllermASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 6, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   AGENT FILES FOLLOW:   File name: AgentTableViewCellhASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: AgentTableViewCellmASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: AgentTableViewControllerhASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: AgentTableViewControllermASCII   File size (KB): 6.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: ProfileControllerhASCII   File size (KB): 2.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: ProfileControllermASCII   File size (KB): 10.0   File creation date: May 31, 2013   Author: Tope   SELLER FILES FOLLOW:   File name: FullView7ControllerhASCII   File size (KB): 2.0   File creation date: April 5, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: FullView7ControllermASCII   File size (KB): 38.0   File creation date: April 5, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: SellerTableViewCellhASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: SellerTableViewCellmASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: SellerTableViewControllerhASCII   File size (KB): 1.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   File name: SellerTableViewControllermASCII   File size (KB): 6.0   File creation date: May 7, 2014   Author: Alex Levy   
 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0302]    Accordingly, the present invention of a Seller and Agent Collaboration System and method has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though; that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained therein.