Patent ID: 8175954

Claim:
A method for offering properties for exchange over a computer network, the properties being offered for exchange by an Agent acting on behalf of at least one Exchangor to at least one Exchangee, the method including the steps of: providing a Master database for storage and dissemination of property listings comprising information pertaining to the properties, the Master database being located on at least one Master server configured for accessing and viewing by an Exchangee to obtain information relating to said properties, the Master server comprising Agent database software; downloading the Agent database software from the Master server to at least one Agent server; providing from the Agent database software downloaded to an Agent server of the at least one Agent servers at least one Agent database on the respective Agent server which stores information pertaining to properties offered for exchange by one or more Exchangors, each Agent database configured to access the Master server to transfer information stored on said Agent database to the Master database; providing a data exchange management program associated with the at least one Agent database, the data exchange management program being configured to manage and record in the Agent database information relating to the stages of exchange of property between an Exchangor and an Exchangee; receiving new property listings into the Agent database; receiving management of existing property listings into the Agent database, using the data exchange management program; receiving an indication via the data exchange management program in the Agent database of property listings which the Agent selects for uploading from the Agent database to the Master database; providing a connection between the Master database and the Agent database to enable said selected property listings for uploading from said Agent database to said Master database; and receiving information relating to said selected property listings in said Master database, and causing said selected property listings to be disseminated by said Master database.