There's a lot of hullabaloo about the recent ruling by the US Court of Appeals about Business Method Patents. On the surface, it would seem that the 1300+ Business Method Patents registered in the US last year are, as of today, INVALID.
I haven't yet seen the research or looked into any specific 'Real Estate Model' method patents, however I do recall hearing that there were quite a few 'new' model companies filing for protection under this process.
I've read that the court ruled there to be a two-pronged test to determine whether a software of business method process patent is valid:
(1) it is tied to a particular machine or apparatus, or
(2) it transforms a particular article into a different state or thing.
We'll see what comes of this in the weeks and months to come, and I'll keep you updated once I've found which, if any company (models) this may affect.
The good news for startups: Perhaps with the protection lifted here, we will see faster and further innovation - making things better and clearing the way for the 'next' iteration of Web 2.0-meets-Real Estate...
Or?...
Who knows.
Tim Mancuso
Consultant, Trusted Advisor
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What's important in a Title Company and/or Title Sales Professional to YOU?
As I travel and visit with Real Estate professionals I often ask them what they feel is important for them in specific industries.
In the Title business, for example, there seem to be far too many companies in existence that focus on their own beliefs about what the industry and the customer wants and needs regarding transaction and settlement services.
With that in mind, I'd like to pose the question here, to all of you - both RE Professional and Consumer alike:
What's important in a Title Company and/or Title Sales Professional to YOU?
Here are a few key features and benefits others have shared with me - please add your own as well.
* Financial Stability and long-term industry presence
* A history of success in the Title Business
* Professionalism in appearance and behavior
* Expertise and Industry Knowledge
* Guaranteed Service Levels
* Taking the time to understand and learn about my specific needs
* Tools and Services that can enhance my business
* Patience
* Mobile Closings (close-anywhere)
* Independent Sales Reps that are empowered to make decisions for their customers
* Cookies at the closing table, and not just chocolate chip (seriously - this is one I've heard a lot!)
* Great rates / pricing
* A deal with my broker/brand
Thank you all for helping to build this list - your feedback is important!
It's also noteworthy to point out here that in many emerging markets globally, there is an honest 'thirst' for Title Insurance. The security we have in the US with our mature Title Insurance markets does not exist in many overseas markets.
More on the International Title Insurance opportunities to come, stay tuned!
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
In the Title business, for example, there seem to be far too many companies in existence that focus on their own beliefs about what the industry and the customer wants and needs regarding transaction and settlement services.
With that in mind, I'd like to pose the question here, to all of you - both RE Professional and Consumer alike:
What's important in a Title Company and/or Title Sales Professional to YOU?
Here are a few key features and benefits others have shared with me - please add your own as well.
* Financial Stability and long-term industry presence
* A history of success in the Title Business
* Professionalism in appearance and behavior
* Expertise and Industry Knowledge
* Guaranteed Service Levels
* Taking the time to understand and learn about my specific needs
* Tools and Services that can enhance my business
* Patience
* Mobile Closings (close-anywhere)
* Independent Sales Reps that are empowered to make decisions for their customers
* Cookies at the closing table, and not just chocolate chip (seriously - this is one I've heard a lot!)
* Great rates / pricing
* A deal with my broker/brand
Thank you all for helping to build this list - your feedback is important!
It's also noteworthy to point out here that in many emerging markets globally, there is an honest 'thirst' for Title Insurance. The security we have in the US with our mature Title Insurance markets does not exist in many overseas markets.
More on the International Title Insurance opportunities to come, stay tuned!
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
Friday, October 24, 2008
Industry Shakeups - Zillow Layoffs
Another sign of the times, Zillow recently announced layoffs of 25% including their Product, Business, and Sales divisions/departments.
I personally commend both Zillow and Rich Barton on the manner in which the layoffs were handled - we can all benefit by taking a play from their book in this regard.
We've seen Simon Baker ousted from RealEstate.com.au, continued cutbacks and closures across the board, and a full-scale pullback from companies from MLS systems providers to large-scale aggregators in both national and international markets.
The $64 (yes, that's still Dollars) question is, what's next, and who will be standing with a viable search and lead generation model to serve the needs of the emerging real estate consumers on a global scale?
Most of the current offerings out of the UK and European markets are simply variations on a theme, providing nothing more than the same old subscription-based models with traditional web-based advertising and little, if any, innovation.
I for one am ready for a FRESH take on this constant theme. It's time for a revolution of sorts - it's been years since we've seen any real innovation here folks, and I'm as guilty as the next (startup) guy.
It's time for a change.
Perhaps the talent on the street, provided by Zillow and others, will spark new opportunities and ideas in our marketplace - IF, and only if, the investors see fit to roll the dice yet again on Real Estate-related enterprises.
The future remains grey. I'm hopeful but not convinced.
Your take? Share it here and let's be real.
-TM
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
I personally commend both Zillow and Rich Barton on the manner in which the layoffs were handled - we can all benefit by taking a play from their book in this regard.
We've seen Simon Baker ousted from RealEstate.com.au, continued cutbacks and closures across the board, and a full-scale pullback from companies from MLS systems providers to large-scale aggregators in both national and international markets.
The $64 (yes, that's still Dollars) question is, what's next, and who will be standing with a viable search and lead generation model to serve the needs of the emerging real estate consumers on a global scale?
Most of the current offerings out of the UK and European markets are simply variations on a theme, providing nothing more than the same old subscription-based models with traditional web-based advertising and little, if any, innovation.
I for one am ready for a FRESH take on this constant theme. It's time for a revolution of sorts - it's been years since we've seen any real innovation here folks, and I'm as guilty as the next (startup) guy.
It's time for a change.
Perhaps the talent on the street, provided by Zillow and others, will spark new opportunities and ideas in our marketplace - IF, and only if, the investors see fit to roll the dice yet again on Real Estate-related enterprises.
The future remains grey. I'm hopeful but not convinced.
Your take? Share it here and let's be real.
-TM
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
Monday, September 8, 2008
Tim Mancuso for President '08
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Realogy Launches Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Franchises - What's the (New) Deal?
The New and (much) Improved Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Brand has emerged.
So the question on the top of our minds is: 'what's the deal'?
In a time where brokerages and brokerage models are under scrutiny by analysts, investors, and the International contingencies, is there room for another traditional brokerage model in the US & Worldwide landscape?
I've seen commentary regarding the limitation for franchisees around 100+ successful agents as a minimum requirement for consideration.
There is also talk that this is the beginning of Zillow's (http://www.zillow.com) foray into the Brokerage arena - an interesting conspiracy theory. . . (check out the 'tight' integration between bhgrealestate.com and Zillow)
Share your thoughts and any additional info here for all of us - we want to know more about this rebirth of Better Homes and Gardens brand in Real Estate. The potential is certainly there for a juggernaut on the Real Estate scene.
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
So the question on the top of our minds is: 'what's the deal'?
In a time where brokerages and brokerage models are under scrutiny by analysts, investors, and the International contingencies, is there room for another traditional brokerage model in the US & Worldwide landscape?
I've seen commentary regarding the limitation for franchisees around 100+ successful agents as a minimum requirement for consideration.
There is also talk that this is the beginning of Zillow's (http://www.zillow.com) foray into the Brokerage arena - an interesting conspiracy theory. . . (check out the 'tight' integration between bhgrealestate.com and Zillow)
Share your thoughts and any additional info here for all of us - we want to know more about this rebirth of Better Homes and Gardens brand in Real Estate. The potential is certainly there for a juggernaut on the Real Estate scene.
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
States suing Lenders - Ramifications, Opinions, and Responsibility
The state of Connecticut (thank you Mrs. McFadden - ed/sp!) sued Countrywide Financial Corp. this week and joined California, Illinois, Florida and US cities including San Diego in allegeing that Countrywide 'misled borrowers' into purchasing home loans they could not afford.
So the question is this: in a highly regulated industry with the levels of oversight and process control(s) present in the mortgage business, is it acceptable - even conceivable - for legal action from a state to come to bear against a (federally controlled) lender?
Obviously, if there are evident, blatant, or criminal actions on the part of the lender and/or it's policies and practices, this would make sense.
- But to sue because the economy in America has run afoul and consumers as a whole are indebted beyond their ability to recover - is this what we've come to?
Share your thoughts, your evidence, your opinions and more here. I have by no means been exhaustive in my research, however I firmly believe that at the least, an equal portion of the responsibility (note I did not say 'blame' here) rests firmly on the consumer.
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
So the question is this: in a highly regulated industry with the levels of oversight and process control(s) present in the mortgage business, is it acceptable - even conceivable - for legal action from a state to come to bear against a (federally controlled) lender?
Obviously, if there are evident, blatant, or criminal actions on the part of the lender and/or it's policies and practices, this would make sense.
- But to sue because the economy in America has run afoul and consumers as a whole are indebted beyond their ability to recover - is this what we've come to?
Share your thoughts, your evidence, your opinions and more here. I have by no means been exhaustive in my research, however I firmly believe that at the least, an equal portion of the responsibility (note I did not say 'blame' here) rests firmly on the consumer.
-Tim Mancuso
International Real Estate Advisor
Speak your Mind! Let your Real Estate Voice be Heard!
International-Real-Estate-Advisor.com
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Real Estate Investor Advice? Freddie and Fannie - Maximum Number of Financed Properties CUT
Has anyone got commentary and/or personal experience on the following re: Fannie and Freddy changing the limit on maximum number of financed properties (investors):
* Freddie went from 10 to 4 as MAX 1-4 unit properties
* Fannie is expected to follow suit
* What, if any options or work-arounds are available to today's investor wanting to capitalize on soft-market pricing advantage(s)?
We are starting to field questions and concerns on this and would like to see the feedback here as a resource for all.
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