US20060242054A1 - Electronic real estate bartering system - Google Patents

Abstract

A real estate bartering system implements barters between a plurality of parties each having one or more classes of items available for barter. Preferably, barter orders are created by designating a selected quantity of a first class of items to be bartered, designating a date range for transferring title of the first class items to be bartered, designating a barter value of the first class of items to be bartered, and designating a second class of items to be acquired. Barter orders are posted via the Internet to a barter database and may be displayed via the Internet. Posted barter orders whose first class of items match the second class of items of a barterer's order are preferably displayed. Posted barter orders from the display are selected to effectuate a barter transaction which combines a barterer's barter order with the selected posted order(s).

Description

BACKGROUND
• The present invention relates to a computer-based website for bartering, exchanging or selling, (hereinafter referred to as bartering), real estate items or securities including, but not limited to, real property, stock, cash (foreign or domestic currencies), web barter dollars (defined below), Himmelstein Options (defined below), CD's, bonds, notes, Option Put, Option Call, Commodities/Futures, Annuities, Muni Bond(s), Government Bonds, Funds, Strips (Zero Coupon Treasuries), Ginnie Mae(s), Fannie Mae(s), Freddie Mac(s), UIT (Unit Investment Trust), T-bills and any future created or defined security, commodity or commodity money wherein a barter order indicating the item to barter and the desired barter item are matched by the website. Barter transactions are made which combine a barterer's barter order with a matching order or combination of orders which the barterer selects or the barterer has automatically selected by the website. All barter transactions incorporate agreements. Agreements, termed Himmelstein Options, permit barterers to agree to a future range of dates: a date after the barter transaction may occur and a date before the barter transaction must occur or the rights of ownership may expire. Himmelstein options also include other conditions or parameters in the agreement as well.
• Automated computer systems matching buy and sell orders for trading stocks, futures and other properties are well known in the art. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,573,747 to Adams, et al., which discloses a system for matching buy and sell orders for fungible properties between traders. After the initial match, one embodiment of this system allows traders to negotiate other terms of the transaction while all traders are continuously appraised of the negotiation status. The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,287 to Braddock relates to trading stock and discloses a central computer that matches buy and sell orders from a plurality of user terminals. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,652 to Lupien, et al. a computer network with a plurality of trader terminals matches buy and sell orders incorporating a satisfaction density profile. The density profile provides a measure for maximizing the mutual satisfaction of all traders.
• Computer systems to match bids and offers are also well known in the art. The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,201 to Wagner matches bids and offers for future commodity contracts and detects illegal trade practices. U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,165 to Ordish, et al., discloses a network system and further provides confirmation timing and notification messaging to the traders. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,082 to Silverman, et al., a negotiated matching system matches bids and offers based on a criteria that includes “ranking” data. The ranking data is comprised of credit and risk information to facilitate the best matches with respect to risk management. Another aspect of this same system permits traders to negotiate directly with each other prior to or after an initial match is made by the system. The system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,801 to Matsubara et al. also matches bids and offers, and in one embodiment, credit criteria is considered in the match.
• Another computer system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,071 to Ferstenberg, et al. includes an intermediary computer program and an electronic agent computer program which can operate over the Internet. The intermediary computer program mediates offers and counter-offers for financial commodities. Goals, expressed as either a set of computer rules or as an objective with constraints, are set by the participants and the electronic agent computer program generates counter-offers according to the goals in response to offers from the intermediary computer program. In one embodiment of the system, a calculated “fairness measure” is used to determine satisfaction of the participants goals.
• None of these patents address a bartering, exchanging or selling system whereby an individual trader constructs a barter order by establishing trading parameters that include an item to be bartered and a desired item to be received. Additionally, since each of the prior art systems are tailored to a particular market or type of security, they are extremely limited. These systems do not permit flexibility in trading one type of security for another type, or even one type of security for real property.
SUMMARY
• The present invention is a barter system utilizing a computer system linked to a website to effectuate a tax deferred exchange for barter items including real estate property, real estate leases and all types of securities. A tax deferred exchange permits a property owner to trade one property for another without having to pay federal income tax on the transaction. Tax deferred exchanges are authorized by Section 1031 of the IRS code. This system meets the requirements of Section 1031 and other sections of the IRS code to ensure that an exchange is done properly so the tax on the transaction may be deferred.
• The system is accessed directly at a website called “eBarterRealestate.com.” The system assists an individual with setting up a new account, including information regarding the property they want to exchange. The information could be downloaded from real estate websites or real estate offices if an individual had previously provided the pertinent information to a real estate agent. The system allows the individual to enter information about their property, (including videos, pictures, asking price), and display various other types of information such as real estate taxes, assessment, equalization value (if applicable), appraised value etc. This information would be posted for others to look at and evaluate. If there is a “boot” (i.e. excess funds) left over, the system can hold funds in escrow, return excess funds, donate the funds to a preselected charity or allow individuals to barter for other property or a portion of an existing property.
• The present invention permits bartering of items or securities including but not limited to real estate, stock, cash (foreign or domestic currencies), web barter dollars, Himmelstein Options, CD's, bonds, notes, Option Put, Option Call, Commodities/Futures, Annuities, Muni Bond(s), Government Bonds, Funds, Strips (Zero Coupon Treasuries), Ginnie Mae(s), Fannie Mae(s), Freddie Mac(s), UIT (Unit Investment Trust), T-bills and any future created or defined security, commodity or commodity money. A Himmelstein Option is an agreement to barter items or securities with specific conditions for a settlement date (i.e. rights to acquire) to occur after a specified date and before a specified date. These dates may be the same. The before date may be indefinite. Himmelstein's Options (i.e. the portion of the barter transaction that is to be acquired) may be sold for cash or bartered (i.e. assign their rights or transfer their rights for a different security). In other words, the Himmelstein Option agreement, once acquired may be assigned without the written consent of the issuer/creator. This means that acquirer may transfer his rights to acquire the security or other item which is the subject of a Himmelstein Option to someone else.
• The user, termed the barterer, creates a barter order that is posted and/or matched against a website database of other posted barter orders. To implement a barter, the barterer selects a posted barter order from a display of matching barter orders. Barter orders include minimum criteria such as an identification of items to be bartered, an identification of items desired, market value of the items to be bartered and value determined by the barterer. Criteria such as the Himmelstein Option having barter date ranges (i.e. date upon which the actual ownership of the barter items changes hands) and value ranges add to the flexibility of the system. The flexibility in timing utilizing the Himmelstein Option facilitates the ability to potentially defer adverse tax consequences and to defer the creation of taxable events.
• It an object of this invention to provide a flexible barter system which allows ownership acquisition deferral and the matching of multi-order barter transactions. Other objects and advantages will become apparent after reviewing a detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a diagram of a bartering system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an example barter database and barter order in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a multi-order barter transaction in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIGS. 4A-4E are flowcharts of a typical barter ordering session and barter transaction in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIGS. 5A-5F are portions of screen displays illustrating the creation of a sample barter order in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 6 is an example of a barter transaction screen in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIGS. 7A-7E are schematic illustrations of several different types of barter transactions which may be implemented according to the teachings of the present invention.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of the components of a barter posting module in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
• FIGS. 9A and 9B are tables illustrating general and specific parameters for classes of barter items that are preferably utilized in a barter system made using a Himmelstein Option in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Specifically, the “barter/settlement date, open/close” column in the tables is a condition or parameter included in the Himmelstein Option.
• FIG. 10 is a bartering system in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS.11AA,11AB,11BA and11BB are tables illustrating general and specific parameters for classes of barter items that are preferably utilized in a barter system in accordance with the alternative embodiment.
• FIG. 11C is a table of parameters for a real estate transaction.
• FIG. 12A is an example barter database.
• FIG. 12B is an example barter order.
• FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a multi-order barter transaction in accordance with the teachings of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 14A-14E are flowcharts of a typical barter ordering session and barter transaction in accordance with the teachings of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 15A-15F are portions of screen displays illustrating the creation of a sample barter order in accordance with the teachings of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 is an example of a barter transaction screen in accordance with the teachings of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 17A-17D are schematic illustrations of several different types of barter transactions which may be implemented according to the teachings of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of the components of a barter posting module in accordance with the teachings of the alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings where like numerals represent like elements throughout.
• The Himmelstein Option is a new type of financial interest being created by the present invention. Utilizing Himmelstein Option(s) allows the present invention to create a new type of market (“virtual market”), whereby barters may own and/or barter Himmelstein Options for Himmelstein Options, indefinitely, without having to possibly incur ordinary or capital gains taxes. Furthermore, as long as the individual who owns a Himmelstein Option or is in the possession of a Himmelstein Option does not go to settlement and “take title”, the actual owner of the security defers a taxable event.
• The system creates web barter dollars to further its ability to facilitate a virtual market. Web barter dollars are the system's currency with a unit (commodity dollar) which is preferably set to equal the U.S. dollar or some other standard such as foreign currency, gold etc. The system, for example, uses web barter dollars to track an “I owe you” (“IOU”) to individuals giving up a security but not simultaneously receiving a security back. Preferably, the system uses web barter dollars to supplement or balance a barter in lieu of other currencies such as the U.S. dollar. Using web barter dollars or cash simplifies the matching of barter orders where items of unequal value are traded.
• When converting IOUs or web barter dollars to a different security, the system may charge a different fee based on the age of the IOUs. For instance, if the IOU is to be held longer, the system may charge a lower percentage or lower fee to convert to U.S. dollars. Further, the system may charge a different fee or a different percentage based on the relationship with a particular individual requesting the conversion. The system and barterers may barter web barter dollars for cash at different values. For example, the system may charge a fee to convert from web barter dollars to cash, but as an incentive provide extra web barter dollars for cash. Should there ever be a need to have the system redefine or modify its definition for IOUs or web barter dollars, the system reserves the right (in the Agreement(s)) and can do so. For example, the system may change IOU's or web barter dollars to system funds which are portable and permit a barterer to transfer shares of system funds to specific institutions without having to redeem shares and possibly incur a taxable event. Accordingly, those skilled in the art should recognize that the system can be configured to perform any, and all stock market, banking and financial institution functions.
• Referring toFIG. 1, anexemplary barter system100 is illustrated which utilizes a computer-based website that may effectuate a tax-free exchange or tax deferred exchange for swapping barter items. Barter items are defined including, but not limited to, stock, cash (foreign or domestic currencies), web barter dollars, Himmelstein Options, CD's, bonds, notes, Option Put, Option Call, Commodities/Futures, Annuities, Muni Bond(s), Government Bonds, Funds, Strips (Zero Coupon Treasuries), Ginnie Mae(s), Fannie Mae(s), Freddie Mac(s), UIT (Unit Investment Trust), T-bills and any future created or defined security, commodity or commodity money. Bartering different categories of items is supported by thesystem100. For example, stocks can be bartered for bonds. Thesystem100 provides for its own “web-barter dollars” which may be accumulated or traded by barters using thesystem100 and are particularly useful in facilitating barters where items of unequal value are traded.
• Thesystem100 preferably includes abarter website106 which is accessed via an investingcompany website102, or directly via the Internet using a computer such as apersonal computer114 or a wireless hand-held computer withInternet connectivity110. Optionally, thesystem100 may be incorporated as part of an existing investing company's website.
• In the case of access via an investingcompany website102, the barterer uses a computer such as apersonal computer108, aportable computer116 or a wireless hand-held computer withInternet capability112 to select a “Barter”icon103 that incorporates alink104 to thebarter website106. Once the icon is selected, the trader's investing company account information is transferred via alink104 to thebarter website106. In this manner, thebarter website106 is produced with all of the relevant particulars of each item owned by the individual trader. For example, in the case of bonds, thewebsite106 preferably includes the entity that issued bonds, amount of bonds, market value, interest date and due date data. In the case of stocks, thebarter website106 preferably includes data indicating company, number of shares, market value and whether dividends are reinvested. Using thelink104, thebarter website106 is transparent to a barterer accessing it via the investingcompany website102.
• Thesystem100 can be further interfaced with traditional brokers so traditional brokers and clients without the resources to go directly “online” can barter in the same manner.
• While thebarter system100 supports bartering different categories of items such as stocks, Himmelstein Options for stocks, notes, Himmelstein Options for notes, bonds, and Himmelstein Options for bonds, an online investing company hosting the “Barter”icon103 can limit barters to certain categories of items. For example, an investment company website that provides online stock trading may chose to limit thebarter website106 to only stock and/or Himmelstein Options for stock and/or Himmelstein Option barters. This allows someone (a barterer) to acquire a Himmelstein Option which is, in this case, the right to own stock at a future date which allows the other barterer the ability to delay or defer the taxable event. This is accomplished by setting an appropriate filter so that only stock and/or Himmelstein Option is identified in the barter orders. Preferably, such a filter also allows use of web-barter dollars and/or cash which enables a wider range of barter orders to be matched and barter transactions to be completed.
• Regardless of the items bartered, thebarter website106 comprises three main components: abarter ordering module105, a posted barterorder database module117 and abarter matching engine118. Optionally, thesystem100 may include a separate database (not shown) of each individual's portfolio for all securities. In general, thebarter ordering module105 permits a trader, herein referred to as the barterer, to create a barter order that includes the item to be traded, the item desired and additional parameters related to the barter order.
• The table set forth inFIG. 9A reflects typical parameters associated with various classes of items or securities to be identified in a barter order. In each barter order, the appropriate parameters are identified for both the item to be traded and the item to be acquired so that the barter order comprises two sets of item parameters. The two sets of parameters may be quite different where the two items which are the subject of the barter order are of a different class or type.
• Each portfolio item, regardless of type or classes, can be transformed into a Himmelstein Option agreement by defining a future date or range of dates for settlement using the last column in the tableFIG. 9A. The Himmelstein Option is posted for immediate barter, but is subject to the specific settlement date or range identified.
• A Himmelstein Option permits a security to go “under agreement” with a specific future closing date, (similar to a purchase of real estate). Presently, the IRS does not treat this as a taxable event at the time of the agreement. An individual who owns a Himmelstein Option may barter it again (with the same or different terms as the original agreement) without having settlement and obtaining ownership of the underlying security. Obviously, “different terms” are limited to a subset of terms of the original Himmelstein Option agreement that was issued.
• The “standard” Himmelstein Option requires that the individual acquiring the Himmelstein Option must put up the full amount of the desired security at that time, (i.e. and nothing at settlement). If the desired security is also a Himmelstein Option, providing the rights to acquire or transferring the rights meets this requirement. It should be noted that each Himmelstein option may have different future dates for settlement. The IRS may attempt to claim that this constitutes a derivative. However, if an individual is bartering away a security and barters for a security, on future dates utilizing Himmelstein Options, they are receiving a derivative and giving away a derivative. Consequently, in most cases, these derivatives in essence, “cancel out.” Thesystem100 may further require that the barterers agree on the value for the Himmelstein Option should the IRS consider it a derivative. Preferably, the system sets the “barter value” as the default agreed upon value.
• The person who issues a Himmelstein Option or barters an acquired Himmelstein Option chooses the future date or range of dates for settlement and value which must be accepted by the acquirer. If there was a future range of dates given for settlement, it is the choice of the person acquiring the Himmelstein Option to go to settlement within the specified range. The “standard” Himmelstein Option automatically goes to settlement on the final day should the person acquiring the Himmelstein Option not choose a date. Thesystem100 may charge an additional fee for the actual settlement.
• When an individual creates a barter order for any security, thesystem100 produces an Agreement of Barter, Exchange or Sale (i.e. terms and conditions). Barterers, in essence, fill in the “blanks” of the Agreement of Barter, Exchange or Sale. Thesystem100 may also require electronic signatures to accompany the Agreement or may create a parallel Agreement for each barterer for simplicity and anonymity purposes. The Agreement is also with thesystem100, providing various conditions or rights that thesystem100, intermediary or designated agent(s) has with the barterer.
• At settlement, title to the security or financial interest which is the subject of the Himmelstein Option is transferred. For stock, for example, settlement may require the actual transference of Stock Certificates. Preferably the traded stocks are not in paper certificate form so that a book entry of the stock transfer may be made to transfer title.
• Once bartered, a Himmelstein Option cannot be canceled by its creator. Himmelstein Options may continually be bartered without being required to have settlement. Examples of a Himmelstein Option with appropriate parameters for each of nine different classes/types of items are set forth in the table ofFIG. 9B. Similar toFIG. 9A, inFIG. 9B each row shows one of the items of a barter order, i.e. an item to be bartered or an item to be acquired. A Himmelstein Option may be identified as a “to be bartered item” and actual stock may be identified as a “to be acquired item” in a given complete barter order. A Himmelstein Option may be acquired via the barter system as soon as it is posted, but the actual ownership of the financial interest which is the subject of the option is not transferred to the acquiring party until the acquiring party exercises the Himmelstein Option during the settlement period.
• When the barterer creates a barter order, thesystem100 creates an order number referencing the barter order. Thesystem100 may randomly create or code barter order numbers so only thesystem100 is aware of the age of a barter order and the identity of the barterer. The posted barterorder database module116 accumulates posted barter orders and includes the software to add, delete and maintain the data in the database. Thebarter matching engine118 selectively matches a barterer's barter order with posted barter orders in thedatabase116. Posted barter orders “matching” a barterer's order are displayed such that the barterer can select a candidate or candidates from the displayed listing of matching posted orders. The matching process functionally operates as a filter to display posted orders matching a selected criteria. Preferably, the filter is set to match the barterer's selected item to be acquired with posted orders having the same item to be bartered. The quantity of the selected item may also be used for filtering to require a direct quantity match or a match within a quantity range. The barterer's selected item to be bartered is also a preferred criteria for the matching filter, so that postings are displayed of barter orders which seek to acquire the item selected to be bartered by the barterer. A preferred filter includes both the barterer's selected item to be bartered and selected item to be acquired. Optionally, the filter may allow both specific items of a class as well as Himmelstein Options for the specific items. Thus, where a barterer's desired item is IBM stock, posted barter orders seeking to barter away IBM stock or Himmelstein Options for IBM stock are displayed as matches.
• Thebarter matching engine118 is configurable to either match one “best” posted order or multiple posted orders with a barterer's order. Thebarter engine118 can also be configured to use the barter website (or an entity chosen by the website) as an intermediary as explained in greater detail below.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a typical stock and/or Himmelstein Option for stock and/or Himmelstein Option barter transaction involving sample posted barter orders204-224 stored in adatabase216 ofmodule116 and a sample barterer'sbarter order226. In this example, the barter order includes the stock to be bartered indicated bystock symbol228, thequantity230 of the stock to be bartered, thevalue232 at which the barterer is willing to barter, the desiredstock234 indicated by stock symbol, thevalue236 the barterer is willing to barter for the desired stock, and an “*” indicating the ownership of the Himmelstein Option for the stock instead of ownership of the stock itself. Preferably, the settlement date(s) are displayed for all Himmelstein Options. The stock values of a barter order need not be a fixed value. For example, values identified for several of the postedbarter orders204,208,212,218-224 are based on the current market price of at least one of the respective stocks.Barterer order226 indicates that the barterer has 45shares230 of Dupont stock (stock symbol DD)228 which the barterer is willing to trade at a value of $20 pershare232 for Aetna stock (stock symbol AET)234 at a value of $90 pershare236. If the matching criteria is set to match only the barterer's acquire item selection (including Himmelstein Options for the item),orders204,206,208 are displayed. If the matching criteria is set to match only the barterer's barter item selection (including Himmelstein Options for the item),orders206,208,216 are displayed. If the matching criteria is set to match either the barterer's barter or acquire item selection (including Himmelstein Options for the item),orders204,206,208,216 are displayed. If the matching criteria is set to match both the barterer's barter and acquire item selections (including Himmelstein Options for the item),orders206 and208 are displayed. Anorder combining orders204 and216 may also be displayed in that situation.
• Other criteria such as market value and the other parameters identified inFIGS. 9A and 9B for each barter item may be displayed and used for matching. For example, where barter value is required to be matched, if the market value of Dupont stock is $20 per share, thebarter engine118 matches theorder226 with only one of the posted barter orders fromdatabase216 namely, with postedbarter order208 from thedatabase216 since this postedorder208 barters Aetna stock for Dupont stock at the same value prices.
• Where an additional matching parameter is set that all of an item of a barter order must be bartered, the Himmelstein Option for all 100 Aetna shares of postedbarter order208 must be bartered. In the example, thebarter matching engine118 would then fail to matchbarter order226 with any posted order unless thebarter website106 acts as an intermediary as described below. Conversely, in an embodiment where the barter orders include a minimum share barter parameter, thebarter engine118 matches bartererorder226 if the minimum share parameter of the postedbarter order208 is less than 11 shares.
• FIG. 3 illustrates amulti-order barter selection300 having first302, second308, third314 and fourth320 barter orders according to the present invention. Multi-order barter selection may be used either when no single barter order matches are found irrespective of whether single barter orders matches are found in order to find all potential available barters among the posted barter orders. In this example, thebarter engine118 cannot fulfill thefirst barter order302 with a single one of theother barter orders308,314 or320. Thefirst barter order302 barters Microsoft stock (stock symbol MSFT)304 for RedHat stock (stock symbol RHAT)306. None of the other posted database orders barter RHAT for MSFT, butbarter order302 can be fulfilled if intermediate barters are matched. Thebarter matching engine118 matches intermediate barters using several methods. In one embodiment,barter matching engine118 searches for a posted barter order having a desired stock/Himmelstein Option that matches the barterer's stock/Himmelstein Option to be traded. Since postedbarter order320 lists MSFT as the desiredstock324 and thefirst barter order302 stock to be bartered isMSFT304, thebarter matching engine118 search for the first half of thefirst barter302 has been satisfied. However, the barter matching engine must find a match for the desiredstock306 for thefirst barter order302 and must also find a match for thefirst half322 of the third barter order,320. Accordingly, the barter matching engine must find a transaction that satisfies the desired stock Oracle (stock symbol ORCL)322 of thethird barter order320.
• Thebarter matching engine118 searches for an order that trades ORCL for RHAT in order to make a two posted order barter transaction. However, in the example, there is no posted order that trades these two stocks, so thebarter matching engine118 locatesbarter order308 that trades Puma Technologies (stock symbol PUMA)310 forORCL312. Thebarter matching engine118 then searches for another posted barter order that trades RHAT for PUMA to find a transaction candidate.Barter order314 meets this criteria in thatRHAT316 is traded forPUMA318. Accordingly,barterer order302 can be satisfied through postedbarter orders320,308 and314. In a preferred embodiment so as to make the multi-order transactions transparent to the barterer,barter matching engine118 displays multi-order barters as a single “phantom” posted barter order. Thematching engine118 creates a transaction and displays this phantom barter order in the list of matching barter candidates. The barterer simply selects the phantom barter order to finalize the multi-order barter transaction. In these examples, it is assumed that the values and other parameters set by the barterers permit all barter orders to occur.
• In another method for locating multi-order barters,barter matching engine118 begins by searching for the barterer's desiredstock306 first. Barter engine locatesbarter order314 that tradesRHAT316 forPUMA318. Continuing in this manner, the engine locates the same posted barter orders as above, but in the reverse order. In general, theengine118 attempts to link multiple barter orders. One of ordinary skill in the art of software programming appreciates that a recursive algorithm is well suited for generation of such a linked list.
• The operation ofbarter ordering module105 allows the barterer to enter the barter order. In one embodiment of the present invention, the barterer selects minimum barter order parameters such as the specific stock, quantity and value price of the stock to be bartered in addition to the desired stock and value price for the stock desired. Once these minimum parameters are selected, other parameters are set to default settings determined bybarter ordering module105. In another embodiment, order parameters have interdependencies. For example, a barterer selects a quantity of shares of a stock to be traded as 100 shares and sets the per share value price to $15. The total value of the stock, $1,500, is computed by the barter ordering module as the product of the quantity of shares, 100, and the per share value price, $15. In the case where the barterer subsequently changes the total value of the stock from $1,500 to $2,000, the per share value price of the stock changes automatically to $20 since the value per share must be $20 to achieve the $2,000 total value with the 100 shares.
• Barter orders may be created for stock and Himmelstein Option for stock barters as illustrated in flowchartsFIGS. 4A-4E and the screen displays ofFIGS. 5A-5F where the barterer is prompted through each step of the barter order creation process. For bartering other securities or financial interests, including Himmelstein Options, the bartering steps and screen displays are modified to preferably accommodate all of the parameters for the classes of items identified inFIGS. 9A-9B.
• Thesystem100 in its most generalized configuration permits barters of different securities, financial interests (including Himmelstein Options), or classes of items, i.e. Himmelstein Option for stocks for bonds, foreign currency for Himmelstein Option for T-bills, commodities for stocks, options for T-bills etc. The most generalized configuration of thesystem100 permits a barter to select any item in the barterer's portfolio of securities or financial interest as the subject of a Himmelstein Option which is immediately available for bartering where the title to the security or financial interest is not actually transferred until the Himmelstein Option is exercised in the range of settlement dates specified by the barterer creating the Himmelstein Option. Where a barterer's portfolio includes such Himmelstein Options, that barterer may create a Himmelstein Option of the Himmelstein Option in which case the range of settlement dates would be within the settlement date range of the original Himmelstein Option.
• In the example ofFIGS. 4 and 5,barter website106 is accessed via an online stock trading company that limits bartering to stocks, Himmelstein Options for stock, cash, web barter dollars and combinations thereof. The flowchart ofFIG. 4A begins after the trader selects “Barter”icon103. Accordingly,barter ordering module105 has received from the online stock trading website a barterer's list of currently owned stocks, Himmelstein Options for stock, web barter dollars and cash in the barterer's portfolio as well as the quantity and other specifics of these securities vialink104. Atstep402FIG. 4A, the website displays all of the barterer's stock, Himmelstein Options for stock, web barter dollars and cash available for barter. Instep404, The barterer selects from the displayed items instep402.
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 5A, asymbol502 representing a selection of the barterers portfolio of stocks, Himmelstein Options for stock, web barter dollars and cash is displayed. The barterer selects, thedownward triangle501, to display all available stocks, Himmelstein Options for stock, web barter dollars and cash as shown in503, an * indicating the ownership of a Himmelstein Option for the stock and date or range of dates for settlement instead of ownership of the stock itself. Preferably, blanks are provided to indicate an indefinite opening or closing for the Himmelstein Option settlement period. For example, the DuPont Option, DD* is depicted having an indefinite closing date.
• The system preferably further indicates if the barterer's security is currently included in a posted barter order requiring the barterer to cancel said posted barter order prior to selecting the security for a new barter order. Optionally, an alphabetical list of companies and/or stock symbols is displayed for alphabetical searching and/or theportfolio quantity504 of the stock is also displayed. The barterer may enter the selecteditem502 by typing it in. Preferably when the barterer begins typing the name or symbol of the company, the barter ordering module locates the first listed item that matches the entered characters. Alternatively, the portfolio is displayed for selection via an array of pull downmenus507, each displaying one class of the items of the barterer's portfolio.
• Once the barterer locates and selects the item to be traded, the total quantity of the selected item in the barterer's portfolio (as may be provided by the online stock trading website) is automatically displayed instep406 ofFIG. 4A as the quantity to be bartered. Atstep408, the barterer can modify the quantity to be bartered410. As shown inFIG. 5A, thequantity504 can be modified via selection of thedirectional arrows505 or the barterer can enter a new quantity value. In either case, in this embodiment thebarter order module105 does not allow a quantity value that exceeds the quantity owned by the barterer. Alternatively, thesystem100 may be configured to permit the barterer to select a range of quantities to be bartered. For example, the barterer may specify a range such as 50-100 shares for barter.
• Preferably, thebarter ordering module105 has access to trading prices atstep412 ofFIG. 4A, so that the trading price of the selected stock is displayed along with the time and date of the trading price as illustrated indisplay section506 ofFIG. 5A. A fixed per share value of the stock or Himmelstein Option508 ofFIG. 5B is initially set to the trading price. If barterers are trading away cash or web barter dollars, thesystem100 in that instance may rearrange the screens and prompt the security being bartered for prior to prompting the cash or web barter dollars being traded away. As one skilled in the art will realize, the fields which are not applicable to cash or web barter dollars are modified to properly reflect what is being bartered. Atstep414 ofFIG. 4A, the barterer can elect to trade at the displayed trading price or select anew barter value416. AsFIG. 5B illustrates, the barterer can change the default fixed per share value508 or select the value of the stock to be bartered based on the fluctuating stock trading price by selecting block510.
• By selecting the fluctuating value price, the value fluctuates until a barter transaction is finalized by a subsequent barterer who selects the barter order. For example, if IBM stock was trading at $115 per share and the barterer selects “barter at current stock trading price”, the barter price would be $115 per share if the transaction occurred instantaneously. However, if the barter transaction occurred two weeks later and the stock trading price dropped to $110, then $110 would be the barter value price. Likewise, if the stock trading price went up, then the barter price would be that higher price.
• Optionally, the barter value can be based upon the current stock trading price plus or minus a certain value or percentage instep416 inFIG. 4A and atstep511 inFIG. 5B or the barter value can range around a fluctuating trading price specified as either a value amount or a percentage of the fluctuating trading price. To do this the barterer selects a range around the fluctuating stock value as illustrated inFIG. 5B at512,518. The range can be avalue amount514,517 or a percentage of the fluctuatingtrading price516,519. By selectingboxes512 or518, the barterer selects whether the range is added to or subtracted from the fluctuating value. For example, if the range was set to plus 1 percent at step416 (by selectingbox512 and entering 1% in box516) and the market price for IBM stock to be bartered, at the time of the barter transaction was $115 per share, a posted barter order with a value price between $115 and $116.15 would match the barterer's order. A barterer may issue a Himmelstein Option to barter away IBM stock as low as minus 9 percent of the $115 IBM market price by checkingbox518 and entering 9% atbox519 so that a posted barter order with a value price between $104.65 and $115 would match the barterer's order.
• Once the value of the item to be bartered is selected instep416 ofFIG. 4A, the barter ordering module displays atstep418 ofFIG. 4B the total barter amount and the percentage or dollar amount of the value price in relation to the available market price per share inFIG. 5B, at520. Should a range of value price be selected, thedisplay520 is modified to reflect such. In the example ofFIG. 5B, the barterer can change thebarter value520 by clicking on a “change”icon522 and going through the appropriate steps or accept thevalue520 by clicking on a “continue”icon523. This is also shown atstep420 ofFIG. 4B.
• Atstep422 ofFIG. 4B, barter order fee amounts are displayed. Fee amounts, as illustrated in samplescreen display lines524 and526 ofFIG. 5C, are determined based on whether the barter order is to be posted to thebarter order database524 or the barter should occur with the barter website directly526.
• Atstep424 ofFIG. 4B, the barterer selects the time in which the barter order is valid. As illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG. 5C, timingoptions528 are displayed once the barter selects the down arrow. The five options are:
• 1) day only;
• 2) good until canceled;
• 3) fill or kill;
• 4) immediate or cancel; or
• 5) only view the current posts.
• The “day only” options means that the barter order can be posted to the posted barter database only until the end of the day. Thereafter, the barter order are expunged from the posted barter order database. The “good until canceled” option means that the barter order remains posted to the posted barter order database until it is canceled by the barterer. If the “fill or kill” timing option is selected, the entire quantity must be filled or the barter order is canceled. With “fill or kill” timing, the barter order is not be added to the posted barter order database, but the database is searched for a match. Similarly, a barter order is not added to the posted barter order database if the “immediate or cancel” timing is selected. In this case, a posted barter order for only part of the barterer's quantity matches the barterer's order. The last timing option, “only view the current posts”, never adds the barter order to the posted barter order database. Instead, thebarter matching engine118 displays the current matches found in the posted barter order database.
• Atstep426 ofFIG. 4B, the barterer may select special conditional parameters. The available special conditions are “minimum quantity,” “do not reduce,” “all or none,” and “deferred settlement.” Thedisplay portion530 ofFIG. 5C illustrates one means of selecting special conditions. In this embodiment, the barterer may select one of the conditions by selecting a corresponding box. If the minimum quantity condition is selected, the barterer then either adjusts the display quantity via the arrows or enters a minimum quantity value. The default minimum quantity may be set to equal thebarter quantity504. Selecting “do not reduce” means the per share value will not be reduced even if the transaction date is the stock's dividend date. If the barterer selects the “all or none” option, all barter matches must barter the entire quantity of the stock to be traded away.
• Selecting the “deferred settlement” condition creates a Himmelstein Option of the item being bartered. The barterer is then required to identify open and close settlement dates, which may be the same. If the barterer is already bartering a Himmelstein Option, thebarter ordering module105 automatically selects “deferred settlement” and displays the date used by the original creator/issuer. The barterer may modify the dates as long as the modified dates are within the range of dates used by creator/issuer. Optionally, atstep531,FIG. 5C the barterer may enter a subsequent amount of the security or a different security to be provided at settlement. As hereinbefore described, the system will prompt barterer to include minimum criteria to clearly identify the security and the value.
• Atstep428 ofFIG. 4B, if the desired security is stock, the barterer selects between three choices for the desired stock with respect to a dividend reinvestment option. Accordingly, the barterer chooses between: 1) the stock must have a dividend reinvestment program; 2) the stock must not have a dividend reinvestment program; or 3) accept new stock with or without a dividend reinvestment program. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5D, the barterer selects the desired option by selecting the corresponding box insection532.
• Atstep429 ofFIG. 4B, the barterer chooses the type of barter they wish to transact, (i.e. a direct barter only or permit the website to act as the barterer or use an intermediary if a direct barter is not available). The barterer can request a direct barter with an order from the posted barter database at a first fee rate, or in the alternative for a second fee rate, the barterer can request the website to be the barterer. The first and second fee rates may be the same or change independent of each other. At times to promote automated website bartering, depending on the securities to be bartered, the second fee rate may be set at a relatively low rate, or it may be set to a premium rate for the automated service. According to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5D, the barterer selects the type of transaction insection534.
• Following the selection of barter type,step429, posted barter orders may optionally be displayed430 based on matches of posted order “to be acquired” items with the barterer's “to be bartered item.” In the case of a direct barter, a trade can be displayed immediately if a match is found in the database, or the barterer can complete and post the order to the database and await a match from a subsequent barterer. In the case of a barter with the website, the transaction is displayed immediately provided the website can buy or obtain the stock, Himmelstein Option, web barter dollars or cash desired by the barterer. Here, the website uses a predetermined formula including taking into account the relationship with the barterer to calculate the fee for this type of transaction.
• The barterer selects the desired stock, Himmelstein Option, web barter dollars or cash price to acquire for the barter order atstep431 ofFIG. 4B. If the barterer's desired security is a stock, Himmelstein Option, web barter dollars or cash, the barterer checks the appropriate box indisplay537 as illustrated inFIG. 5D. Optionally, if the barterer's desired security is stock, thesystem100 displays all stock and Himmelstein Options for the desired stock in the database, allowing the barterer to accept a Himmelstein Option in lieu of actual stock. In a manner similar to that of selecting a stock to be traded from the barterer's portfolio,stock symbols535 are displayed upon selection of a down arrow. Optionally, the barterer can select from a list ofindustries536 wherein thestock symbols535 are filtered to list only those related to the selected industry. Alternatively, a merged alphabetical list of companies and/or stocks is shown for alphabetical searching. Additionally, thesystem100 can be configured to show various companies (in a predefined sort) including the symbol and predefined financial information.
• If the barterer chooses a stock or Himmelstein Option, by selecting it, thesystem100 displays thesymbol535 pertaining to the chosen company. Next, instep432 ofFIG. 4C the barter ordering module informs the barterer of the available stock trading price of the desired stock/Himmelstein Option, along with the current date and time. One method of displaying the price is illustrated inFIG. 5D atsection538.
• The barter value of the desired item defaults to the available stock trading price atsection540 of the display ofFIG. 5E for stock, or Himmelstein Option. Further, if thesystem100 had a barterer trading a stock or Himmelstein Option for cash or web barter dollars, thesystem100 may prompt in540, the stock trading price of the stock or Himmelstein Option being traded away. The barterer can accept the displayed value atstep434 or select a new value atstep436 ofFIG. 4C. In the display ofFIG. 5E, the desired stock value for stock or Himmelstein Option can be selected similar to that of selecting the stock value to be traded. The barterer can select a fixedvalue using box540 or a value plus or minus the stock trading price (similar to step S11, as shown inFIG. 5B) or a fluctuating stock value range insection541 in a manner as described in connection with510-519 ofFIG. 5B. The stock value can range around a fluctuating trading price specified as either a value amount or a percentage of the fluctuating trading price. Thereafter, as indicated in the flowchart ofFIG. 4C atstep438, the total desired barter amount and percentage or dollar amount to the stock trading price is displayed as illustrated insample display542 ofFIG. 5F. Atstep440 ofFIG. 4C, the barterer can change the barter value of the desired item which steps can be implemented by clicking the “change” icon ofdisplay section542 ofFIG. 5F.
• Atstep442 ofFIG. 4C, the present invention assists the barterer in determining whether the barter order is financially advantageous to the barterer. Several ratio formulas, termed Himmelstein Value Ratios, are provided to assist the barterer. In the embodiment ofFIG. 5F atsection544, the barter ordering module selects the specific formula and the Himmelstein Value Ratio is displayed. The barterer may then change the barter order perstep444 by selecting a change icon insection544 of the displayFIG. 5F.
• In an alternative embodiment, the barterer selects the desired formula after receiving help text describing the formulas. Regardless of the method used to select a particular formula, there are three preferred formulas:
  (x/y)/(a/b)  Value Ratio 1)
  (a/b)/(x/y)  Value Ratio 2)
  (b/a)−(y/x)  Value Ratio 3)
  where:
• • a=value price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to trade away
  • b=current security trading price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to trade away
  • x=value price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to obtain
  • y=current security trading price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to obtain
• For example, usingHimmelstein Value Ratio 2, a barterer owning Coke stock or Coke Himmelstein Option is willing to barter it away at a value of $65 per share, and Coke is currently trading at $67 on the stock market. If the barterer desires to barter for IBM stock, or IBM Himmelstein Option at value of $110 per share and the stock is currently trading at $115 per share on the stock market, the Value Ratio formula is: ((65/67)/(110/115))=1.014, which means that if the barterer trading Coke stock/Coke Himmelstein Option for IBM stock/IBM Himmelstein Option chose to complete the transaction, they will gain 1.4 percent. In essence, in this formula anything less than 1 is a stock/Himmelstein Option barter transaction that loses value and anything greater than 1 is a transaction that gains value. This formula is important to understand the relationship between the value of the stock/Himmelstein Option that is being traded away and the stock/Himmelstein Option that is being obtained. In lieu of displaying the Value Ratio, thesystem100 may display the actual percentage of increase or decrease after interpreting the Value Ratio. Variations of the above formulas may also be used. Any Himmelstein Value Ratio formula may be modified by adding or subtracting a predetermined value or variable. For example, Formula (a/b)/(x/y) may be changed to have the value “−1” subtracted to it making the new Formula (a/b)/(x/y)−1. If Himmelstein value formula (a/b)/(x/y)−1 is greater than 0.00 then to what extent greater is the percentage of profit, which in the above COKE/IBM example is 1.4%. Any Himmelstein Value Ratio formula may be modified by multiplying or dividing a predetermined value or variable. For example, formula (a/b)/(x/y) may be changed to have the variable “y/x” multiplied to it making the new formula (a/b)*(y/x) or (y/x)*(a/b). If Himmelstein value formula (a/b*y/x) is greater than 1.00 then to what extent greater is the percentage of profit, which in the above COKE/IBM example is 1.4%. Any Himmelstein Value Ratio formula may be modified by having both a predetermined value or variable added or subtracted while at the same time multiplying or dividing by another predetermined value or variable. For example, formula (b/a)−(y/x) may be changed to have the value of “1” added to it and have the variable “−1” multiplied to it making the new Formula ((−b/a)+(y/x))−1 or ((y/x)−(b/a))−1. If Himmelstein value formula ((y/x)−(b/a))−1 is greater than −1.00 then to what extent greater is the percentage of profit, which in the above COKE/IBM example is 1.4%.
• For securities such as CD's, bonds, annuities and government bonds that provide an interest rate/current yield until a due/maturity date, the system may calculate the actual income from that present day forward to be earned, factoring in the type of interest and adding same to all applicable variables (i.e. b or y) in the above stated formulas. For the securities stated above, the barter order module may require the settlement date to be the same date as the due/maturity date. In other words, the variables in the above formulas would be defined as:
• • a=value price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to trade away.
  • b=current security trading price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to trade away, plus future interest income from that present day forward to be earned, but not paid, before the earliest settlement date of the securities being bartered.
  • x=value price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to obtain.
  • y=current security trading price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to obtain, plus future interest income from that present day forward to be earned, but not paid, before the earliest settlement date of the securities being bartered.
• For barter items or securities such as CD's that do not have a current trading market, thesystem100 can also calculate the accrued, not paid, interest from issuance up to the present day. In other words, the variables b and y in the above formulas in such instances are modified as follows:
• • b=system calculated security trading price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to trade away includes the following:
    • original purchase price or face value of barter item or security plus,
    • accrued unpaid interest income from issuance up to the present day plus,
    • future interest income from that present day forward to be earned, but not paid, before the earliest settlement date of the securities being bartered.
  • y=system calculated security trading price for security/Himmelstein Option desired to obtain includes the following:
    • original purchase price or face value of barter item or security plus,
    • accrued unpaid interest income, from issuance up to the present day plus,
    • future interest income from that present day forward to be earned, but not paid, before the earliest settlement date of the securities being bartered.
• Optionally, for securities such as CD's that do not have a current trading value, thesystem100 may have the applicable variables (i.e. b or y) include the original purchase price or face value plus accrued interest income, excluding future interest income so that the system provides a “current day” value. The barterer may select the desired formula, including the definitions of b and/or y for each security in a barter transaction after receiving help text describing how each variable may optionally be defined in the formulas.
• If the securities being bartered have different due/maturity dates, thesystem100 may use the present day to the earliest settlement date as the period of time for calculating the income to be earned, calculating each securities' actual interest rate/current yield, factoring the type of interest, and adding same to the respective variables (i.e. b or y). To ascertain a more accurate Value Ratio, when one security has interest income, such as CD's, and another security does not, such as stock, the system may include or exclude interest income from the Value Ratio formulas depending on the formula chosen by barterer/system. Thesystem100 may disclose and or incorporate the actual formula(s) used to ascertain the Value Ratio into a finalized transaction agreement.
• Where no conventional market value is available, thesystem100 may be configured to examine posted barter orders or develop methods or new formulas to determine a current trading price.
• Referring toFIG. 4D atstep446, the barterer can review the barter order prior to submission of the order to the barter matching engine. As illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG. 5F the barter order module lists atsection546 the terms and conditions before the barterer submits the order by clicking anappropriate icon548. Alternatively, the barterer may decide to terminate the barter order creation by clicking a “QUIT”icon549.
• Once the order is submitted by the barterer atstep448 ofFIG. 4D, the matching engine searches the website database for a barter order or in an embodiment where the engine matches multi-order barters, multiple barter orders to satisfy the submitted order. If no match is found atstep450, the barter matching engine determines whether the order should be posted to thedatabase452 based on the timing selected atstep424 ofFIG. 4B. If the order should be posted, the barterorder database module116 posts the order to the database.
• After the barterer clicks on the “continue/agree”icon548, (and depending on the timing chosen), thesystem100 in accordance withFIG. 4D posts the barter as anavailable transaction452,456 and/or finds and displays “matching” postedbarter orders450,454 via the screen display illustrated inFIG. 6. The “matching” in the preferred embodiment includes matching the barterer's desired item and barter items with the barter and desired items of single or multiple combinations of posted barter orders where any matched Himmelstein options have overlapping settlement dates.
• Where posted barter orders are displayed, preferably the barter orders are listed by the lowest share price of the stock or Himmelstein option that the barterer wishes to acquire such as indisplay section610 ofFIG. 6. If any one of the available barter orders requires the price to fluctuate with the stock market, the display is preferably continually updated so that the prices reflect market value as close to real time as possible. The screen also displays the order number, symbol, share price, ratio to stock trading price, Value Ratio, number of shares, barter amount, barter price fluctuate with stock trading price, special conditions, timing, and dividend reinvestment criteria.
• If the individual decides that they are willing to barter away some or all of their selected portfolio stock/Himmelstein option for one or more barter orders listed, they select to do so458, ofFIG. 4D (or as long as they have more barter amount available) by simply clicking on each order, (i.e. choosing first preference then second preference, and so on). Each time an order is chosen, thesystem100 permits/requires the individual to revise their original quantity, and value price in the stock/Himmelstein option for which they desire to trade away in the barter, thereby requiring the individual to accept the prices and the amount of stock/Himmelstein option received in return from the barter order that they had selected. When a posted order is chosen, thesystem100 enters the corresponding information in a table on the screen to notify the individual of the transaction number, number of “shares trading away” with item price, number of “shares receiving” with item price and barter amount with totals at bottom of the table as reflected in screen table620 ofFIG. 6. For cash and web barter dollars, the fields which are not applicable remain blank. Optimally, the system may display in620, the after date and before date for Himmelstein Options being acquired or bartered.
• Each time a transaction is chosen, thesystem100 reduces the value for “amount of barter left” in adisplay box622. If an individual has less than an available barter transaction, (with no special conditions nor timing limitations) when the individual selects the order number, thesystem100 shows the number of shares for which the barter is permitted. Upon selecting each order, thesystem100 shows the residual amount in adisplay box624 and presents three choices460: 1) hold stock/Himmelstein option in escrow; 2) donate the stock/Himmelstein option; and 3) purchase other stock/Himmelstein option. If any of these choices are chosen, thesystem100 displays additional screens to complete the above tasks. Optionally, thesystem100 may allow the barterer to convert the residual amount into web dollars which are added to the barterer's portfolio after the transaction is completed.
• Additionally, when a barter order is chosen, thesystem100 “locks” the barter order, including the price, to the individual for a predetermined duration. A display of the time remaining to complete the transaction appears in a “time remaining”display box626. Should the time expire, thesystem100 provides two options: 1) finalize transaction; 2) or lose transaction in “X” seconds, with seconds decrementing on screen. Thesystem100 may, if desired, inform the individual that someone else is looking at the same barter order and may inform other users that there are pending barter orders which may come available.
• Upon the individual reviewing available barter orders and deciding what they want to do, (i.e. accept one or more orders or none), they proceed by choosing one of the following four icons631-634: 1) clear; 2) change barter order; 3) finalize transaction; and 4) finalize transaction but display more barter options. Each option leads to the display of additional screens to complete the selected task as indicated inFIG. 4E.
• In addition to the main bartering screens, thesystem100 may include pop-up screens to show “history” of past barter transactions and to show performance on how a security is performing, and the current Value Ratio formula provided from past transaction(s). If an individual bartered away Himmelstein Option(s) that have not gone to settlement, the system provides a screen selection showing the security or securities, the range of settlement dates allowed and preferably includes all of the criteria or information in the actual barter transaction.
• Thesystem100 exhibits other special conditions such as if the value of a security falls, thesystem100 may require barterers to barter some or all of a security back; an election to require that the Value Ratio must stay within a specified range for a specified time or trigger an action by thesystem100 such as a penalty, or forcing the individuals switch some or all security back, etc.; and the entry of multiple securities or symbols, and corresponding value prices, and permit thesystem100 to automatically take the best Value Ratio as long as Value Ratio is over a specific number (i.e. such as 1.00) set by the barterer and thesystem100 automatically completes the transaction if posted barter orders exist meeting that criteria.
• Thesystem100 may be programmed to automatically purchase security within a predetermined value range when a barter order is posted or market values change, complete a barter transaction for the barter order and sell the acquired security while charging an appropriate fee. Thesystem100 may act as a negotiator between barterers, sending each an e-mail or otherwise notifying them when the search engine discovers potential matches among barter orders. Thesystem100 may permit access by individual barterers to the identity of barterers who have posted “matching” barter orders to allow them to negotiate directly between themselves through e-mail or otherwise. Thesystem100 may require e-mail sent through it to purge “identity” (i.e. ensure anonymity). Thesystem100 may create an e-mail subsystem allowing individuals interesting in bartering to enter limited pertinent information into the blanks of the agreement being presented to one another only identifying the individuals by the order number that was created by thesystem100 when it originally posted the barter order. This is referred to as an “offer to purchase.” Thesystem100 may lock the individual's security being offered for a specified time allowing the individual receiving the offer time to accept, modify, or reject the offer. In other words, the individual making the offer cannot back out unless the person receiving it fails to respond within the time frame, modifies it or rejects it.
• Thesystem100 can also be configured for telephone access so that all functions that one may do online may be done over the telephone. Additionally, pre-approved individuals can be permitted to barter for securities (which the website holds in escrow) prior to bartering their own securities.
• In the generalized version of the barter system, various types of barters may be implemented as schematically illustrated inFIGS. 7A through 7E.
• Referring toFIG. 7A, a two party exchange or direct barter is illustrated. For example, Individual “A” barters directly with Individual “B” effecting an exchange of securities, X and Y respectively. Example, Individual “A” issues or posts a Himmelstein Option tobarter 100 shares of AOL worth $1,000 (Stock “X”) for 200 shares of IBM worth $1,000 (Stock “Y”) after Jan. 1, 2000 and before Feb. 1, 2005. Individual “B” accepts the Himmelstein Option effectuating an agreement to immediatelybarter 200 shares of IBM for the rights to acquire 100 shares of AOL in the future. A receives the 200 shares of IBM from B and irrevocably commits A's 100 shares of AOL to be transferred to B or B's designee at any time settlement is demanded between Jan. 1, 2000 and Feb. 1, 2005.
• In the event the barter transaction is not an exact match in value, thesystem100 may balance the barter transaction by allowing one barterer or the other to pay cash, provide web barter dollars, offer a different security, such as a Himmelstein Option on a different security, or allow the barterer to acquire more of the particular security that they are bartering.
• Referring toFIG. 7B, a two party exchange with an intermediary is illustrated. For example, Individual “A” barters with Individual “B” to trade away security X and acquire security Y through an intermediary. If a match is located but the values are not equal, the intermediary may retain the excess security and supplement the barterer bartering away the greater value security with cash, provide web barter dollars, a different security, such as a Himmelstein Option on a different security, or acquire more of the desired security (by first acquiring such).
• The intermediary either obtains additional cash, a security, such as a Himmelstein Option, or more of the desired security, such as a Himmelstein Option from the other barterer and/or from a third party (upon which the intermediary reciprocates a security, such as a Himmelstein Option, cash, or web barter dollars). For example, using the same values above, Individual “A” issues or posts a Himmelstein Option tobarter 100 shares of AOL for 200 shares of IBM. Individual “B” has 100 shares of IBM that he would like to barter for the rights to acquire 50 shares of AOL in the future. The intermediary keeps the Himmelstein Option for 50 shares of AOL and acquires the additional 100 shares of IBM and completes the exchange with individual A.
• FIG. 7C illustrates a three party transaction with an intermediary. Individual “C” barters away security Y to receive security X. The intermediary, which may be the barter website, identifies Individuals “A” and “B” to complete the transaction. Individual A sells or barters security X for cash and Individual B buys or barters security Y for cash. The cash amounts may or may not be equal, but Individuals A, B and C may incur a service charge from the intermediary/website for the service provided. In lieu of cash, web dollar credits are preferred where the website acts as intermediary. In another embodiment, thesystem100 may allow the barterers to barter away their securities or financial interest at a different time than when they receive a security or financial interest. This is a “Deferred Exchange.”
• FIG. 7D illustrates a three party transaction without an intermediary. In this example, barterer “A” receives cash for security or financial interest X. Barterer “B” receives security or financial interest X in exchange for security or financial interest Y. Barterer “C” receives security or financial interest Y for the cash which is received by barterer A.
• FIG. 7E illustrates a two party exchange with an intermediary. Barterer “A” wants to exercise a Himmelstein Option (i.e. have settlement and take title) to own the security in the Himmelstein Option. In this illustration, thesystem100 may require in the Agreement that to exercise the Himmelstein Option, the barterer must do so through thesystem100. Barterer A trades the Himmelstein Option on financial interest X for the actual interest X to the intermediary. The intermediary acquires the interest X from source B in exchange for consideration Z. The intermediary then maintains Himmelstein Option for X in its own portfolio for future bartering. Z may be web dollars or some other security or interest acquired by the website in a similar manner. Alternatively, if the value of Z is more than the Himmelstein Option for X, thesystem100 allows Barter “A” to exercise the Himmelstein Option (i.e. have the settlement on security X).
• Where thesystem100 or a designated entity acts as an intermediary, a barterer can create a barter order that does not require a security at the same time it barters away its own security. For example, an individual may allow their security to be bartered for an interest of equal value which the barterer can identify at a later time. The understanding being that the barterer can defer the completion of the transaction by the website or a designated entity acting as intermediary. If another barterer accepted the barter order terms, the funds for the transaction are immediately placed in an escrow account. For example, if the current tax law permitted, thesystem100 would allow “X” number of days to choose a particular security and “X” number of additional days to actually acquire the new security. Therefore, the website or a designated entity may hold the securities in escrow as a third party. The website or a designated entity may, upon being directed by the barterer who has funds in escrow, acquire a specific security to complete the barter. In this embodiment, thesystem100 may continually update the barterer with respect to the security such as stocks (re: stocks that the individual informed the system that they were interested in) with respect to the current “closest” matches for a specific stock or range of stocks that exist in the database system, based on the Value Ratio formula(s) that were previously defined herein. This can be done by either e-mail, phone, or when the barterer accesses the website. While online, thesystem100 may continually update the closest matches, thereby permitting an individual to either ignore, choose one, or choose multiple ones. If the individual chooses a match or several matches, with excess remaining funds, these excess funds are held in escrow.
• Thesystem100 may be configured to only barter Himmelstein Options or the future rights. Reiterating, a Himmelstein Option is an agreement given by the individual that owns the barter item or security, an irrevocable right to another party that after a specific date and before a specified date, this party has the right to “go to settlement” and acquire the barter item or security. Further, the Himmelstein Option allows the party in possession or any party currently in possession to barter said Himmelstein Option, i.e. transfer said rights for settlement. Barter order parameters then include an “after date” upon which a Himmelstein Option may be exercised and an “expiration date” that the Himmelstein Option expires. The expiration date may be an indefinite date. For example, barterers may do this to diversify their portfolios where they do not have the right to sell a security immediately, (such as via a preexisting agreement with an employer company). If the security is unregistered, the system can, after the holding period, directly process the stock with a designated transfer agent in order for it to be allowed to be transferred, i.e. go to settlement. In this instance, only Himmelstein Options are able to be immediately bartered since the barterer cannot transfer the security until after a specific date.
• The Himmelstein Option value and security value may be different, and usually would be different if the Himmelstein Option expiration date is a specified date and not open or “indefinite”. Both dates and values are preferably displayed for matching barter orders in a manner similar to the display ofFIG. 6.
• Acting as an intermediary, thesystem100 can hold a barter item or security in a trust account if, or until, someone exercises a Himmelstein Option to acquire it. A barterer posting a Himmelstein Option barter order chooses the after and expiration date which date(s) must be within the terms of their Himmelstein Option if they are not the actual owner of the security. Thesystem100 may prompt the expiration date as “indefinite”, with the barterer who is creating the Himmelstein Option away having the ability to modify the Himmelstein Option barter order with a specific date. The value of the “Himmelstein Option” is worth less if there is an expiration date, at which time the Himmelstein Option no longer exists. If the barter item or security subject to the Himmelstein Option is held in trust by thesystem100, the system returns the item or security upon expiration date to the barterer who had offered the Himmelstein Option or the party who settled the Himmelstein Option and obtained “title.” The purpose of thesystem100 holding the security “in escrow”, or in trust, is to ensure that a barterer acquiring a Himmelstein Option has a complete assurance that their right of ownership is “guaranteed” should they exercise it at a future date. Thesystem100 has the ability, (if it were a security such as stock or a mutual fund), to include or exclude the dividends, long term gains and losses and short term gains and losses. If the dividends, long term gains and losses, and short term gains and losses were included, at the end of each tax year, the 1099-DIV and gains and losses issued may be transferred to thesystem100 as the “nominee” which may in turn, make the “nominee” the individual who had obtained the Himmelstein Option or the rights of ownership to the security.
• Himmelstein Options having an “after date” and an “expiration date” when settlement can occur has a number of benefits for individual barterers. A barterer bartering away securities can ensure that a sale occurs after the barterer has owned the security more than one year so that any income is taxed at capital gains rate instead of ordinary income rate. If a barter works for a company that requires them not to sell the security for a specific time period, but the barterer wants to diversify their portfolio, thesystem100 allows them to do so.
• Thesystem100 has other advantages. For example, incorporating the security stock into a Himmelstein Option that is bartered removes uncertainty (i.e. future risk). This is beneficial in many instances. For example, successful, educated investors desiring to decrease their stock portfolio can recognize this benefit and utilize the Himmelstein Option to reduce their stock portfolio in a controlled manner.
• Since thesystem100 allows securities, such as CD's to be incorporated into a Himmelstein Option, if one wanted to become liquid prior to maturity, one can barter away a Himmelstein Option on the CD in lieu of incurring a penalty for early redemption. The net value of the Himmelstein Option issued is logically set by the barterer to be less than the penalty.
• Thesystem100 is preferably configured to internally track all individual rights when acting as an intermediary or escrow. If a barterer wants to “cash out”, the system may permit them to barter their securities including a Himmelstein Option away for cash, or alternatively require them to exercise their Himmelstein Option and then sell their securities that they acquired.
• For tax purposes, thesystem100 can require a barterer to transfer with the security their estate exemption (or a portion thereof) up to the allowed estate exemption amount (which is currently $625,000) as a gift. In this case, the barterer is not entitled to this at death. When that individual receives a security in return, the individuals from whom the security came would also have given an estate exemption. Also, thesystem100 can be configured to utilize the gift tax exemption. In essence, allowing a barterer to gift up to the maximum non-taxable amount, which is currently $10,000, to each and every individual that they barter with at which time they receive the same amount back in the security such as cash as “a gift”. This requires all gift transactions to be less than or equal to $10,000.
• If Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to include securities as defined earlier, the present system can be configured to effectuate a tax deferred exchange should one or both bartering parties desire such. Further, thesystem100 can be adapted, modified or changed to utilize or capitalize on any existing or future tax laws.
• Per the S.E.C., barter transactions or transfer of rights are not registered. Thus, this system permits bartering in a discrete and/or anonymous manner, (i.e., not informing the public). However, thesystem100 is preferably configured to compile historical barter information regarding barter transactions of each barter. Additionally, thesystem100 may be modified to meet S.E.C. regulations, if required. Terms and Conditions in a Himmelstein Option can include contingencies for settlement. For example, a Himmelstein Option may be bartered with a contingency that for settlement it must meet SEC approval.
• The present system permits any type of securities or financial interests to be bartered, including but not limited to CD's, stocks, bonds, notes, evidences of indebtedness or interest, interests in a partnership, certificate of trust or beneficial interest, etc. Thesystem100 can interface with or be incorporated as part of online companies in such a fashion that it is transparent to the clients of the online trading company. When a client from an online trading company desires to purchase a particular security, the online trading company may choose to acquire, if available, from another individual who has entered a transaction to barter their security away. The online trading company can act as the intermediary and barter for the security, in essence making the online trading company thesystem100 barterer with the ability to acquire new stock and/or any security, and then sell it to their online client. By doing this, the online company can keep the entire spread between the “ask and bid” with no commissions, and undercuts traditional stock exchanges in price and speed by eliminating intermediaries such as floor brokers or specialists from the trading process.
• Thesystem100 can be configured to handle “exchange funds” often known as “swap funds” or (Private Placement Memorandum) P.P.M. wherein an individual puts in their financial interests or security (such as stock shares) into the fund for exchange units of the entire fund. This allows the individual to diversify their financial interests or securities such as stock holdings without having to pay capital-gains taxes. In such a case, thesystem100 maintains “system” funds and barterers exchange various financial interests for units of the “system” fund. Thesystem100 can also be configured to further open and close new funds when deemed necessary by the system or by preset parameters.
• Thesystem100 can allow barter orders to require only some security up front at the time of the Himmelstein Option Agreement being consummated. This portion of the security or commodity may or may not be refundable. The balance of the Agreement would only be paid if the Himmelstein Option is finalized, or ownership of the security is transferred.
• For example, a posted transaction can state that the Himmelstein Option must occur after Jan. 5, 2000 and before Jan. 6, 2000 and the barterer is bartering AOL stock for cash or web barter dollars for $5.00 per share paid immediately which is non-refundable and $95.00 per share at settlement. Individuals accepting this Himmelstein Option must pay the $5.00 per share which is non-refundable. On Jan. 6, 2000 if the AOL stock is less than $95.00 per share, the individual will choose not to exercise their rights in the Agreement, thereby allowing the Agreement to expire. This is to be defined as selling long, in the “virtual stock market”, (i.e., system100).
• In an alternative embodiment, thesystem100 may allow a barterer to issue a Himmelstein Option on a security that the barterer does not own, nor have a Himmelstein Option (i.e. rights to own). If, or when, the Himmelstein Option is chosen (for example, by person “A”) the barterer is required to acquire the security or the Himmelstein Option that was being traded away, on or before the date after the barter transaction may occur, to then hand it over to person “A”. This is to be defined as selling short or trading futures in the “virtual stock market” (i.e. system100).
• The virtual market (i.e. system100) can handle what is referred to in the financial industry as a margin account wherein thesystem100 allows the barterer to borrow web barter dollars, cash or issue Himmelstein Options against the value of their portfolio including Himmelstein Options in their possession.
• When someone issues a Himmelstein Option, the barter transaction can also allow the person issuing the Himmelstein Option to enter a different before and after date for the Himmelstein Option for the new security desired. Therefore, in this embodiment, thesystem100 may require the person posting the transaction for the Himmelstein Option for the security desired to give a specific date before, and a specific date after, or a range of dates that would be acceptable. This range of dates may be disclosed to potential barterers; or in the alternative, can be undisclosed (making a potential barterer be required to choose specific dates, before and after) without knowing the range of dates that the individual posting the Himmelstein Option used.
• With respect to the securities that provide dividends, interest etc., thesystem100 can further do the following. Thesystem100 may keep the dividends, interest etc. as part of the transaction, and may put in a common “pool” all dividends, interest etc. realized. A formula is used to proportion the amount between any, and all, clients holding Himmelstein Options for the specific class of items.
• Thesystem100 can require barterers to enter Himmelstein Options or barter orders in round lots. For example, if the security was stock, thesystem100 can require increments of 100 shares.
• Thesystem100 can have the ability to break down posted order(s) into specific dollar and or quantity amount(s) allotment and re-post. For example, if thesystem100 chose to break down into a specific dollar amount, thesystem100 can choose one thousand dollar amount(s) or block(s). If someone posted 10 shares of IBM stock at $110.00 for each share, thesystem100 can re-post to be 2 barter orders: one order to be 9 shares of IBM stock with 10 web barter dollars; and one order with 1 share of IBM stock as the residual amount. In another example, if thesystem100 chose to break down into a specific quantity amount in the security “stock”, thesystem100 may decide to break down posted orders to allotments of 100 shares and post the remaining portion (if any) that isn't dividable by 100. For example, if the posted order was 1220 shares, thesystem100 can re-post to be 13 barter orders: (12) barter orders with 100 shares and (1) barter order with 20 shares. Further, if thesystem100 wanted all residual amount(s) to be a specific figure, thesystem100 can require the balance of the security plus web barter dollars to always be a specific value. The purpose is to simplify the barter values to be essentially equal to a common value or multiple common values in thesystem100 to facilitate more barter transactions.
• As a “virtual stock market”, the system may allow all securities to be in decimal format or dividable by 100, 1000 etc. This means that even a Himmelstein Option (no matter the security stated in the Himmelstein Option) can be in decimal format or dividable by 100, 1000 etc. Therefore 1.00=1 total unit of the particular security. For instance if the security is stock, 1.00 would equal one share of stock for a particular company.
• Therefore, any fractional or decimal amount created from a barter transaction can be worth for example, as little as 0.001 of a web barter dollar or 0.001 of a U.S. dollar. Specifically, if Individual “A” posted a barter order to barter away 100 shares of AOL stock at $85.00 per share while desiring IBM shares at $180 per share, the system may, (if an available match existed or if it was a direct barter with the website) complete the barter order and provide 47.22 IBM shares at $180.00 per share. In this case, decimal amount of 0.22 is worth $39.60, if $180 is the current stock trading price per share. Alternatively, the system/barterer may allow, depending on the parameters set, barter 99.53 shares of AOL stock for 47 shares of IBM stock.
• The system can state in all barter agreements (i.e. terms and conditions) that all parties using the system may accumulate “fractional” or “decimal” amounts (i.e. all values less than (1.00) total unit of a particular security) from different parties and upon the sum equaling 1.00, allow the sum to become 1 unit of a security, such as 1 share of stock. It should be noted that for Himmelstein Options, the system would be required to ensure the latest before dates and latest after dates overlap, and the system would restate the before date and after date to be the latest before date and earliest after date of all the fractional or decimal amounts.
• Preferably, the system maintains a history knowing which fractional or decimal amount came from which security, such as stock, and can, when beneficial to the system and/or the barterer, reseparate a unit of a particular security and rematch it back together with a portion of the original security that had been part of the actually split. If for a Himmelstein Option, this may change the range of settlement dates.
• Optimally, the system may allow barterers to barter fractional or decimal amounts to other barterers and/or only with the system.
• Thesystem100 may set the standard for minimum transaction and maximum transaction based upon various concerns, including but not limited to, profitability and or irregularities, illegal trade practices and illegal trade patterns.
• The methodology of the “standard” Himmelstein Option is to allow two or more parties to agree at a future date to barter, exchange or sell items or securities based on current agreed values, regardless of the trading values of the securities at the time of settlement. In an alternative embodiment, two or more parties may agree to exchange or barter at a future date based on values on that future date. In this embodiment, the settlement date or dates for each security may yet be a different date.
• The system may unilaterally determine, or give each individual barterer, the ability to select a closing price for securities as trading days get longer with extended after-hours trading. For example, if a security was stock, the system may permit an individual to choose the traditional 4:00 P.M. eastern/standard time closing price of the NYSE and the NASDAQ market. On the other hand, the system or individual may choose the value based on after-hours trading. For example with the security, stock, or Himmelstein Option for stock, the system uses the closing price as the current stock trading price as noted on538,FIGS. 5D and 506,FIG. 5A.
• Thesystem100 can operate 24 hours a day or during standard market hours and/or during predefined after hours trading or a combination thereof. Thesystem100 can further allow specific securities to be traded/bartered during specific time frames or allow a barterer to choose the hours during which the barterer wants their barter order posted (i.e. available for barter). Furthermore, the barterer or the system may allow the after hours trading market to operate totally independent from the standard market hours session. It may be a selectable parameter by either the barterer or system to determine whether a barter order posted during standard hours will participate in the after trading sessions and vice versa. Also, the barterer or system can determine if un-executed barter posted orders placed in either the standard or after hours session carries over to the other session or gets canceled.
• The system can ensure that barterers remain anonymous from one another and may utilize trustees, assignors or intermediaries to accomplish such.
• The system can also allow any barter order to be canceled under specific terms. Further, if the order was not “locked” by a barterer or already processed, the system can permit an individual who created the barter order to cancel or modify same.
• The system can also utilize the latest security features and encryption methods available.
• The system may permit an individual to post a barter order with a range of quantities acceptable to the individual. For example, if the individual posted IBM stock with a range of 5-10 shares, this means that the system can accept a barter order for any quantity between 5-10 shares. This increases the likelihood of the barter transaction occurring. As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the fee structure charged by the system may be modified to handle this embodiment.
• Thesystem100 can also conduct or perform auctions wherein thesystem100 can further require: 1) a bidder to bid with a specific security; 2) a bidder to bid with a specific list of securities pre-approved; 3) require various conditions on a bidder such as requiring security to be held by the system/designated agent; 4) pre-approve an individual to bid and 5) Minimum bid requirements may exist. Thesystem100 may use the embodiment that allows “offers” and allows communications between potential barterers using the system's e-mail subsystem.
• An agreement for a Himmelstein Option can state various additional conditions such as requiring that the barterer in possession of or in ownership of a Himmelstein Option must first offer or sell same to thesystem100 and/or owner of the security prior to going to settlement. The system may allow a barterer creating Himmelstein Options the ability to draft specific conditions to essentially create a custom contract to meet the barterer's needs.
• If thesystem100 utilizes an intermediary or designated agent, thesystem100 has the ability to fully communicate in such fashion to ensure that all securities are transferred back and forth in a proper controlled and secure fashion.
• The system can authorize and permit an individual to access the ebarterrealestate.com system and utilize an intermediary, or directly barter for real estate.
• Referring now toFIG. 8, the posted barterorder database module116 stores postedbarter orders806, providesaccess routines802 and performs maintenance of thedatabase804. Among theaccess routines802 are add order record, delete order record and get order record.
• The add order routine generates a database record that comprises the barter order in addition to a unique transaction number, the time and date stamp of the order and the account number. There are numerous delete routines to remove posted barter orders based on different criteria. Some of the criteria are account number, transaction number, time and date, and barter item. Similarly, the get routine can return records based on the same criteria.
• Themaintenance program804 executes periodically, or optionally at the request of and access routine802, to remove and modify posted barter orders. For example, orders may be modified if a stock split occurs and the barter order designates this stock or a Himmelstein Option for the stock. Orders can be removed for a number of reasons such as the barter order expires, the barter account closes or the barter item is no longer available. For example, a barter order can be removed if stock trading is halted and the barter order designates this stock.
• Barter orders are modified by themaintenance program804 under a number of circumstances. A stock symbol designated in an order may have changed or the account number of the barter order is changed. Optionally,maintenance program804 generates indexes and tables to facilitate quick access to the database records.
• Referring toFIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising a realestate barter system1100 is illustrated which utilizes a computer-based website that may effectuate a tax-free exchange or tax deferred exchange for swapping barter items including any type of real estate. Real estate as defined herein includes ownership in real estate and leases of real estate. Barter items are defined as including, but not limited to, real estate, leases of real estate, stock, cash (foreign or domestic currencies), web barter dollars, Himmelstein Options, CD's, bonds, notes, Option Put, Option Call, Commodities/Futures, Annuities, Muni Bond(s), Government Bonds, Funds, Strips (Zero Coupon Treasuries), Ginnie Mae(s), Fannie Mae(s), Freddie Mac(s), UIT (Unit Investment Trust), T-bills and any future created or defined security, commodity or commodity money. Bartering different categories of items is supported by thesystem1100. For example, real estate can be bartered for other real estate or securities, such as stocks or bonds. Thesystem1100 provides for its own “web-barter dollars” which may be accumulated or traded by barterers using thesystem1100 and are particularly useful in facilitating barters where items of unequal value are traded.
• Thesystem1100 includes abarter website1106 which is accessed via a real estate company website1102 or directly via the Internet using a computer such as apersonal computer1114 or a wireless hand-held computer with Internet connectivity1110. Optionally, thesystem1100 may be incorporated as part of an existing real estate company's website.
• In the case of access via a real estate company website1102, the barterer uses a computer such as apersonal computer1108, aportable computer1117 or a wireless hand-held computer with Internet capability1112 to select a “Barter” icon1103 that incorporates alink1104 to thebarter website1106. Once the icon1103 is selected, the barterer's account information is transferred via alink1104 to thebarter website1106. In this manner, thebarter website1106 is provided with all of the relevant particulars of each item owned by the individual barterer. For example, in the case of real estate, thewebsite1106 preferably includes the address, tax information, official appraised value, assessed value and information regarding the property's physical features and amenities. In the case of stocks, thebarter website1106 preferably includes data indicating issuing company, number of shares, market value and whether dividends are reinvested. Using thelink1104, thebarter website1106 is transparent to a barterer accessing it via the real estate company website1102.
• Thesystem1100 can be further interfaced with traditional real estate brokers and stock brokers so traditional brokers and clients without the resources to go directly “online” can barter in the same manner.
• While thebarter system1100 supports bartering of a large array of items as disclosed hereinbefore, an online real estate company hosting the “Barter” icon1103 can limit barters to certain categories of items. For example, a real estate company website1102 that provides online real estate trading may chose to limit thebarter website1106 to transactions involving only real estate or leases for real estate. Preferably, the use of stock, web-barter dollars and/or cash is also permitted by the real estate company website1102 which enables a wider range of barter orders to be matched and barter, transactions to be completed.
• Regardless of the items bartered, thebarter website1106 comprises three main components: 1) abarter ordering module1105; 2) a posted barterorder database module1116; and 3) a barter matching engine1118. Optionally, thesystem1100 may include a separate database (not shown) of each individual's barter items portfolio including all real estate holdings. In general, thebarter ordering module1105 permits a trader, herein referred to as the barterer, to create a barter order that includes the item to be traded, the item desired and additional parameters related to the barter order.
• The table set forth inFIG. 11AA andFIG. 11AB reflects typical parameters associated with various classes of barter items including real estate or securities to be identified in a barter order. In each barter order, the appropriate parameters are identified for both the item to be traded and the item to be acquired so that the barter order comprises two sets of item parameters. The two sets of parameters may be quite different where the two items which are the subject of the barter order are of a different class or type. Each portfolio item, regardless of type or classes, can be transformed into a Himmelstein Option agreement by defining a future date or range of dates for settlement using the last column in the tableFIG. 11AB.
• When an individual creates a barter order for real estate or any type security, thesystem1100 produces an Agreement of Barter, Exchange, Sale or Lease which sets forth the detailed terms and conditions. Barterers, in essence, fill in the blanks of the Agreement of Barter, Exchange or Sale. For real estate, these Agreements will be similar in form and scope to current real estate Agreements. Thesystem1100 may also require electronic signatures to accompany the Agreement or may create a parallel Agreement for each barterer for simplicity and anonymity purposes. The Agreement also includes thesystem1100 as a party, providing various conditions or rights that thesystem1100, intermediary or designated agent(s) has with the barterer.
• At settlement, title to the real estate, security or financial interest is transferred. For real estate, for example, settlement may require the actual transference of the deed to the real property. Preferably, a new type of “electronic deed”, similar to a stock transaction, is used so that a paper deed is not required and a book entry of the real estate transfer may be made to transfer title.
• When the barterer creates a barter order, thesystem1100 creates an order number referencing the barter order. Thesystem1100 may randomly create or code barter order numbers so only thesystem1100 is aware of the age of a barter order and the identity of the barterer. The posted barterorder database module1116 accumulates posted barter orders and includes the software to add, delete and maintain the data in the database. Thebarter matching engine118 selectively matches a barterer's barter order with posted barter orders in thedatabase1116. Posted barter orders “matching” a barterer's order are displayed such that the barterer can select a candidate or multiple candidates from the displayed listing of matching posted orders.
• The matching process functionally operates as a filter to display posted orders matching a selected criteria. Preferably, the filter is defined by the barterer and sets forth the parameters which are required, (such as the price and type of property), and the parameters which are optional. An example of an optional parameter for a real estate barter may be the number of bedrooms. The barterer may set the number of bedrooms to six (6), but the barterer would accept a barter with as little as four (4) bedrooms. A detailed parameter listing for residential real estate is shown inFIG. 11C. As shown, the parameters for real estate may be very detailed regarding the physical features of the dwelling and the grounds. The barter may specify which of the parameters are required and may set a range for the parameters such as number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms or total square footage of the dwelling or the lot. The barter may also specify “other” comments regarding each feature, such as the furnace being preferably a Lennox furnace.
• Thesystem1100 then attempts to match the barterer's selected item to be acquired with posted orders having the same item to be bartered. The price of the selected item may also be used for filtering to require a direct quantity match or a match within a quantity range. The barterer's selected item to be bartered is also a preferred criteria for the matching filter, so that postings are displayed of barter orders which seek to acquire the item selected to be bartered by the barterer. A preferred filter includes both the barterer's selected item to be bartered and selected item to be acquired. Thus, where a barterer's desired item is real estate, (a single family dwelling in a particular geographical area), posted barter orders seeking to barter away real estate comprising single family dwellings in said geographical area are displayed as matches. Other matches may require lake front, river front, waterfront, lagoon front, bay front, beach front, etc. These parameters may be listed in the parameter list under “other”.
• The barter matching engine1118 attempts to match one “closest” posted barter order or multiple posted orders with the barterer's order. The barter engine1118 can also be configured to use the barter website (or an entity chosen by the website) as an intermediary as explained in greater detail below.
• FIG. 12A illustrates abarter item database1202 having a plurality of sample posted barter orders1204-1222 stored inmodule1116 andFIG. 12B illustrates asample barter order1226. In this example, thebarter order1226 includes the real estate to be bartered indicated by the type of property1228, thelocation1230 of the property to be bartered, (preferably including more detail such as county, city and address), theasking price1232 at which the barterer is willing to barter and several of the parameters1233,1235. The information regarding the property to be acquired preferably includes the type ofproperty1234, thelocation1236, thevalue1238 the barterer is willing to barter for the desired property and several of the parameters1240,1242. Equity in/out1244 is provided for theentire barter order1226. It should also be noted that the barter order format may change depending upon the type of item to be bartered. For example, fields1229 and1231 were filled in by the barter as “R” to indicate real estate. If “S” for stock were input by the barterer, these fields1229,1231 would change according to the particulars of stocks. The same coding can be used for each type of barter item shown in FIGS.11AA and11AB.
• Although the barter order example shown inFIG. 12B includes a fixed value, this value need not be fixed. For example, if the barterer desires to barter a single family dwelling in New Jersey for a certain number of shares of IBM stock, the price of the IBM stock may fluctuate before settlement. Accordingly, the barterer depending on how the barter was entered, may agree to accept a lower value if the IBM stock decreases in value or may require a larger number of shares in order to equalize the value to theasking price1232. Of course, the other barterer must preagree to this equalization at the time the barter contract is consumated. Optionally, thesystem1100 may change a fee to collar a particular security to ensure that said security holdings maintain a specific value.Barterer order1226 indicates that the barterer has real estate1229, a single family dwelling1228 located inNew Jersey1230, having anasking price1232 of $298,000 which the barterer is willing to trade at avalue1238 of $323,000 for other real estate1231, comprising asingle family dwelling1234 located inNew Jersey1236. The barterer has also agreed to pay $25,000 cash or an equivalent amount of stock to close the transaction. If the matching criteria is set to match only the barterer's desired item within a specified range which, for example, may be 10% in this case, orders1210 and1222 are displayed. If the matching criteria is set to match only the barterer's barter item selection,orders1206 and1208 are displayed. If the matching criteria is set to match either the barterer's barter or acquire item selection,orders1206,1208,1210 and1222 are displayed.
• FIG. 13 illustrates amulti-order barter selection1300 having first1302, second1308, third1314 and fourth1320 barter orders according to the present invention. Multi-order barter selection may be used either in order to find all potential available barters among the posted barter orders. In this example, the barter engine1118 cannot fulfill the first barter order1302 with a single one of theother barter orders1308,1314 or1320. The first barter order1302 barters a single family dwelling inNew Jersey1304 for a multiple family dwelling inNew Jersey1306. For ease of explanation, the following abbreviations are used throughout this specification: SFD—single family dwelling; MFD—multiple family dwelling; COM—commercial property; LAND—undeveloped property. Of course, the two-letter state abbreviations are also used.
• None of the other posted database orders barter MFDNJ for SFDNJ, but barter order1302 can be fulfilled if intermediate barters are matched. The barter matching engine1118 matches intermediate barters using several methods. In one embodiment, barter matching engine1118 searches for a posted barter order having a desired real property that matches the barterer's real property to be traded. Since posted barter order1320 lists SFDNJ as the desiredreal property1324 and the first barter order1302 real property to be bartered isSFDNJ1304, the barter matching engine1118 match for the first half of the first barter1302 has been satisfied. However, the barter matching engine must find a match for the desiredreal property1306 for the first barter order1302 and must also find a match for thefirst half1322 of the third barter order1320. Accordingly, the barter matching engine must find a transaction that satisfies the desiredCOMNJ1322 of the third barter order1320.
• The barter matching engine1118 searches for an order that trades COMNJ for MFDNJ in order to make a two posted order barter transaction. However, in the example, there is no posted order that trades these two real properties, so the barter matching engine1118 locatesbarter order1308 that trades SFDPA1310 for COMNJ1312. The barter matching engine1118 then searches for another posted barter order that trades MFDNJ for SFDPA to find a transaction candidate. Barter order1314 meets this criteria in thatMFDNJ1316 is traded forSFDPA1318. Accordingly, barterer order1302 can be satisfied through postedbarter orders1320,1308 and1314. In a preferred embodiment so as to make the multi-order transactions transparent to the barterer, barter matching engine1118 displays multi-order barters as a single “phantom” posted barter order. The matching engine1118 creates a transaction and displays this phantom barter order in the list of matching barter candidates. The barterer simply selects the phantom barter order to finalize the multi-order barter transaction. In these examples, it is assumed that the values and other parameters set by the barterers permit all barter orders to occur.
• In another method for locating multi-order barters, barter matching engine1118 begins by searching for the barterer's desiredreal property1306 first. Barter engine locates barter order1314 that tradesMFDNJ1316 forSFDPA1318. Continuing in this manner, the engine locates the same posted barter orders as above, but in the reverse order. In general, the engine1118 attempts to link multiple barter orders. One of ordinary skill in the art of software programming appreciates that a recursive algorithm is well suited for generation of such a linked list. If a transaction can be automatically processed, thesystem1100 can try to match the most number of barterers involved or the greatest amount of money involved without adversely effecting other transactions.
• The operation ofbarter ordering module1105 allows the barterer to enter the barter order. In one embodiment of the present invention, the barterer selects minimum barter order parameters such as the type of real property (i.e., SFD, MFD, COM, LAND), price desired, price paid, number of total rooms, number of bedrooms, etc. Of course, one should realize that with real property, particularly dwellings, there are a vast number of parameters that can be utilized to specify real property as shown inFIG. 11C. If the barter item is a security, the specific stock, quantity and value price of the security to be bartered in addition to the desired security and value price for the security desired. Once these minimum parameters are selected, other parameters are set to default settings determined bybarter ordering module1105.
• Barter orders may be created for real estate barters as the “trade for” side, the “trade away” side and both as illustrated in flowchartsFIGS. 14A-14E and the screen displays ofFIGS. 15A-15F, where the barterer is prompted through each step of the barter order creation process. For bartering other securities or financial interests with real estate, the bartering steps and screen displays are modified to preferably accommodate all of the parameters for the classes of items identified in FIGS.11AA,11AB,11BA and11BB.
• The example shown in FIGS.14A-E and15A-F is directed to bartering of real estate and securities. In this example, thebarter website1106 is accessed via an online real estate company that permits bartering of real estate, stocks, cash, web barter dollars and combinations thereof. The flowchart ofFIG. 14A begins after the trader selects the “Barter” icon1103. Accordingly,barter ordering module1105 has received from the online real estate website a barterer's current real estate portfolio. If desired, the barterer may also forward information regarding the barterer's securities, such as stocks, bonds, etc. The real estate and the securities will be referred to hereinafter as “barter items”. If the barter item is a security, the quantity and other specifics of these securities are also provided vialink1104. If the barter item is real estate, various detailed particulars are also provided including, but not limited to, location of property, map to property, assessed value of property, equalization ratio and appraisals, etc. or the parameters set forth inFIG. 11C. Atstep1402 ofFIG. 14A, the website displays all of the barter items available for barter. Instep1404, the barterer selects from the displayed items instep1402.
• In the embodiment ofFIG. 15A, asymbol1502 representing a selection of the barterer's portfolio of real estate, stocks, web barter dollars and cash is displayed. The barterer selects thedownward triangle1501, to display all available barter items as shown in1503.
• The system preferably further indicates if the barterer's security or real estate is currently included in a posted barter order, thereby requiring the barterer to cancel said posted barter order prior to selecting the security or real estate for a new barter order. Optionally, an alphabetical list of geographical locations (for real estate) and company or stock symbols (for securities) is displayed for alphabetical searching. Theportfolio quantity1504 of the barter item is also displayed, if applicable. The barterer may enter the selecteditem1502 by typing it in. Preferably when the barterer begins typing the geographical location of the real estate, thebarter ordering module1105 locates the first listed item that matches the entered characters. Alternatively, the portfolio is displayed for selection via an array of pull-downmenus1507, each displaying one class of the items of the barterer's portfolio.
• Once the barterer locates and selects the item to be traded, the total quantity of the selected item in the barterer's portfolio is automatically displayed instep1406 ofFIG. 14A as the quantity to be bartered. Atstep1408, the barterer can modify the quantity to be bartered1410, (this is not applicable to real estate). As shown inFIG. 15A, thequantity1504 can be modified via selection of thedirectional arrows1505 or the barterer can enter a new quantity value. In either case, in this embodiment thebarter order module1105 does not allow a quantity value that exceeds the quantity owned by the barterer. Alternatively, thesystem1100 may be configured to permit the barterer to select a range of quantities to be bartered.
• Preferably, thebarter ordering module1105 has access to trading prices for stocks atstep1412 ofFIG. 14A, so that the trading price of the selected stock is displayed along with the time and date of the trading price as illustrated indisplay section1506 ofFIG. 15A. The system may provide a range of values for the real estate based on various data, including, but not limited to, the assessed value, the equalization ratio, (if applicable), appraised value, (if any is available), comparable properties that have sold, comparable properties listed for sale and any other data available. A fixed per share value of the stock1508 ofFIG. 15B is initially set to the trading price. If barterers are trading away cash or web barter dollars, thesystem1100 in that instance may rearrange the screens and prompt the security being bartered for prior to prompting the cash or web barter dollars being traded away. As one skilled in the art will realize, the fields which are not applicable to a particular barter item such as real estate, cash or web barter dollars are modified to properly reflect what is being bartered. Atstep1414 ofFIG. 14A, the barterer can elect to trade at the displayed trading price or select anew barter value1416. AsFIG. 15B illustrates, the barterer can change the default fixed per share value1508 or select the value of the stock to be bartered based on the fluctuating stock trading price by selecting block1510.
• Preferably, the barter value is based upon the asking price of the real estate. Optionally, thesystem1100 may determine a “market value” based upon new methods or procedures. The barterer can then select a range (i.e. plus or minus a certain value or percentage), instep1416 inFIG. 14A and atstep1511 inFIG. 15B or if the barter item is a security, the barter value can fluctuate based on the current trading price. The barterer selects this range as illustrated inFIG. 15B at1512,1518.
• The range can be avalue amount1514,1517 or a percentage of the fluctuatingtrading price1516,1519. By selectingboxes1512 or1518, the barterer selects whether the range is added to or subtracted from the fluctuating value. For example, if the range was set to plus 1 percent at step1416 (by selectingbox1512 and entering 1% in box1516) and the asking price for the real estate to be bartered at the time of the barter transaction was $800,000, a posted barter order with a value price between $800,000 and $808,000 would match the barterer's order. Likewise, a barterer may enter minus 9 percent of the asking price by checkingbox1518 and entering 9% atbox1519 so that a posted barter order with a value price between $728,000 and $800,000 would match the barterer's order.
• Once the value of the item to be bartered is selected instep1416 ofFIG. 14A, the barter ordering module displays atstep1418 ofFIG. 14B the total barter amount and the percentage or dollar amount of the value price in relation to the asking price inFIG. 15B, at1520. Should a range of value price be selected, thedisplay1520 is modified to reflect such. In the example ofFIG. 15B, the barterer can change thebarter value1520 by clicking on a “change”icon1522 and going through the appropriate steps or accept thevalue1520 by clicking on a “continue” icon1523. This is also shown atstep1420 ofFIG. 14B.
• Atstep1422 ofFIG. 14B, barter order fee amounts are displayed. Fee amounts, as illustrated in samplescreen display lines1524 and1526 ofFIG. 15C, are determined based on whether the barter order is to be posted to thebarter order database1524 or the barter should occur with the barter website directly1526.
• Atstep1424 ofFIG. 14B, the barterer selects the time in which the barter order is valid. Although there are many choices, as illustrated inFIG. 15C, the only timing option1528 that is available for a real estate barter is for the barterer to set a specific date for settlement.
• At step1426 ofFIG. 14B, the barterer may select special conditional parameters if applicable. The available special conditions are not applicable to a real estate barter. Atstep1531,FIG. 15C the barterer may enter a subsequent amount of the security or a different security to be provided at settlement. As hereinbefore described, the system can prompt barterer to include minimum criteria to clearly identify the security and the value. At step1428 ofFIG. 14B, if the desired security is stock, the barterer selects between three choices for the desired stock with respect to a dividend reinvestment option. Accordingly, the barterer chooses between: 1) the stock must have a dividend reinvestment program; 2) the stock must not have a dividend reinvestment program; or 3) accept new stock with or without a dividend reinvestment program. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 15D, the barterer selects the desired option by selecting the corresponding box in section1532.
• Atstep1429 ofFIG. 14B, the barterer chooses the type of barter they wish to transact, (i.e. a direct barter only or permit the website to act as the barterer or use an intermediary if a direct barter is not available). The barterer can request a direct barter with an order from the posted barter database at a first fee rate, or in the alternative for a second fee rate, the barterer can request the website to be the barterer. The first and second fee rates may be the same or change independent of each other. At times to promote automated website bartering, depending on the securities to be bartered, the second fee rate may be set at a relatively low rate, or it may be set to a premium rate for the automated service. According to the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 15D, the barterer selects the type of transaction insection1534.
• Following the selection of barter type,step1429, posted barter orders may optionally be displayed1430 based on matches of posted order “to be acquired” items with the barterer's “to be bartered item.” In the case of a direct barter, a trade can be displayed immediately if a match is found in the database, or the barterer can complete and post the order to the database and await a match from a subsequent barterer. In the case of a barter with the website, the transaction is displayed immediately provided the website can buy or obtain the real estate, stock, web barter dollars or cash desired by the barterer. Here, the website uses a predetermined formula, including taking into account the relationship with the barterer to calculate the fee for this type of transaction.
• The barterer selects the desired real estate, stock, web barter dollars or cash price to acquire for the barter order atstep1431 ofFIG. 14B. If the barterer's desired item is real estate, stock, web barter dollars or cash, the barterer checks the appropriate box indisplay1537 as illustrated inFIG. 15D. This changes the configuration of fields in1535,1536. Accordingly, if a stock is to be bartered and is selected infield1537, thefields1535,1536 will change to reflect such, wherebystock symbols1535 are displayed upon selection of a down arrow. The barterer can select from a list ofindustries1536 wherein thestock symbols1535 are filtered to list only those related to the selected industry.
• If the barter item is real estate as selected infield1537, the barterer can select from a list of cities, towns or municipalities to be shown infield1535 and states to be shown infield1536. This permits the barter to narrow the range of properties for which the barterer would like to trade.
• If the barterer chooses a stock by selecting it, thesystem1100 displays thesymbol1535 pertaining to the chosen company. Next, instep1432 ofFIG. 14C the barter ordering module informs the barterer of the available stock trading price of the desired stock, along with the current date and time. One method of displaying the price is illustrated inFIG. 15D atsection1538.
• The barter value of the desired item defaults to the available stock trading price (if a security) atsection1540 of the display ofFIG. 15E. The barterer can accept the displayed value atstep1434 or select a new value atstep1436 ofFIG. 14C. In the display ofFIG. 15E, the desired value for the barter item is selected. The barterer can select a fixedvalue using box1540, a value plus or minus a fixed amount similar to step1511, as shown inFIG. 15B or a fluctuating value range insection1541 in a manner as described in connection with1510-1519 ofFIG. 15B. Thereafter, as indicated in the flowchart ofFIG. 14C atstep1438, the total desired barter amount and percentage or dollar amount to the price is displayed as illustrated insample display1542 ofFIG. 15F. Atstep1440 ofFIG. 14C, the barterer can change the barter value of the desired item which steps can be implemented by clicking the “change” icon ofdisplay section1542 ofFIG. 15F.
• • Atstep1442 ofFIG. 14C, the present invention assists the barterer in determining whether the barter order is financially advantageous to the barterer. As hereinbefore described, the Himmelstein Value Ratios are provided to assist the barterer. Since the present embodiment includes bartering of real estate, the variables are redefined as follows: a=asking price for real estate or security desired to trade away
    • b=system's estimated real estate price (i.e. appraised value or asking price) or current security trading price desired to trade away
    • x=asking price for real estate or security desired to obtain
    • y=system's estimated real estate price (i.e. appraised value) or current security trading price for security desired to obtain
      In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 15F at section1544, the barter ordering module selects the specific formula and the Himmelstein Value Ratio is displayed. The barterer may then change the barter order per step1444 by selecting a change icon in section1544 of the displayFIG. 15F.
      What follows is an example related to the bartering of real estate:
  • a=$500,000=real estate
  • b=$475,000=appraisal of real estate
  • x=10,000 shares @ $50 per share of home depot stock
  • y=10,000 shares @ $52 per share of home depot
    If there is no appraisal—a and b are equal and system can notify barter as such. For example, usingValue Ratio 2, the result is 1.094. In other words, the barterer trading away the real estate will gain 9.4%. In an actual dollar amount, the gain is $45,000.
• Referring toFIG. 14D atstep1446, the barterer can review the barter order prior to submission of the order to the barter matching engine. As illustrated in the embodiment ofFIG. 15F the barter order module lists atsection1546 the terms and conditions before the barterer submits the order by clicking anappropriate icon1548. With respect to a real estate sale or lease, the system can submit an Agreement of Sale or Lease that is binding and meets current state laws for the particular transaction including all contingent agreements. The barterer may choose various options provided such as home, engineers, bulkhead or termite inspections. Alternatively, the barterer may decide to terminate the barter order creation by clicking a “QUIT” icon1549.
• Once the order is submitted by the barterer atstep1448 ofFIG. 14D, the matching engine searches the website database for a barter order or in an embodiment where the engine matches multi-order barters, multiple barter orders to satisfy the submitted order. If no match is found atstep1450, the barter matching engine determines whether the order should be posted to the database1452 based on the timing selected atstep1424 ofFIG. 14B. If the order should be posted, the barterorder database module1116 posts the order to thedatabase1116.
• After the barterer clicks on the “continue/agree”icon1548, (and depending on the timing chosen), thesystem1100 in accordance withFIG. 14D posts the barter as anavailable transaction1452,1456 and/or finds and displays “matching” postedbarter orders1450,1454 via the screen display illustrated inFIG. 16. The “matching” in the preferred embodiment includes matching the barterer's desired item and barter items with the barter and desired items of single or multiple combinations of posted barter orders. The matching barter item includes thetransaction number1560, theasking price1562, the type of ownership1564 (i.e., sale or rental), and theaddress1566. The barterer may also take a virtual tour by clicking on theVirtual Tour icon1568 or may make a counter offer by selecting theMake Offer icon1570.
• If any one of the available barter orders requires the price to fluctuate with the stock market, the display is preferably continually updated so that the prices reflect market value as close to real time as possible if one of the barterers are countering with stock. The screen also displays the order number, symbol, share price, ratio to stock trading price, Value Ratio, number of shares, barter amount, barter price fluctuation with stock trading price, special conditions, timing, and dividend reinvestment criteria.
• If the individual decides that they are willing to barter away some or all of their selected real estate portfolio for one or more barter orders listed, they select to do so1458, ofFIG. 14D (or as long as they have more barter amount available) by simply clicking on each order, (i.e. choosing first preference then second preference, and so on) or theMake Offer icon1570. Each time an order is chosen, thesystem1100 permits/requires the individual to revise their original asking price for the real estate they desire to trade away in the barter, thereby requiring the individual to accept the real estate or the amount of stock received in return from the barter order that they had selected. When a posted order is chosen, thesystem1100 enters the corresponding information in a table on the screen to notify the individual of the transaction number, and other relevant information as shown inFIG. 16.
• If user clicks on “transaction#/mls#”, another screen appears which can show a picture of the property along with basic information shown inFIG. 11C including the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, the taxes, lot size, block number, lot number, zone, type, map, listing number, etc. In addition, there can be remarks written about the property, by the owner (i.e. seller) or by the website.
• If user clicks on the Make Offer icon, the system provides the user limited pertinent blanks in the Agreement, to be filled in by the barterer, such as the buyers name (please note system may enter this automatically if all users are pre-screened before using the system); purchase price including type of security or financial interest; breakdown of payment of purchase price; mortgage contingency amount; type of mortgage including other particulars such as interest rate, length of mortgage, and points; time and place of closing; type of deed; personal property to be included; commission clause should either party hire an agent and various other particular items that maybe important from state to state or country to country.
• The “seller” may counter the “buyer” agreement using the same agreement and making changes to it and returning it via the email system to the “buyer”. Preferably, the system highlights any changes in different color each time so that both the seller and the buyer can recognize which changes were made on which counter offer date.
• Additionally, when a barter order is chosen, thesystem1100 “locks” the barter order, including the price, to the individual for a predetermined duration. A display of the time remaining to complete the transaction appears in a “time remaining”display box1626. Should the time expire, thesystem1100 provides two options: 1) finalize transaction; 2) or lose transaction in “X” seconds, with seconds decrementing on screen. Thesystem1100 may, if desired, inform the individual that someone else is looking at the same barter order and may inform other users that there are pending barter orders which may come available.
• Upon the individual reviewing available barter orders and deciding what they want to do, (i.e. accept one or more orders or none), they proceed by choosing one of the following four icons1631-1634: 1) clear; 2) change barter order; 3) finalize transaction; and 4) finalize transaction but display more barter options. Each option leads to the display of additional screens to complete the selected task as indicated inFIG. 14E.
• Thesystem1100 exhibits other special conditions such as if the value of a security falls, thesystem1100 may require barterers to barter some or all of a security or real estate back; an election to require that the Value Ratio must stay within a specified range for a specified time or trigger an action by thesystem1100 such as a penalty, or forcing the individuals to switch some or all the real estate and security back, etc.; and the entry of multiple securities or symbols, and corresponding value prices, and permit thesystem1100 to automatically take the best Value Ratio as long as Value Ratio is over a specific number (i.e. such as 1.00) set by the barterer and thesystem1100 automatically completes the transaction if posted barter orders exist meeting that criteria.
• Thesystem1100 may be programmed to automatically purchase security within a predetermined value range when a barter order is posted or market values change, complete a barter transaction for the barter order and sell the acquired security while charging an appropriate fee. Thesystem1100 may act as a negotiator between barterers, sending each an e-mail or otherwise notifying them when the search engine discovers potential matches among barter orders. Thesystem1100 may permit access by individual barterers to the identity of barterers who have posted “matching” barter orders to allow them to negotiate directly between themselves through e-mail or otherwise. Thesystem1100 may require e-mail sent through it to purge “identity” (i.e. ensure anonymity). Thesystem1100 may create an e-mail subsystem allowing individuals interesting in bartering to enter limited pertinent information into the blanks of the agreement being presented to one another only identifying the individuals by the order number or transaction number that was created by thesystem1100 when it originally posted the barter order. This is referred to as an “Make Offer”. Thesystem1100 may lock the individual's real estate or security being offered for a specified time allowing the individual receiving the offer time to accept, modify, or reject the offer. In other words, the individual making the offer cannot back out unless the person receiving it fails to respond within the time frame, modifies it or rejects it. The system may act as an negotiator between two individuals by calling or sending each of them e-mail in an attempt to get them to an agreed-upon barter amount or price. Alternatively, the system may permit the individuals involved to negotiate directly between themselves or through the system over the telephone or via email. In this manner, the system may coordinate and setup appointments or teleconferences between all parties via e-mail, telephone or fax. The system may be also setup in a user friendly manner to facilitate questions and answers about the property through e-mail, telephone or fax.
• Thesystem1100 can also be configured for telephone access so that all functions that one may do online may be done over the telephone. Additionally, pre-approved individuals can be permitted to barter for real estate and securities (which the website holds in escrow) prior to bartering their own securities.
• In the generalized version of the barter system, various types of barters may be implemented as schematically illustrated inFIGS. 17A through 17E.
• Referring toFIG. 17A, a two party exchange or direct barter is illustrated where Barterer “A” barters directly with Barterer “B” to effect an exchange of properties; the “relinquished” property X and the “replacement” property Y respectively. For example, Barterer A posts a SFD in NJ “X” worth $850,000 for a MFD in NJ “Y” worth $800,000 plus $50,000 in cash. Barterer B accepts the barter effectuating an agreement to barter the properties and cash. Barterer A receives the MFD in NJ plus $50,000 in cash from Barterer B and Barterer B receives the SFD in NJ and pays $50,000 in cash.
• In this case, since the barter transaction was not an exact match in value, thesystem1100 balanced the barter transaction by allowing Barterer B to pay cash. Thesystem1100 may also permit balancing by providing web barter dollars, or offering a different security, such as stocks or bonds to make up the monetary difference.
• Referring toFIG. 17B, a two party exchange with an intermediary is illustrated. For example, Barterer A barters with Barterer B to trade away real property X and acquire security Y through an intermediary. If a match is located but the values are not equal, (for example if the security of Barterer B has the greater value), the intermediary may retain the excess security and supplement Barterer B, bartering away the greater value security with cash, provide web barter dollars, a different security or acquire more of the desired security, (by first acquiring such).
• The intermediary either obtains additional cash or a security from the other barterer and/or from a third party (upon which the intermediary reciprocates a security, cash, or web barter dollars). In another example, using the same values above, Barterer A posts a SFD in NJ for $875,000. Barterer B has a MFD in NJ worth $500,000 and also has Microsoft stock worth $400,000. If Barterer A would not accept the property value difference in Microsoft stock, but would take AOL stock. The intermediary passes the property X to Barterer B, keeps the $400,000 of Microsoft stock Y and forwards $375,000 of AOL stock W to Barterer A.
• FIG. 17C illustrates a three party transaction with an intermediary. Barterer C barters away real estate Y to receive security X. The intermediary, which may be the barter website, identifies barterers A and B to complete the transaction. Barterer A barters security X for cash and Barterer B barters real estate Y for cash. The cash amounts may or may not be equal, but barterers A, B and C may incur a service charge from the intermediary/website for the service provided. Additionally, the transactions need not occur at the same time. For example, the intermediary may complete the property transactions between barterers A and C as first “leg” of the barter, and subsequently complete the remaining property and cash transactions between A and B as a second leg of the barter.
• In lieu of cash, web dollar credits are preferred where the website acts as intermediary. In another embodiment, thesystem1100 may allow the barterers to barter away their real estate, securities or financial interests at a different time than when they receive a security or financial interest. This is a deferred exchange. It should be recognized by those of skill in the art that any or all of the bartered items may be real estate, securities or a combination of both. Additionally, there may be different types of real estate or different types of securities. Thesystem1100 accepts all types of property for transfer and bartering.
• FIG. 17D illustrates a three party transaction without an intermediary. In this example, Barterer A receives cash for real property X. Barterer B receives real property X in exchange for security Y. Barterer C receives security Y for the cash, which is forwarded to Barterer A.
• Referring now toFIG. 18, the posted barterorder database module1116 stores postedbarter orders1806, providesaccess routines1802 and performs maintenance of the database1804. Among theaccess routines1802 are add order record, delete order record and get order record.
• The add order routine generates a database record that comprises the barter order in addition to a unique transaction number, the time and date stamp of the order and the account number. There are numerous delete routines to remove posted barter orders based on different criteria. Some of the criteria are account number, transaction number, time and date, and barter item. Similarly, the get routine can return records based on the same criteria.
• The maintenance program1804 executes periodically, or optionally at the request of and access routine1802, to remove and modify posted barter orders. For example, orders may be modified if a stock split occurs. Orders can be removed for a number of reasons such as the barter order expires, the barter account closes or the barter item is no longer available. For example, a barter order can be removed if stock trading is halted and the barter order designates this stock.
• Barter orders are modified by the maintenance program1804 under a number of circumstances. A stock symbol designated in an order may have changed or the account number of the barter order is changed. Optionally, maintenance program1804 generates indexes and tables to facilitate quick access to the database records.
• Optionally, if thesystem1100 included a separate database of each individual's portfolio for all securities, the system can perform similar access routines and maintenance routines as described above.
• After thesystem1100 is activated, for an initial period there will be no fee charged in order to build a database of properties. Once it has been deemed that the system has a substantial inventory of properties, a monthly and/or a flat fee can be charged in order to list a property on the website. Additionally, a commission upon the transfer of a particular property may be charged. The system can also charge one, or all parties for each transfer, depending upon how the parties would like the transfer structured or how the operators of the website would like to implement the fee structure.
• One embodiment of the system permits an individual who posts their property on the website for sale to withdraw the offer for sale prior to settlement and change the offer to an offer to barter the property. Further, an individual can authorize the system to incorporate their cash or property into a new partnership that can invest in properties or commodities. Accordingly, the system can create or interface with an entity that creates, partnerships that can permit individuals to receive shares of a new partnership in exchange for their cash or property. Accordingly, the system can create partnerships that can utilize the excess funds from multiple individuals where each individual can receive a portion (i.e. shares) of the new partnership. This may also benefit the individual in that the IRS may deem this a non-taxable event.
• The system ultimately can be the “national database” of commercial, residential and industrial property for sale or barter. Guiding individuals through the entire process of the sale or exchange of real estate, the system permits users to interface with various entities involved in real estate transactions with electronic links from the website1102 including, but not limited to, the following:
• • a) mortgage companies;
  • b) real estate appraisers;
  • c) title insurance companies;
  • d) inspection companies including home, termite and engineer inspections; and
  • e) attorneys.
• The system also interfaces with other electronic systems to seemlessly provide information to barterers such as tax records, phone numbers, e-mail addresses and other information for a posted property and neighboring properties including, but not limited to, assessed value, last sale price, etc.
• It should be recognized that due to the flexible nature of thesystem1100, there are several services thesystem1100 can provide. Pre-approved individuals may be permitted to barter (which the web site can hold in escrow) prior to exchanging their own property.
• Since the properties don't have to close at the same time, thesystem1100 can perform the transactions within the time limits set by the tax reform act of 1984, as amended. Thesystem1100 requires the taxpayer to identify properties within the time frame allowed, which is currently 45 days, and close on the replacement property within the time frame allowed, which is currently the earlier of: a) 180 days after the transfer of the relinquished property; or b) the due date of the taxpayer's federal income tax return (including extensions) for the year in which the relinquished property is transferred.
• Thesystem1100 may take an individualized specification for a replacement property desired by an individual, before or after an individual exchanges their property, and continually update the individual regarding the available properties about which the individual may be interested. The specification includes geographical areas, type of property and other factors which are used to determine the current “closest” available matches for a specific property. The specification may be created by email, telephone or when the individual accesses the website. While on-line, the system may continually update the closest matches, thereby permitting an individual to either ignore the matches, chose a match to look at or chose multiple matches to look at. The system may also be set up to respond by telephone or email. Thesystem1100 may automatically contact neighbors within a certain geographical radius of a property that is being posted for sale or barter to notify the neighbors.
• In another embodiment, thesystem1100 may act as an auction whereby a seller can choose whom they consider the highest bidder if offers involve different types of securities.
• Although the invention has been described in part by making detailed reference to the preferred embodiment, such detail is intended to be instructive rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations may be made in the structure and mode of operation without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as disclosed in the teachings herein.

Claims (20)

1. (canceled)

2. A system for exchanging a first real estate item for a second real estate item comprising:

means for identifying for exchange a first real estate item owned by a first user;

means for designating criteria associated with an exchange of the first real estate item for a second real estate item owned by a second user;

means for requesting a list of real estate items including the second real estate item, each real estate item in the list meeting the criteria associated with the exchange;

means for selecting the second real estate item for exchange; and

means for receiving a confirmation of the exchange.

3. A system for exchanging real estate items comprising:

means for receiving an identification of a first real estate item owned by a first user offered for exchange;

means for receiving criteria associated with an exchange of the first real estate item for a second real estate item owned by a second user;

means for generating a list of real estate items including the second real estate item, each barter item in the list meeting the criteria associated with the exchange;

means for receiving a selection of the second real estate item for exchange; and

means for transmitting a confirmation of the exchange to the first and second users.

4. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the second real estate item is a lease property.

5. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the criteria includes a value representing a number of bedrooms associated with the first real estate item.

6. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the criteria includes a value representing a number of bedrooms associated with the second real estate item.

7. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the criteria includes a date range within which the second real estate item is available for use.

8. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the criteria includes a range of credit available to be added to the value of the first real estate item.

9. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the criteria includes a range of credit available to be added to the value of the second real estate item.

10. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the criteria includes a location near which the second real estate item is located.

11. The system ofclaim 16 further including processing at least one fee associated with the exchange.

12. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the fee is a flat fee.

13. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the fee is an annual fee.

14. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the fee is based on a value of the first real estate item.

15. The system ofclaim 11 wherein the fee is based on a value of the second real estate item.

16. A system for exchanging a plurality of real estate items among a plurality of users, the method comprising:

means for identifying for exchange the plurality of real estate items, each real estate item owned by a distinct user;

means for identifying a first criteria associated with each real estate item;

means for identifying a second criteria associated with each user;

means for matching the first criteria with the second criteria to determine a plurality of exchanges; and

means for transmitting confirmation of the plurality of exchanges to each user.

17. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the step of transmitting includes:

providing a user with a list of available exchanges from which to select; and

receiving a selection of at least one available exchange.

18. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the plurality of real estate items is more than two.

19. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the second criteria includes a difference in value between real estate items.

20. The system ofclaim 16 wherein the step of transmitting further includes transmitting a confirmation to each user, each confirmation including information relating only to the associated user.

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