AUTOMATED ENTRY

1 . Software that when executed on a computing system performs a method for providing automated entry to properties, the method comprising:

providing an application interface of an application running on a computing system to a property manager, the property manager being a manager or an owner of the property, the application interface prompting the property manager to enter a visitor name and contact information for a visitor, wherein upon receipt of the visitor name and contact information, the application provides the visitor with an invitation to receive automated entry information including code information that is valid during a specified period of time so that the visitor can enter by themselves a property marked available as an open house to invited visitors, the invitation being delivered to the visitor electronically, the invitation being applicable only to the property and the invitation requesting identification from the visitor;

upon the application receiving and confirming identification information from the visitor, providing, by the application, automated entry information to the visitor that allows the visitor to enter the property, the automated entry information including code information that is valid during the specified period of time so that upon the visitor providing the code information within the specified period of time to a lock box or an automated door lock located at or near the property, the lock box or automated door lock opens to facilitate automated entry to the property; and,

receiving notification, originating from the lock box or automated door lock, to the property manager when the visitor enters the property.

2 . Software as in claim 1 , wherein the property manager uses the application interface to initiate the invitation.

3 . Software as in claim 1 , wherein the property manager is an owner of the property.

4 . Software as in claim 1 , wherein the automated entry information is provided via a text message or an e-mail.

5 . Software as in claim 1 , wherein the visitor is provided opportunities to enter other properties.

6 . Software as in claim 1 , wherein the method additionally comprises:

listing a second property as available for scheduling when the second property is not ready for viewing and there are no times advertised anywhere when the second property will be ready and available for viewing;

providing a selection option which a visitor using the portable device can select to indicate a desire to enter the second property;

upon the application receiving a visitor request to enter the second property, notifying the visitor once the second property is ready for viewing and there are times when the property will be ready and available for viewing.

7 . A method for providing automated entry to properties, comprising:

listing a property as available for scheduling when the property is not ready for viewing and there are no times advertised anywhere when the property will be ready and available for viewing;

providing an application interface of an application running on a computing system that includes a selection option which a visitor using the portable device can select to indicate a desire to enter the property;

upon the application receiving a visitor request to enter the property, notifying the visitor once the property is ready for viewing and there are times when the property will be ready and available for viewing including:

providing the visitor with an invitation to receive automated entry information including code information that is valid during a specified period of time so that the visitor can enter the property by themselves, the invitation being delivered to the visitor electronically, the invitation being applicable only to the property and the invitation requesting identification from the visitor;

upon the application receiving and confirming identification information from the visitor, providing, by the application, automated entry information to the visitor that allows the visitor to enter the property, the automated entry information including code information that is valid during the specified period of time so that upon the visitor providing the code information within the specified period of time to a lock box or an automated door lock located at or near the property, the lock box or automated door lock opens to facilitate automated entry to the property; and,

receiving notification, originating from the lock box or automated door lock, to the property manager when the visitor enters the property.

8 . A method for providing automated entry to properties, comprising:

providing an application interface of an application running on a computing system to a property manager, the property manager being a manager, a listing agent or an owner of the property, the application interface prompting the property manager to enter a visitor name and contact information for a visitor, wherein upon receipt of the visitor name and contact information, the application provides the visitor with an invitation to receive automated entry information including code information that is valid during a specified period of time so that the visitor can enter by themselves a property marked available for viewing to invited visitors, the invitation being delivered to the visitor electronically, the invitation being applicable only to the property and the invitation requesting identification from the visitor;

upon the application receiving and confirming identification information for the visitor, providing, by the application, automated entry information to the visitor that allows the visitor to enter the property, the automated entry information including code information that is valid during the specified period of time so that upon the visitor providing the code information within the specified period of time to a lock box or an automated door lock located at or near each property, the lock box or automated door lock opens to facilitate automated entry to the property;

tracking visitor activities at the properties; and

making information about the properties available within a user interface.

9 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein making the information about the properties available includes allowing agents to claim leads for the properties.

10 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein making the information about the properties available includes displaying a status for each property.

11 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein making the information about the properties available includes displaying identification of an agent that is assigned to each property.

12 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein making the information about the properties available includes displaying contact information for each property.

13 . A method as in claim 12 , wherein making the information about the properties available includes displaying a last activity date for each property.

14 . A method as in claim 8 , wherein making the information about the properties available includes displaying a last activity for each property.

15 . A method as in claim 8 , additionally comprising:

allowing an administrator to select which types of communications about a property are forwarded to an agent assigned to the property.

16 . A method as in claim 15 , wherein the types of communications about the property include at least one of the following:

a phone call;

a text message;

an e-mail.

17 . A method as in claim 8 , additionally comprising:

listing a second property as available for scheduling when the second property is not ready for viewing and there are no times advertised anywhere when the second property will be ready and available for viewing;

providing a selection option which a visitor using the portable device can select to indicate a desire to enter the second property; and,

upon the application receiving a visitor request to enter the second property, notifying the visitor once the second property is ready for viewing and there are times when the property will be ready and available for viewing.