Abstract: A system and method for transacting retrieval of real estate property listings using a remote client interfaced over an information network is described. A set of real estate property listings is maintained in a structured database. Each listing includes a characteristics set describing property listing information organized according to property class. A remote client is interfaced in a dynamic search session via a communications link transiently connected over an information network. The remote client maintains both program code and data exclusively in a general purpose random access memory configured for both transient and persistent storage. A target characteristics set describing one or more such listings in at least one such property class is received from the remote client upon initiation of the session. The listings matching the target characteristics set from the structured database are identified. The listings are provided to the remote client upon termination of the session.

Abstract: A system and process for providing remote interactive access to a real estate information database using a portable computing device are described. A portable computing device maintains both program code and data exclusively in a general purpose random access memory configured for both transient and persistent storage of program code and data. A database server includes a search engine configured to retrieve listing records from a real estate information database. Each listing record includes a set of characteristics describing an individual real estate property listing. A remote client defines methods in the general purpose random access memory for accessing the real estate information database through the search engine. The methods include a session manager, a search specification method, and a search results display method. The session manager facilitates a dynamic session between the portable computing device and the database server over a communications link.