Here is today’s list of top real estate posts of the day.

1) Think You’re the Online Marketing Master – Think Again! Check Out These 5 Points and See How You Measure Up – From developing a niche to managing your time, some good information to stay on track.

2) The Real Estate For Sale Sign of The Future – QRC is becoming more and more popular. You may not know what a QRC is, but I am pretty sure you have seen one.

3) Paying a social media penance – If you follow my stuff at all you know the mad respect I have for Marc Davidson. This is an interesting move. I myself unfollowed about 1000 people earlier this year, but will not be following him to this extreme.

4) Existing Home Sales Dip a Bit Nationally in February – It is good to know what is going on with the market nationally because your clients will hear it on the news. But remember, it is more important to know what is going on locally as all real estate is local.

5) 5 Minute Perfect Follow Up and the Secret to Lead Conversion – The numbers are staggering, how quick are you getting in touch with your potential clients? This is why you answer the phone when you can!

6) OC Register talks to Stefan Swanepoel on the market and agents – This is a great Blog Talk Radio segment, put it on in the background while you work.

7) Option Arms – the Big Bang That Didn’t Come (Yet) – There are still a lot of negative amortization option arms out there.

8) Why I Use Foursquare. And Why You Should Too – I always used foursquare different than things like Facebook and Twitter. I was much more private on Foursquare. I read this yesterday and it happened to come through my RSS feed when Drew was sitting right across the table from me. After I was finished I had a short conversation with him about it and changed the way I used the application.

9) Who Can Get a Loan Modification? – Sarah takes a look at loan mods and points out if you remain current and are a good payer you have a better chance of getting a loan modification done.

10) REALTORS That Want to “Raise the Bar” (#RTB) Can Start by Getting Informed. – The NAR site has some good resources available for agents on the home buyer tax credit.

Here is today’s list of top real estate posts of the day.

1) How screwed up is Bank of America? – The stories on the banks messing up on these foreclosures seem to be never stopping. Here is another one where the bank decided to foreclose on a house and take the goods inside. Even though they were not the lien holder on the house.

2) Will Getting A Loan Modification Hurt Your Credit Score? – Foreclosures and short sales are not the only thing that can damage your credit. Loan mods could have a negative impact too.

3) Use your Business Cards Effectively: Direct People! – There is somewhat of a point to what he is saying, but that is easy to say for me and Josh Aberson, but if your name is Ruth Griffith or John Smith, it is a little harder. And I also want to make sure they know I am easily found on social media so I list all my social media platforms on the back. And if they are driving down the road and want to see a house, I want them to pull out my card and call me, not the agent on the sign so I make it easy. But I get his point.

4) The Lowest Mortgage Rates of 2010 Will Be Locked In March And April – Mortgage rates have to go up they cannot go any lower, we have been hearing it for a solid year now. Dan Green thinks there may be about another month and a half left.

5) Foreclosure Inventory Is Increasing – With numbers going up will banks slow down again on the number of foreclosures they do to keep inventory lower?

6) The Advantages of Presenting and Receiving Offers In Person – It is harder and harder to do these days with the amount of foreclosures, but that is a local thing.

7) What Will You do for Success in Real Estate? – Choosing between work and down time is always a difficult choice. I like John tend to pick work right now.

8) Are You B. F. D. or Delusional? Take The Scrape The Label Test. – This is one of those posts you need to read 2-3 times to digest it, but you should!

9) 10 Commandments when preparing to apply for a mortgage. – Short and to the point, more people should listen to number 10.

10) Have you heard the one about the lawyer & the shark? – Lawyers and Realtors, she is right, we have so much in common. Both not held in the highest of regards, until you need us.

Here is today’s list of top real estate posts of the day.

1) Brokers: embrace difference, love the eccentric – Marc Davison of 1000watt Consulting talks about what he would do if he was a broker, right down to the restroom in his office. The key, being different.

2) What’s wrong with Private Transfer Fees? – While all the comments on this post agree with the author, I differ. Private transfer fees are annoying and should be done away with. Add the fee into the cost of the house and that is real disclosure.

3) The Art of Negotiating – Don’t let principle get in the way.

4) Higher Foreclosure Sales Expected By 2012 – Oh goodie-goodie, foreclosures will continue for another two years!

5) Revisit Your Circle of Influence and Revive Your Real Estate Business – Great advice for new agents and seasoned veterans, get to work on that sphere.

6) The Foreclosure Epidemic – A Discussion with Alex Charfen – Ok I am going to put aside my feelings on the CDPE program and Alex Charfen for a minute (and no John, there are better programs out there) but I love his look at foreclosures in this video. He explains why it appears foreclosures may be slowing down right now, but they are really not. 1-in-6 mortgages in this country are late. Just let that number sink in.

7) Do We Believe in the Millenials? – People currently between 18-30 are Millenials, how will they effect the future or real estate?

8) The Good Side of Loan Modification’s Failure, A Buoyant Foreclosure Market – Now here is someone reaching for a silver lining. Interesting take on the good side of loan mod failures.

9) Are Real Estate Stats Where It’s At? – Short term results, but interesting perspective on adding stats to your site.

10) Blog Carnival of Real Estate – My First Time to Host! Winners Announcement – The Canival is back in town.

1) Learn by Doing, Exercise 2 for Real Estate Investors – How to Sell – Want to practice your sales techniques? Here is an interesting idea, a way to practice on Craigslist.

2) Does the Realtor’s Code of Ethics Prevent Real Estate Agents From Serving Their Clients? – Great post, something I admit I struggle with on a regular basis. How do you answer that question from the out of state buyer when they ask, is that a safe neighborhood, or is that a nice neighborhood, or would you put your mother there? You can’t.

3) RUMOR: First American offers up to 40% rev share with MLS providers – The part I find  most interesting is the rumor RPR may go around MLS providers and get their data straight from brokers. Sit back and grab the popcorn, this is going to be interesting to watch.

4) When Miami Beach Condo owners listen – Look at these pictures, staging can make such a difference, yet not really cost much money at all.

5) Agents of Change – Is there a week that goes by without a good discussion on Redfin and their model? I recently talked to them myself and what struck me was their overwhelming emphasis on customer satisfaction. Everyone says that is what they are all about, but with them, that is how you get paid.

6)  You Can’t Get Your Mortgage News From A Newspaper. And Here’s The Proof – Dan Green does a number on a mortgage column in the business section of his newspaper.

7) Loan Modification Horror Stories, What Are The Lessons? – If you are going to try to do a loan modification please do your homework. Check out the long term results of loan modifications and see who they really help in the end. And double, triple check any company you may work with and have them provide a list of a dozen clients who worked with them over a year ago to see if they are still happy.

8) FHA Streamline Refinance: Is It Still Possible? – If you have an FHA loan that is currently over 5.5% it may be time to look at a streamline.

9) Dallas RainCamp – Internet Marketing Class For Professionals – New to blogging or just intimidated about setting up your first real estate blog, RainCamp may be for you.

10) Alternatives to the Apple iPad for Tablet Computing – I have been struggling to hold off on the iPad. By this fall I will have a tablet for sure, I was wishing I had one last night when I was printing off all my MLS sheets for today’s showings. But there is some good stuff coming down the road that may be worth waiting for so I can avoid ATT’s network.

1) Top 5 Steps to Avoid Foreclosure without Falling Into a Loan Modification Scam – If you are thinking of doing a loan modification beware of all the scam companies out there. Loan mods seem to be the top money generating scam these days in real estate. Here are some tips on avoiding the scams.

2) What is a Short Sale? – We throw the words short sale around often, but do you know for sure what a short sale is and what it is going to mean to you the buyer or seller?

3) I Want To Be Your Second Choice When You Choose A Realtor – I have heard this point before and it is a great point. Hire your friend first, then if they don’t get it done, Ian Watt says call me.

4) Why Are HUD Homes Becoming Popular Again? – There are a lot of great HUD programs and I also have noticed the supply of HUD homes has been on the rise around here too.

5) Understanding Strategic Defaults – Strategic defaults seems to be the phrase of the month.

6) Where can I get the best real estate deal in Scottsdale? – Deal, that is what every buyer says they want and of course, who doesn’t. But deal should not be price alone.

7) NAR: FHA to announce changes this week – There was a lot of talk in late 2009 about FHA raising the minimum down payment from 3.5% to 5%, which I supported. But another possibility is leaving it at 3.5% but raising the mortgage insurance premium payment up front. Either way, expect changes over the next year in FHA loans.

8) Marty Frame Answers MLS Concerns About RPR™ at ICNY 10′ – A great watch for any real estate agent on RPR and MLS’.

9) Which Sells More Homes: Local MLS or National Real Estate Website – A good discussion, do more people find houses through their MLS or national real estate site? Based on my experience with my clients it is not even close, MLS wins.

10) 8 Things You Should Do Before Writing Content For Your Real Estate Website – I can tell from my RSS reader that many real estate bloggers made a resolution to write more this year, and I can also tell over the last week that has slowed down a little. In a rut, here is some good advice for getting your groove on again.

1) How To Avoid Loan Modification Companies And Save Thousands – A successful loan modification that actually cuts the balance is so far and few between I don’t see many cases where it is worth it. Here is a good post on how homeowners can go about it themselves.

2) Proposed Financial Crisis Responsibility Fee – New proposal that would charge banks who received TARP money a fee to recollect the money. Yea this is good, but is there anyone who really thinks they won’t just pass those fees back onto the consumer?

3) Finding a Home After Foreclosure or Short Sale – It is hard for me to admit how great this video post idea is seeing she is my chief competition (she knows I am joking). Everyone is talking about foreclosures and short sales, but who is advising those people what to do next. Great job Kristin!

4) The Beauty of the Short Sale Transaction (No Folks, I’m Really Not Kidding) – This is the first post I have ever read from Melissa, but she is already becoming one of my favorites! There are so few of us out there who actually enjoy going to battle with the banks on the short sales.

5) Self-Directed IRAs – A Few Answers For You – Who’s looking for a new niche market….

6) Savvy Real Estate Agents, Brokers, and Managers Understand The New HUD-1 and GFE – Can we ever get enough of the new HUD and GFE?

7) REALTOR.com® was Most Visited Real Estate Website in December – So who was the most visited real estate site in December? Zillow? Realtor.com? Both claim to be.

8) The Most Important Question (that Most of Us Answer Poorly) – What do you do? We all ask it and get asked it almost every day. Is I drive around in my car all day talking to a flip cam a good answer?

9) All of the Best Features of Top Producer…for $100 – I have been looking for a good Top Producer like system for a while. Not sure this is it, but it is one of the closest I have seen.

10) CleanSlate videos from Inman – This is not really a post, but Sherry Chris of Better Homes and Gardens is doing a great job with videos in the hallways at Inman Connect.

1) Large Backlog Of Bank Owned Homes – The flood is coming, buckle up everyone.

2) The Great Tsunami of Foreclosures – Shake up or Shaky Ground? – Disregard number one, the flood is not coming.

3) Loan Modification Program, Good Intention Bad Idea – Good post and the key point is the last paragraph.

4) Ring Out the Old, Ring in the New Good Faith Estimate – More on the new GFE’s, have to get ready for them. Looking forward to part 2 of this one.

5) WTF with NAR?! (Updated) – Another shot at NAR for due increases.

6) Who’s Afraid of Redfin.com? – Very interesting post on how Redfin.com is the trendsetter in real estate, not Zillow. The one question I have is, I always hear about the high tech Redfin agents. Where are they in the blogging and Twitter universe?

7) Another Vote in Favor of Professionalism… – Is the business really changing so that it will become more consumer centered and we really need to lift our professionalism in how we take care of customer service or has it always been that way and the best will continue to rise to the top?

8) 6 Ways to Build your Buyers List – Looking for some buyers in the hot market? Here are six places you can target.

9) The MOST Frequently Asked Home-Buyer Question: “How Much Should I Offer?” – This has got to be one of the hardest questions to answer in real estate, really impossible with so many factors as pointed out here.

10) FHA Loans After A Foreclosure – So how long after the foreclosure before you can purchase your next house? Depends on the lender.

1) #1 Real Estate Investment Myth – Cash Flow Always King – Is cash flow not always king? BawldGuy makes the argument if you are thinking that way you are thinking to short term.

2) HUD releases webcast on final RESPA rules – Ready for the new HUD-1 and GFE rules? You should be.

3) The Real Estate Brokerage of the Future – What a great quote, make sure your real estate agent is technology-centric and customer-obsessed.

4) A Lot Of People Are Going To Take A Walk – We love to blame the lending industry for the run up in housing prices. Let’s not forget the role some appraisers played too.

5) Virtual Tours and Video Go Another Round – This is an interesting new technology if it ever becomes affordable, but my favorite part is the UrlThatIsLongerThanSomeShortStories.

6) We Blew Up the Call Center (And We Launched Atlanta) – Here they grow again. Everyone’s favorite agency to talk about, Redfin, expanded into Atlanta this week.

7) Brokerage from the ashes – Great read as always from the 1000Watt crew. All we need now is a link to Mikes website so we can check it out.

8) Getting the $6500 Tax Credit as an Existing Home Owner – Do you need to sell your old house to qualify for the homebuyer tax credit of $6500?

9) Running a Successful Real Estate Business Part Deux: Multiple Profit Centers – Great advice for agents, you can prepare for today’s market, but what happens when it changes next week. Make sure you are ready.

10) Five Reasons Why Short Sales Are Declined – This list of top 5 reasons a short sale is declined is Bank of America’s list, other banks may vary.

1) Title, Escrow and HUD’s New Good Faith Estimate – How will the new GFE/HUD effect title company or escrow?

2) Update from Bank of America on Short Sales – As someone who has a short sale currently stuck in this new system that is supposed to be making things easier I am very skeptical, but hope they do really want to make things better.

3) How The Long Tail and Hyper Local Content Will Punch a Hole Through the Competition – Why are longer keyword phrases better? Because if they are finding you, it is much more likely they are finding what they were searching for.

4) Adjustable Rate Mortgages: The Pros and Cons to these Tempting Loans – Good information although I think the con list is greatly understated. There is a huge risk that in 3-4-5 years when you think you may be selling the interest rates will be way up and you won’t sell. Or maybe the reason you know you will be selling changes and you decide not to sell. With fixed rates so low right now I am not a big advocate for ARM’s.

5) Ben Bernanke just refinanced his home at 5%, what about you? – And to go along with number 4, if Ben Bernake just refinanced to a fixed rate, that should tell you something.

6) Are you “making an offer” or buying a house? – This gives me a great idea for a video of my own, I don’t think enough people understand when they are making an offer they are entering into a contract and are expected to follow through.

7) FAQ About the Homebuyer Tax Credit – Got questions about the tax credit, this is a good place to start.

8) Seriously? Judge’s Ruling Based On “I’m Gonna Teach You a Lesson” Precedent? – Agree completely in principle, but with the sweetheart payback deal the administration gave to Indymac/OneWest I kind of enjoyed this. The government gave them a deal where they are guaranteed to make money IF they foreclose on the house so there is no incentive at all to ever approve a short sale or loan modification. So while I agree this was overstepping his boundaries as a judge and I believe it will get overturned, I enjoyed it very much.

9) The Absolute Best Way to Learn Real Estate Investing – Best ways to learn? Do and teach.

10) Which WordPress Theme Is Best for My Real Estate Site? – The best part of this post is the framework v. theme aspect.

1) Congress Screams Bloody Murder About HAMP Program – Lani to answer your question it is ironic not noble. I just did a quick search and couldn’t find it, wish I could find the video of him leading the effort to make home ownership “more affordable to more Americans.”

2) Roost.com Expands Into Eleven New Metro Regions – Here they grow again. Roost is quickly becoming one of the leaders in home search and IDX solutions.

3) JPMorgan: 200,000 HAMP Mods Offered, Only 2% Permanent – For those of you so psyched about the new short sale program recommendations I hope you are paying attention. I predict the success rate of those will be somewhere around the same as this joke of a program.

4) Mortgage Myth Busted : Mortgage Rates Don’t Take The Elevator Up And The Stairs Down (At Least Now, Anyway) – Strange how some myths sound great, but when analyzed with data just do not hold up.

5) Career Loyalty and Longevity, Do You Have What it Takes? – Congrats to Lesley Lambert, 20 years as a Realtor. Lesley shares why she has lasted so long.

6) Would you like my 2010 Calendar? – Are you an agent that likes to do calendars? Well here is a different take on it, using local pictures of the community that you take.

7) Trulia’s December Price Reduction Report – Home Price Reduction Levels Drop to 2009 Low – According to Trulia’s data 22% of U.S. homes on the market as of 12/1/2009 have had at least one price reduction, which is the lowest number since April 2009.

8) Real Estate Brokerage Websites – I Don’t Think We Are In Kansas Anymore – One broker looks at why blogging is such an important part of a web strategy for any broker.

9) Modifications are Failing…. (More on the Acronym Soup) – More reasons why the loan modifications are failing. I should consider doing a post on this too. I have been in the homes of people trying to help them get loan modifications to become permanent and some of the stories I have are amazing. I had one who had been working on it for two months, had sent in all the paperwork back in September and then late November they were told they had to start all over again at the beginning with another department because the bank had changed the way they handled process. Not that the lender would transfer the paperwork to the new department, they had to start all over again at square one. Redonkulous.

10) [Altos Research/Real IQ] November 2009: Listing Prices Down In 25 of 26 markets – Real time market stat updates on your site? I have been holding off jumping onto the Altos bandwagon. This may get me to jump.