Referrals is by far the best way to find a lead. Also, see who is listing properties in your area by their signs and advertisements in the newspapers.
THEN -- and make sure you take this step, because this is the answer to your question -- CALL the office by which most of the properties in your area have been sold. Ask for their top SELLING agent. Then interview that agent over the telephone. Ask him/her how many "tranactions" they complete each year (the average is 1.4 -- you want an agent you completed more than 6 per year, but hopefully in the double digits). Then ask them what the will do to help sell your house if you list it with them. Ask if they discount their commission as all (let them name the percentage).
You might want to conduct several of these interviews before making your final decision. After all, the commission you will pay for the listing agent is several thousand dollars.
You can also call the Board of Realtors in your area. Ask them for the topselling or listing agent in your neighborhood (zip code). Remember, you want the agent who has marketed the house -- not necessarily brought their clients there. Skills are different -- although many agents have both great listing and selling skills.
Good luck. I do encourage you to do your homework on this because it's an expensive decision! A good agent can frequently increase the sale price of your home to cover a good portion of not all of his/her commission. It's worth getting the best you can.
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