Experience to start with.

Agency affiliation makes no difference to us. We look for a strong agent in that location with a record of a success and willingness to cooperate on the referral.

I say, here you go and forget it. 

I check out their profile and experience and whether they service the area I am specifically looking for. Then Imake a personal call and see how quickly I get a response. Then finally after a phone interview I makes a decision whether to send the referral. 

I would normally search for a successful RE/MAX agent in the market. If they are in the 100% Club, they earn at least $100,000. They have to earn $250,000 to be in the Platinum Club.

I always interview them, Paul. And now that I'm a Rainer I am using AR as a good resource for finding great agents.

If I use AR as a resource, I check for the state and city that I am looking for. It is important to me that they are current bloggers.

Paul,

I take a moment to interview them on the phone, and I ask for references.  I also have a few sources that I trust.  Just because they are on AR or in your franchise, it means nothing.  

I interviewed someone on AR for our Intellectual Property Attorney, and she was recommended to me by someone from NAR leadership.  She was an embarassment to the the profession, she put a sign on the property, then decided to run for office and abandonned the project without telling our friend.  A

Paula McDonald for me more important is - how well I know that agent.

My sphere includes ActiveRain, Brian Buffini coaching members - White Hat Society, KW and connected elsewhere - not necessarily in the same order, though.

KW? Broker? CRS? CRB?

Their designations is what attracts my attention, and then I give them a call for an interview.

Hi Paul

Someone I know or who is known to someone I know/respect

ActiveRain

My company relocation

I check their profile online and call them and interview on the phone.

Good morning Paul. No dog in the hunt here. Just wanted to see the answers.

I check out their blogs and see if they have written anything to let me know how they treat their clients.

Paul - I usually try and refer someone I know. If not, I will use AR and interview a few different agents. If my clients want, I will provide them with a couple different names for them to actually call and interview. After all, they are the one's who will spend all the time working with the agent.

I do not care what franchise they work for, or what designations they have.