How to find an agent? Most sellers ask a friend

Thirty-nine percent of home sellers used a referral by friend, neighbor or relative to find their agent, and an additional 22 percent used an agent they had worked with before, according to a new survey by the National Association of Realtors.

The survey also revealed that the typical seller only contacts one agent during the selling process. Sixteen percent of sellers contacted two agents before selling their home and 18 percent contacted three or more agents.

Among recent sellers who used an agent, 85 percent reported they would definitely (69 percent) or probably (16 percent) use that real estate agent again or recommend to others.