How do you pick an agent for a Referral?

We are fortunate to be networking on Active Rain. I can now refer an agent in any part of the country with confidence that the agent will do a good job.

In the past I used to look up a referral directory and look for an office in the town and look for the name of an agent with designations . Now I can do more than that. I can read some of the blogs and get to understand the agent. I already have a network of associates in many parts. I try to read posts by as many agents as possible and comment on the posts. If an agent is just posting listings it does not help. The agent may be number one in points in the region on Active rain, but I might prefer someone with less points , whose posts show they care about the client. I would like to know that the  agent feels that the client is number one, that the agent returns phone calls.

If I am sending a buyer referral and see only listings , how am I to know that the agent enjoys working with buyers?

I like to see localism posts about the community . It shows the agent knows the area well. It gives me an idea of the market area the agent services.

I like to refer to agents with designations . It shows that they have invested in the profession. When I refer an agent, points are important but I may pick number three or four and not number one or two . It depends on the type of posts .