Dear Ms. Lank: My husband and I have had our home For Sale By Owner for a few months, and we listed it on sites like Craig's List, owners.com and fsboa.com. We have now decided to enlist the help of a broker. I recall seeing a column regarding how to find an agent who would meet our needs but did not read it at the time, as it did not apply.

While we had the home for sale, agents came to our open houses and made follow-up phone calls and emails (borderline harassment) hoping to list the home. Our thought is that productive salespeople are too busy selling homes and do not have time to use this method of obtaining leads. How do we find the top-selling agents? -- J. and F.C.

Answer: Don't underestimate those Realtors who called while you were marketing on your own. Those are agents interested in your particular neighborhood, which is always a plus. They're salespeople with initiative. Ignore the ones you felt were harassing, of course. But if any seemed helpful, offered advice, for example, call now and invite them over.

Spend an afternoon visiting open houses in your own neighborhood. Take a good look at the agents handling those properties. You're searching for someone who seems interested in your particular situation and who has useful suggestions. And while you're there, you can take note of how your competition is priced.

If that doesn't turn up anyone you want, call three firms that are active in your neighborhood (look at lawn signs) and ask each to send someone over. Even if you like the first one who arrives, let them all make their standard listing presentations. You'll learn a lot.

There's no one right answer to whether you'll be better served by a man or a woman, national franchise or small local brokerage, experienced agent with lots of listings or an eager hard-working newcomer. Just try to find the right fit for the way you like to do business, someone you can feel confidence in during this stressful time.

Lost The Column

Hello Mrs. Lank: Back in your November 3, 2007 column you wrote about listing an outhouse as one quarter of a bath. I've search online for what you wrote in that column, but can't find it. Would you be able to direct me to a site or e-mail me that text? We have an outhouse at our cottage and have a collection of outhouse materials for people to read while they're visiting the outhouse! -- V.Y.

Answer: Are you saying you want to add my column to your outhouse library? I am honored.

I'm impressed that you remember the exact publication date. The little item you're asking about came at the end of a weeks-long discussion about just what was meant by a half-bath, three-quarters bath and the like. The letter read: Continued...