Selling my home - Is it just a matter of trust?

[Jim Vinh]

I am ready to sell my house to get ready to retire. I don't know any listing agent personally. My question is: in the current seller market, is there a way for the owner to oversee the selling agent so that they don't just show their friend's offer as the highest offer (and throwing away higher offers from other buyers). Is this simply a matter of having to trust your listing agent (whom you don't really know)? Close to where I live, there are homes selling for several hundred thousands over asking price. Did those home owners just totally depend on their listing agents to bring in the highest (or most qualified) offers? Thanks in advance for all comments.