I go through an agency. I tried through the county, but my county has a reputation for being difficult to work with--based on my experience a well deserved reputation.
I don't know about "easy" placements. I'm don't think that exists. What may be easy for you might be difficult for me, or vice versa. I didn't realize one of my placements was considered "difficult" until one of the other foster parents mentioned it and the social worker agreed! Of course, I'd have been lost with their placement. Which is the benefit of having a placement social worker who really takes the time to get to know us.
But I like that with the one man operation agency I'm with, I can call the placement social worker 24/7. Oh YES!!! it is obsolutely positively important. In fact, when things went bad in once placement, I called and he came within an hour--no, "can you try this", "what if you", "can't it wait", or "no ones available right now" (I live in a different city) and he stayed with us (the child and I) all night long at the hospital. Right now, he picks up my child every day to take him to daycare. Takes time to get to know the children--and the families. More in his case, he's worked group homes and has fostered....and his children of his own.
The pay is currently the state rate, but sometimes its more.
Oh, I don't do the visit thing. He takes my child to visits--I don't know if that's standard or not because on my previous placements visits were not an issue. He also takes him to doctor's appointments and therapy. Though this is probably because they are in yet another city
It works for me.