Ask HN: How to find a remote developer

I've finally decided that I can not, in fact, do everything. Because of this I'm looking at hiring a remote developer to maintain some projects of mine. These vary from products that are being used by customers to tools I rely on for my own productivity that I want to continue adding features to.

My problem is I've never hired a freelancer before, and don't know what to look for or where a respectable place to find them is. I've hired writers and artists before but it seems easier to be able to see someones artwork or read their print then to find a good developer.

Where would you start looking for a freelancer developer? I am hoping to rely on geo-arbitration and find a developer who will cost less than hiring someone in the Bay (these projects do not warrant a large budget).