Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Indiana: Your Guide to Beginning a Successful Career
Do you want to become a successful real estate agent in Indiana? Many people are interested in the competitive salaries and excellent work/life balance that often come with a profession in real estate. However, building a strong career takes time. There are several specific steps you need to take in order to start living your dream as a real estate agent in Indiana. This is our definitive guide for where to begin.
What You Need To Get Started
There is a legally defined process that all prospective real estate agents must follow in order to start legally brokering real estate in Indiana. This all starts with getting your Real Estate Broker License. In order to successfully apply for this license, you will need:
- To be at least 18 years old
- Either a high school diploma or a GED
- 90 hours of real estate education
- To successfully pass the Indiana Broker Real Estate Exam
- An active sponsor broker
Specifically, the education and exam requirements are two of the most vital elements on this list. They are also the most challenging to complete. You will need to find a reputable provider who is also accredited with the state in order for your hours in classes to count towards this requirement.
Pass The Examination
There are many approved providers in Indiana that you could choose from for your 90 hours of training. The best learning platforms provide you with flexibility so that you can learn in the method that works best for you. At Indiana Real Estate Institute, we provide online, virtual, and in-person classes, enabling you to pick your preferred format. Furthermore, the state-mandated real estate broker exam is long and difficult to complete. Over the course of 4 hours, you will need to answer over 130 questions on various topics related to both national and state-wide real estate topics. Only about 30% of students pass the exam on their first attempt.
This is why it is vital that you take high-quality, engaging classes that provide you with the information you need and prepare you to succeed. Here at Indiana Real Estate Institute, our classes aren’t boring presentations with long, droning lectures. Instead, our classes consist of live sessions and recordings of live sessions that feature dynamic speakers and professionals who are skilled at explaining the complexities of the real estate industry. At the end of this 90-hour class, you will also need to take the Indiana Broker Pre-Licensing exam to certify that you are prepared to take the state-mandated Real Estate Broker Exam.
Once you are ready, you can register for the exam and take it. You will need a score of 75% or higher in order to pass. You can now take the exam online or in person and will have your score reported to you immediately after the exam is complete.
Apply For Your License
After you have passed your exam, you will then need to find a broker with a good reputation, who will agree to sponsor you for your application. Once you have your sponsor, you will be ready to make your official application for your license. There is a fee of approximately $60 you will need to pay in order to have your information processed and your license approved. Once your license application is approved, you will receive your license. You can then activate it and begin your career as a professional real estate agent.
What Do Successful Indiana Real Estate Agents Do?
Once you have your license, you will then need to take on the work of building your career and reputation as a hard-working professional in the community. You will need to pay close attention to your inbox and your phone as communication is key. Prospective clients will have many questions about various property issues and you will need to be prompt in answering them. Much of a real estate agent’s job is spent writing emails and talking to people on the phone as you meet the needs of current clients and generate leads for new ones.
Successful real estate agents also have a strong online presence complete with website and social media accounts to present themselves and their business in the best way possible. You can use these mediums to generate more traffic to your business and increase your revenue. It is important to answer questions and help people where you can. However, be wary of offering too much for free. As with the legal profession, specific advice should only be given to clients.
Why Finding A Mentor Matters
Most successful real estate agents were able to build their careers thanks to the help of mentors. Sometimes, you just need someone to bounce ideas off. Other times, you may have difficulty finding answers to questions that a more experienced real estate agent would know. Be sure to connect with someone who you feel comfortable communicating with. An informal advisor like this can also provide you with a template for how you can overcome the challenges you are facing as your build your business. Finding a mentor can be one of the most important elements of building a successful career in the real estate industry.
Focus On Building Your Network
Having new leads to work with and convert into clients is the bread and butter of a real estate agent’s work. In order to have this constant lead generation, you need to focus on building your network. This is why many agents regularly attend networking events. Here, you can meet professionals in the industry who can help you and who you can help. Building and strengthening these connections is vital to your future career success.
Keep Learning
One of the most important things you can do as a real estate professional is never stop learning. The industry is highly dynamic and is changing constantly. Continuing education is not only a legal requirement but can also be vital for your career development. At Indiana Real Estate Institute, we provide engaging continuing education classes to support you throughout your career. Contact us today to learn more.
