Just passed my state exam for RE in Indiana...now what?

[Maria Rigdon]

I recently passed my state exam to practice real estate in Indiana and only seem to be getting interview calls from the big companies.  I was really trying to stay small and work more individually with a smaller firm since I still feel like a small fish in a big pond.  Is there any advice on how to do this?

[Bill Gulley]

Welcome to BP!

My advice is find a large brokerage that can afford to have a good training program for new agents, smaller ones usually don't hire trainers specific for training, they usually have agents who also try to do business and they often partner up having you split commissions.

Split commission deals are common for new agents, just don't use your relatives and friends, sandbag those deals if you have them.

Congrats on passing the exam, now you need training in reality!

After that training, maybe doing a couple deals, you can move to a smaller office, you may not want to after the scare rubs off. You want the brokerage that can offer you the most support, has good advertising and name recognition in your area, that may not be with a small firm.

Large firms are less likely to let you run off and do whatever on your own (the way it should be until you get some experience) smaller firms might be more forgiving, but some old broker with 2005 thinking toward investing might get you canned too.

So, initially, a larger firm will usually have more support, more training, a ad department, legal eagles sitting there and better organized, the broker split (they get more) may be more but a couple deals for the benefits is worth it, IMO.  After you get your feet wet, then decide what to do. Good luck :)