Should You Become a Managing Broker?
5 Key Questions to Ask Yourself
Stepping into the role of a Managing Broker in Indiana is a major career move that comes with increased responsibility, leadership potential, and income opportunity. But how do you know if you're ready to make that leap?
Before you register for your Managing Broker pre-licensing course or sit for the exam, take a moment to reflect on these five essential questions. Your answers will help determine whether the Managing Broker path is the right next step in your real estate career.
1. 🧠 Do You Have a Strong Foundation in Real Estate
To lead, you need experience—and that comes from a solid foundation built as a licensed broker.
If you’re just getting started, check out our Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Your Real Estate License in Indiana to begin your journey. Before considering a leadership role, it’s essential to understand what to expect from the very beginning, including what you'll learn in a Pre-Licensing Course at REAL University and how it compares to Post-Licensing requirements.
Once you’ve gained hands-on experience with clients, contracts, and closings, you’ll be in a better position to lead other agents through the same challenges.
2. 🤝 Are You Ready to Mentor and Lead Other Agents?
Being a Managing Broker isn’t just about managing paperwork—it’s about managing people.
You’ll be responsible for recruiting, training, supervising, and retaining agents under your license. If you enjoy supporting others and want to play a larger role in their success, becoming a Managing Broker could be a fulfilling path.
If you’re still unsure whether leadership fits your long-term vision, check out From Licensing to Leadership: Your Real Estate Career Path in Indiana for a roadmap of how your career can evolve beyond sales.
3. 📚 Are You Prepared to Study for the Managing Broker Exam?
Before you can take on this new role, you’ll need to pass the Indiana Managing Broker exam—which requires additional pre-licensing education.
Even if you’re already licensed, the Managing Broker exam requires new content mastery. Review our Tips for Passing the Indiana Broker Exam, which focuses on the pre-licensing broker exam and includes study techniques, course prep tips, and exam-day strategies.
And if you’re just now realizing how important a strong start is, don’t miss 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Real Estate School—many of those insights still apply as you level up.
4. ⚖️ Can You Balance Administrative Work with Sales Goals?
Many agents step into the Managing Broker role expecting a higher income—but don’t realize that this promotion comes with less time spent on personal transactions and more time spent managing the office.
As a Managing Broker, your day may involve:
Reviewing contracts
Resolving agent disputes
Managing compliance and legal risks
Overseeing marketing and recruiting efforts
This might be a perfect fit for agents who want to step back from day-to-day sales and instead focus on leadership. If your passion lies in developing others and building a brokerage brand, this could be your ideal career shift.
If you’re still figuring out whether real estate is the right long-term career, read Is Real Estate Right for You? 7 Signs You’re Ready for a Career Change to confirm your path.
5. 🏗️ Are You Ready to Take on the Responsibility of Brokerage Compliance?
One of the most important legal roles of a Managing Broker is maintaining compliance with Indiana real estate laws and regulations. This includes keeping agents up-to-date with their CE, supervising transactions, and ensuring the brokerage meets state licensing requirements.
If you’re someone who’s detail-oriented, organized, and committed to protecting the business and your team, this responsibility will feel like second nature.
If you’ve recently completed your licensing requirements, check out What to Expect After You Get Your Real Estate License in Indiana to understand what it’s like once you're active in the field—because this real-world experience lays the foundation for success as a Managing Broker.
Conclusion: Should You Take the Leap? 🚀
Becoming a Managing Broker in Indiana isn’t just about having the qualifications—it’s about being ready to lead with confidence and inspire a new generation of agents. If you’ve answered "yes" to most of the questions above, it might be time to start preparing for your transition into leadership.
At REAL University, we’re here to guide you from your first real estate class to your Managing Broker exam and beyond. Whether you’re still evaluating your options or ready to enroll, we’re here to help every step of the way.
