Choosing a real estate brokerage can have a significant impact on your income, your business, and your quality of life. Whether you’re comparing commission splits, brokerage fees, technology, training, broker support or simply wondering whether it’s time for a change, we’ve answered some of the most common questions Indianapolis real estate agents ask when evaluating their brokerage options.
United Real Estate Indianapolis is a 100% commission real estate brokerage serving agents throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Our goal is simple: give Agents the tools, training, technology and broker support they need to grow their businesses while allowing them to keep more of the commission they earn.
Start with the things that have the greatest impact on your business: compensation, total brokerage fees, broker accessibility, training, technology, marketing support, culture, and the freedom to build your own brand.
Don’t compare brokerages based solely on their advertised commission split. Ask what you will actually pay over the course of a year, including commission splits, caps, monthly fees, transaction fees, franchise fees, technology fees, E&O fees and other charges.
Just as importantly, consider what you receive in return. The best brokerage for you should help you become more profitable, productive and confident—not simply provide a place to hang your license.
There isn’t one brokerage that’s best for every Indianapolis real estate agent. Experienced agents should consider how much of their commission they are giving their brokerage and what they receive in return.
Agents who already generate much of their own business may benefit significantly from a 100% commission model because they can keep more of the income their business produces.
United Real Estate Indianapolis was designed to combine the economics and independence experienced agents want with local broker support, training, technology, and marketing resources.
It may be time to evaluate other brokerages if you’re questioning the value you’re receiving for the money you’re paying your current company.
Common reasons agents consider making a change include high commission splits, rising fees, lack of broker support, inadequate technology, limited training, poor culture or simply realizing that their current brokerage no longer fits the business they have built.
You don’t have to be unhappy with your brokerage to explore your options. Sometimes your business has simply outgrown your current compensation model.
Ask for the complete compensation and fee structure in writing. Find out about commission splits, caps, transaction fees, monthly fees, technology fees, E&O expenses, and any other required costs.
Then ask about the things that affect your day-to-day business: Who answers contract questions? How accessible are the managing brokers? What technology is included? What training is available? Can you build your own brand? Who owns your leads and database? What happens if you eventually leave?
A brokerage should be able to answer these questions clearly.
Both can have advantages. A national brokerage can offer brand recognition, large-scale technology, training and resources. A local independent brokerage may offer local decision-making and personal relationships.
United Real Estate Indianapolis combines the two: the technology, resources and national network of United Real Estate with a locally owned and operated Indianapolis brokerage and accessible local leadership.
A 100% commission brokerage allows agents to keep 100% of their gross commission rather than giving the brokerage a percentage of every commission check.
Instead of a traditional commission split, agents generally pay defined brokerage and/or transaction fees.
The important question isn’t simply whether a brokerage advertises “100% commission.” Agents should compare the complete annual cost of belonging to each brokerage.
Yes. Indianapolis real estate agents have several compensation models available, including traditional commission splits, capped models, and 100% commission brokerages.
United Real Estate Indianapolis operates on a 100% commission model designed to allow agents to keep more of the commission income they generate while still having access to brokerage support, technology, marketing resources, and training.
United Real Estate Indianapolis operates on a 100% commission model. Instead of giving the brokerage a percentage of every commission, agents pay defined fees associated with their affiliation and transactions.
This can be particularly valuable for productive agents because their brokerage expense does not automatically increase simply because their sales volume and commission income increase.
“100% commission” generally means the brokerage does not retain a percentage commission split from each transaction. It does not mean operating your real estate business is free.
Brokerages may charge monthly, transaction, technology, E&O or other fees. That’s why agents should request a complete fee schedule rather than comparing companies based solely on the phrase “100% commission.”
At United Real Estate Indianapolis, we believe agents should understand exactly what their brokerage costs before they join.
The amount varies considerably by brokerage and compensation model.
For example, an agent on a 70/30 split may give the brokerage 30% of commission income until reaching a cap. Other companies use an 80/20 split, graduated split, monthly fee, transaction-fee model, or some combination of these.
The most useful comparison is your total annual brokerage expense rather than any individual fee.
Potential costs can include commission splits, franchise fees, monthly office fees, desk fees, technology fees, E&O insurance, transaction fees, marketing fees, copy fees, lead referral fees and required memberships or services.
Not every brokerage charges all of these.
Before switching brokerages, ask: “Based on my production last year, exactly what would I have paid your brokerage?”
That single question can make brokerage comparisons much easier.
It depends on the agent’s production and current compensation plan.
Consider an agent generating $100,000 in gross commission income. A 20% brokerage split represents $20,000 before considering caps or additional fees. At $150,000 in gross commission income, that same percentage would represent $30,000.
A 100% commission brokerage replaces the percentage split with defined fees, so productive agents can potentially retain substantially more of their commission income.
The right comparison should always use your actual production and the complete fee schedules of both brokerages.
There is no universal number because brokerage fees and the value an agent receives differ.
However, percentage-based commission splits become increasingly expensive as an agent’s commission income grows. That makes it especially worthwhile for established and growing agents to calculate their annual brokerage expense.
Ask yourself: If my production doubles next year, should my brokerage expense double too?
There is no universal number because brokerage fees and the value an agent receives differ.
However, percentage-based commission splits become increasingly expensive as an agent’s commission income grows. That makes it especially worthwhile for established and growing agents to calculate their annual brokerage expense.
Ask yourself: If my production doubles next year, should my brokerage expense double too?
United Real Estate Indianapolis combines a 100% commission compensation model with local broker support, training, marketing resources and technology.
Our philosophy is that agents should be able to build their own businesses, brands and client relationships without sacrificing a percentage of every commission check simply because their businesses become more successful.
Yes. United Real Estate Indianapolis is locally owned and operated while being part of the larger United Real Estate national network. You can reach out any time to speak to Chris, Valerie, Paul or Nicole Scherrer. Yes, United Real Estate Indianapolis is owned and managed by a family. Chris and Paul are brothers and Valerie and Nicole are their wives. Between the four of them, they represent over 75 years of Indianapolis real estate experience.
That gives Indianapolis agents access to national resources and technology while maintaining local brokerage leadership that understands the Central Indiana real estate market.
United Real Estate Indianapolis is located at 1425 E. 86th Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240.
Our agents serve buyers and sellers throughout Indianapolis and communities across Central Indiana.
United agents can conduct business throughout the areas permitted by their Indiana real estate license and applicable MLS memberships.
Our agents work throughout Indianapolis and Central Indiana, including communities such as Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, Westfield, Noblesville, Brownsburg, Avon, Greenwood, Bloomington and surrounding markets across the state.
No. At United Real Estate Indianapolis, you run your own business. We don’t require a minimum commission or dictate what you charge. The agent decides their fees because every client and property is different.
No. At United Real Estate Indianapolis, we want agents to run their businesses without bottlenecks. There’s no waiting on a broker to activate listings or make routine price changes. However, if you need guidance, your brokers are ready and available.
Some do and some don’t, which makes this an important question to ask.
A lower-cost brokerage shouldn’t require you to sacrifice access to knowledgeable brokers when a difficult contract, inspection, appraisal or transaction issue arises.
United Real Estate Indianapolis combines it’s 100% commission model with exceptional personal broker support so agents aren’t left to navigate complicated transactions alone.
Yes. United provides training for experienced agents, including live and recorded educational opportunities, business planning, marketing, lead generation, technology and other business-building topics. The Learning Academy provides 24/4 learning opportunities, while in person training is offered in the office 2-4 times a month.
Yes. United attracts experienced agents because of its compensation model and independence, but agents at different stages of their careers can benefit from the brokerage’s training, technology and support.
Broker accessibility should be one of the most important questions an agent asks before joining any brokerage.
At United Real Estate Indianapolis, local brokerage support is an important part of our model. Our goal is to give agents independence without making them feel like they’re on their own when they need guidance. And agents are not allocated to random management levels before getting to the Broker. They have direct access to THE broker.
Yes. United Real Estate Indianapolis maintains a local Indianapolis office at 1425 E. 86th Street, Suite 200.
Agents can enjoy the flexibility of running a modern real estate business without giving up the benefit of belonging to a local brokerage community.
United’s model is built around agent independence, collaboration and entrepreneurship.
Agents are encouraged to build businesses that reflect their own strengths and brands
while having access to the resources and support of the brokerage. Collaborating with and encouraging each other is what makes our agents strong, because, “a rising tide lifts all boats.”
We believe agents should feel like business owners—not employees of their brokerage.
We keep our business model intentionally lean. That means a small office footprint and a tight staff, supported by smart systems. Instead of high commission splits, we use clear defined fees, which lets agents keep more of what they earn. We make less revenue per agent on purpose and focus on long term relationships and organic growth. It’s the same discipline we encourage for our agents to keep overhead smart and focus on sustainable profit.
United provides agents with an integrated technology platform that includes tools designed to help manage contacts, market properties, generate business and operate more efficiently.
United’s technology resources include agent websites, MLS integration, CRM capabilities, mobile tools, paperless transaction resources and technology support.
Yes. United’s technology platform includes customer relationship management capabilities that help agents organize and communicate with prospects, clients and their sphere.
A CRM is particularly valuable when it becomes part of an agent’s daily business rather than another piece of software they pay for but rarely use.
Yes. United provides agent-branded website capabilities with MLS integration and lead-capture functionality.
That gives agents another way to build their individual brands, attract prospective clients and keep consumers connected to the agent.
One of the most important considerations when choosing a brokerage is whether you are building the brokerage’s database or your own business.
United’s agent-centric philosophy is designed around helping agents develop their own brands, relationships and businesses. And United will never take or use your lead information
Yes. United provides marketing resources designed to help agents promote themselves and their listings.
Resources include agent-branded marketing capabilities, websites, signs and customizable marketing materials, along with additional marketing solutions available through United.
United provides technology and marketing resources designed to help agents generate and convert business, but we don’t believe agents should choose a brokerage based solely on promises of “free leads.”
The strongest long-term real estate businesses develop multiple sources of business, including repeat clients, referrals, sphere relationships, prospecting, digital marketing and lead generation.
Our goal is to help agents build a business they control.
We keep our business model intentionally lean. That means a small office footprint and a tight staff, supported by smart systems. Instead of high commission splits, we use clear defined fees, which lets agents keep more of what they earn. We make less revenue per agent on purpose and focus on long term relationships and organic growth. It’s the same discipline we encourage for our agents to keep overhead smart and focus on sustainable profit.
Changing brokerages is usually much less complicated than agents expect, although the specific process depends on licensing requirements, MLS access, listings, pending transactions and the agreements an agent has with their current brokerage.
United makes the process simple with a robust onboarding process designed to make your transition painless. You may not change brokerages all the time, but we help agents do it almost every week.
The answer depends on your existing independent contractor agreement, brokerage policies and the circumstances of the transactions.
Before making a move, review how your current brokerage handles pending transactions, commissions, listings and client relationships.
This is something you should understand before announcing that you’re leaving.
Most brokers will simply allow you to continue with the transaction and pay you at closing per your contract with them.
Listings generally involve agreements between the seller and the brokerage, so an agent should not assume active listings automatically move with them.
How a particular listing is handled can depend on the listing agreement, brokerage policies and applicable rules.
If you’re considering a move, discuss your active listings and pending transactions confidentially before making the transition.
Most brokerages will release active listings and allow them to go with the agent, but this is not guaranteed.
Yes. Real estate teams considering a brokerage change should evaluate the economics at both the individual-agent and team levels.
United’s model can be particularly interesting for teams because commission splits and brokerage expenses can become significant as a team’s production grows, so keeping broker expenses low helps everyone on the team.
We can model the numbers using your team’s actual production before you make a decision.
A poorly planned transition can create unnecessary disruption, but changing brokerages doesn’t have to mean starting over.
Your relationships with clients, your reputation and the business you’ve built are enormously important assets. A thoughtful transition plan should address your database, marketing, online presence, signs, listings, pending transactions, technology and client communication.
The goal isn’t simply to change brokerages. It’s to make the transition without losing momentum. So onboarding and brokerage assistance with the tasked involved in moving are a necessity.
Agents come to United for different reasons, but many are looking for the same combination: greater control over their income, strong broker support, useful technology, training, marketing resources and the freedom to build their own business.
For productive agents, the economics can be especially compelling. Instead of automatically giving up a percentage of every additional dollar they earn, agents can operate under a 100% commission model with defined brokerage costs.
The easiest way is to compare your current brokerage costs using your actual production.
Look at your last 12 months of gross commission income and total everything you paid your brokerage—including commission splits, franchise fees, monthly fees, technology charges, and transaction fees.
Then compare that number with what the same production would have cost at United Real Estate Indianapolis. (insert link to calculator)
Sometimes the difference is surprising.
Not at all.
You can have a confidential conversation simply to understand your options. We’ll explain our compensation model, fees, technology, training, and support, and answer your questions.
If United isn’t the right fit for your business, that’s okay. But if you’ve never calculated what your current brokerage is actually costing you, it’s worth knowing.
You built the relationships. You earned the clients. You did the work.
Now find out how much of your commission you could keep with United Real Estate Indianapolis.
Schedule a confidential conversation with Valerie or use our commission comparison calculator to see how your current brokerage costs compare to United.
