How to Choose a First-Time Buyer Realtor in Indianapolis

Choose the agent who explains the process before you tour a home, puts their terms in writing, and lets you set the pace. Look for someone licensed in Indiana who works with first-time buyers regularly, answers in plain words, and is comfortable with you comparing lenders and other agents. Below is how I would check each one.

I am Ian DeFelice, a licensed Indiana real estate agent with Roots Realty Co. at @properties in Indianapolis, and first-time buyers are my focus. So I am not a neutral voice. That is why this guide is built around questions you can put to any agent, me included.

What does a first-time buyer realtor actually do?

Once you and an agent agree to work together, they can help you find homes, tour them with you, write and negotiate offers, and keep the deal moving through inspection and closing. Exactly what an agent does for you, and whose interests they represent, depends on the agreement you sign and Indiana law. They do not set your rate or approve your loan. That is the lender's job, and it helps to keep the two roles separate in your head.

"First-time buyer realtor" is a search phrase, not a separate state license or credential. It describes an agent whose regular work includes explaining things most people only do once: what pre-approval means, what an inspection can and cannot tell you, what happens between an accepted offer and closing. You are looking for someone who will explain the process first and, if you sign an agreement, represent you.

"REALTOR®" is a membership designation for members of the National Association of REALTORS®, who agree to follow its Code of Ethics. It is not a state license. An agent can be licensed without being a member, so ask whether the agent is a REALTOR® and what that means for how they work.

How do I check that an agent is licensed and who they work for?

Start with the state's license lookup at mylicense.in.gov. Search the agent's name and confirm the license is active. Then ask the agent to name their brokerage, and check that the same name appears on any agreement you are asked to sign. The lookup is an official record, and it is the one check on this list that does not depend on what the agent tells you.

My own details are easy to check. I work with Roots Realty Co. at @properties, and you can see my @properties agent profile and look me up on the same state lookup.

What should I ask before I sign anything?

Interview an agent the way you would interview a contractor, and do it before you tour homes or ask for services. These are the questions I would ask in your seat, and what the answers tell you.

What does the written buyer agreement have to say?

Under Indiana Code § 25-34.1-12-2, buyer agency agreements must be in writing, on paper or electronically, and show a definite expiration date. A copy must go to the buyer within three business days of signing. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency explains the requirement.

Separately, NAR's practice changes, effective August 17, 2024, are association policy for MLS participants in MLSs that adopted them. They are not state or federal law. Under that policy, an MLS participant who is working with a buyer needs a written agreement with that buyer before touring a home, in person or on a live virtual tour, unless state law requires one earlier. NAR says this does not apply to an agent who hosts an open house or lets you in on behalf of the seller only. The policy also requires the agreement to state compensation as an amount, rate or method that can be determined, not open-ended like "whatever the seller is offering," and to say conspicuously that commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable. See NAR's written buyer agreements guide and settlement FAQ. The kind of relationship, the services, the length and the pay come from the agreement you and the agent actually sign, within the law. Ask the agent which rules apply to them and their MLS.

Ask to see the agreement and talk through its terms before you tour homes or ask for services, not in the driveway. Look at four things: which services are included, how much the agent is paid and by whom, the date it ends, and how it can end early. If any of that is unclear, ask for it in plain words. A good agent will not mind the question. If you have questions about what a contract means for you, ask a real estate attorney. I cannot give you legal advice in an article.

What does working with me look like?

I call it the Homeownership Blueprint. It is five steps in order, and the search is the last one.

1. Readiness assessment. A two-minute self-check on personal readiness, financial readiness, mortgage knowledge, local market insight, and how well you understand the process. It is educational. It is not a credit decision, a pre-qualification, or a loan approval. It shows you what to work on first.
2. Initial consultation. Coffee, not a sales meeting. We talk through your why, what feels scary, and what pace fits your life, and you leave with a plan.
3. Pre-approval. Choose a licensed mortgage lender and compare your options. If you want an introduction, I can help. Approval and loan terms depend on the lender's review. A comfortable monthly payment is the goal. Separately, the CFPB says getting Loan Estimates from several lenders can help you save money, so it is worth knowing you can shop. I wrote more about the payment in Pre-Approval Is Not a Budget.
4. Needs vs. wants. We sort the non-negotiables from the nice-to-haves before listing alerts start pulling you in every direction. Here is how I sort the list.
5. Finding the home. Search, tours, offers, inspection, and closing, with the plan already underneath us.

This is not the right fit for everyone. If you want to browse on your own and have listings sent to you fast, an agent built for that may suit you better. I am a good fit for renters who want a plan.

What does that look like with real buyers?

Brandon and Rebecca first messaged me on Instagram nearly a year before they bought. They were nervous about overpaying or moving before they were financially ready, so we did not start with showings. We built a plan around their budget, timeline, and goals while they finished their lease. They lost out on one home and stayed patient. When the right one came up, they knew their numbers and could move. Their story is here.

Grant and Katie were referred by a past client. After a buyer consultation, they realized they were already financially ready. What they needed was clarity on what they wanted and confidence in the numbers. When the right home came on the market in March, they submitted an offer before a full weekend of showings could happen. Read Grant and Katie's story.

Different timelines, same first step: a conversation before touring. These are individual client experiences; results and timelines vary.

Should I talk to more than one agent?

Yes. Talk to two or three, and ask each the same questions from the table. Notice who explains without hurrying you, and who asks about your life before they ask about your price range. You will spend months with this person through a stressful stretch, so whether you trust them matters as much as their résumé.

No list makes one agent the right choice for everyone, and I would not trust anyone who says it does.

Where should I start?

If you are still working out whether you are close, the readiness assessment takes about two minutes and gives you a starting point. It is educational, not a credit decision or loan approval. If you would rather talk it through, we can do coffee. You can also read where to start as a first-time buyer in Indianapolis first.

About this article. General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Consult qualified professionals about your circumstances. Loan approval and terms depend on lender review; examples and timelines are not guarantees. Equal Housing Opportunity