Does anyone have a good experience with a brokerage in Houston? 

I read about investors getting their realtors license and hanging their proverbial hat under a brokerage that may charge a yearly fee etc.

The law's on BPO's vary by state and some only allow a broker/agent to do them in the chance of getting a listing versus actual payment.Also the broker/agent unless a principal owner should review their IC ( independent contractor) agreement with the brokerage.

Does it matter if it's a brokerage in the same city?

This can potentially disrupt traditional brokerage who insist a certain fixed fee.  

If a buyer wants to remain a mystery they go BYE,BYE.If they cannot give me the courtesy upfront to show they are real then we do not proceed any further.I have had some people make a big deal about it that were worth 1 million meanwhile I have had others worth close to 100 million give me the PFS right away.PFS and bank statements a broker/agent will generally take you more seriously when they know you have the money.

I appreciate the advice to interview as many brokerages as I can and then make a decision.

Meaning the broker/agent should tightly define their ideal client and discard or refer off the rest.The buyer should define what they want the broker/agent to do and give that upfront so that the broker/agent accepts the terms going in.The problem becomes when both the broker/agent and the buyer both think they can mold the other person into who they want them to be.These days on commercial I rarely touch anything under 2 million in price.

Did it also give you access to write your own offers from the brokerage office and credit them as the representative? 

My brokerage also offers amazing training at the brokerage level, as do many others, but I am thoroughly shocked at the amount of training and coursework offered through my local association, ORRA, to all REALTORS of all member brokerages.