It will definitely help you screen tenants. you pay no fees, the potential tenant would be expected to cover all move in cost unless you say otherwise. it always cant hurt to reach out to some brokerages and see what they offer.

My conversations with a BofA broker/agent mentioned that I can NOT use any funds as a down payment if they cannot be verified to have had a 60-day history within a financial institution.

I receive a monthly realtor magazine that has up-to-date stats for my city/state and I also have access to such information through my state's MLS site and brokerage.

all states definitions of real estate brokerage are the same..  

Agent is happy with easy money, bank is happy because you only hold a single role as buyer, brokerage is happy because they still get their cut, you're happy because you close only a couple days late vs. another 30 + fees paid.

I’ve been a lawyer, a title company owner, a real estate brokerage, an investor, a lender, a consultant, a coach.  

Once I have enough time in the profession the next step for me would definitely be to start my own brokerage so I can have my own company.

This is why a lot of Real estate brokerage business is dominated by Women who have spouses that support them in the start up phase..

THere are many ways to get loans, you can try a brokerage, a business consultant that does financing.

I might be missing something entirely but when I think broker, I think brokerage, IE real estate agents, buy/sell agents, etc.