[I am not affiliated with YouTube nor do I own it, although I wish I did]

(no affiliation) The more connections you make, the better.

I've applied for a loan through Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union and have been receiving emails from this affiliate.

They've got at least two Chicago affiliates and their network is free to join and there's lots of free education on the site, plus they have two different free podcasts and free counselors who are seasoned investors.

I was strongly leaning towards a DC Keller Williams brokerage I know of due to the strong training and positive feedback I got from a friend who just affiliated with them, but would like other suggestions before I commit.

For example, LendingHome.com (no affiliation) has 9-11% fixed rates with just 2.5 origination points for investors like you.

The point here has absolutely nothing to do with brokerage affiliation.

I am not affiliated, I have only attended.  

I agree with the above advice and would add that people want to be affiliated with experts.

The only exception I can think of is that NAR members agree to go to arbitration instead of suing each other.In my part of MA, our local NAR / MAR affiliate is "Plymouth & South Shore Association of Realtors".