I know there are many factors to this question so please leave your input on what you feel keeps you happy at your brokerage (commission split, atmosphere, etc).

Not displace it, exhaust it in to the atmosphere. 

Find a place that fits the atmosphere you are after and schedule it up.

Therefore I'd like to stay closer to the Fairfax County and surrounding areas.I'm still very unfamiliar with the atmospherics of my local market, as most of my REI is focused on my hometown market of Kansas City, MO (where my business partner still lives) for various reasons.

This is a great community of knowledge and I appreciate everyone's efforts to create such an atmosphere.

I also mention to tenants (in passing conversation) how much it hurts them to use certain firms that are known for setting up somewhat frivolous lawsuits for CRLTO stuff - when I see those firms names as representing an applicant in a previous suit, no way am I renting to them.Unfortunately, with the legal atmosphere here in Chicago, these shady firms/attorneys regularly mail out and advertise to tenants just fishing for someone who might be swayed by their offer of a $5k payday due to their landlord's failure to abide 100% by the CRLTO or in the hopes that they can milk a settlement because the landlord cannot afford to defend themselves.Good news for you is that this attorney has no reputation, so if you pair up with a solid and well know landlord's attorney, they'll likely be clobbered in court, assuming they've actually filed suit.

Austin is one of the best markets right now because millennials are attracted to the atmosphere and that won't slow anytime soon IMO.

It think the current atmosphere in Holyoke makes it ripe with potential for investment.  

I like the atmosphere of our club the most; it's not too small or too big, just right as Baby Bear would say.

If you want a more collegiate atmosphere I suggest joining the multi-unit/apartment association in Canada.