Or connect people with financing options?

If the brokerage fee is owed to them if you buy any property, even without their assistance, then you owe that brokerage the full fee specified in your contract.

I hope to build strong relationships with people near and far.

If you can afford to hang on to it, do some value add and be okay with less than ideal cash flow for the first few years, you should still do fine, but most people want that instant cash flow.

And what rates are people paying? 

It's just lending people EMD.

Does anyone or many people on Bigger Pockets use property management?

I would like to connect with people who are in or near Lafayette, Indiana.

What are the industry standard marketing and design tools people use to create marketing materials and OMs for commercial real estate?

Do not fall on a brokerage that offers or aids you in getting your real estate license or will reimburse you for your RE license because those are just to bait for new agent or to get people to sign up.