I think broker fees are only a thing in NYC. So far I've rented in Atlanta and Denver and in both cases you can just contact the property, arrange a rental and sign the paperwork and boom you got the keys.
There was supposed to be a crackdown on the practice in NYC in 2020, but the brokers lobby was too powerful.[0]
One can only hope that such legislation eventually passes -- and has teeth.
[0]: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/27/nyregion/broker-fees-real...