Many lenders won't allow you to sell or refinance the properties individually if you have these on a blanket mortgage.

Sounds like your PM may have been inexperienced and you should seek someone who might understand the process a little better.

Seek an agent experienced with investors who knows the Philadelphia market.

DISCLOSURETHE FOLLOWING IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY, AS I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, YOU SHOULD SEEK PROFESSIONAL LEGAL ADVICE.So what must you do?  

I've been informed that completing the course alone may not be sufficient to pass the exam, so I’m seeking advice on how to prepare effectively once I complete it.Currently, my only other resources include a YouTube video, five practice exams, and a textbook.If you have any additional suggestions—whether online or in-person, paid or free—that could help me effectively prepare for the exam, I would greatly appreciate them.

I feel it's extremely important that I link with like-minded individuals.

I wouldn't focus singularly on individual city initiatives/projects and would recommend focusing more on fundamentals.

The idea is to convert a multi-family building into condos; but not in the traditional sense where you separate pre-existing apartments into their own condos; but in a way where you combine the common areas of all of the apartments in that whole building, and turn the individual rooms within those apartments into condos themselves; thus transforming the hallways, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, porches, balconies into common areas of the condos. 

I'm currently building up capital for future ventures and properties that I find on market, as well as attempting to find the best brokerage where I can work under an individual who is already more established.

I would recommend that you do your research and seek out the best property manager in your area.