There are a ton of ways to market and you should incorporate multiple strategies.

I am concerned with whether we should incorporate (LLC I'm assuming) prior to acquiring the property, transfer the property to an LLC after acquisition, or simply not establish an LLC yet.

We only have one partnership agreement for the state of our primary LLC incorporation (Utah).

Daniel,Your friend should check the local laws in the state in which you want to incorporate given you are not an American citizen.

How about paying $300 a year for all of my business entities, whether incorporated in MD or not?

2) How should we incorporate?

Also, would it behoove me to keep my job for the time being to be able to claim the income.A combination of #1, #2 and #3, (spitballing here) incorporate as a RE investment business where I flip 2 houses, use that income to purchase a BRRR , repeat a few times, then proceed to #3 where I can now claim the flipping proceeds as income when qualifying for a commercial loan.

Take something you are familiar with, incorporate the essentials and safeguards necessary to protect yourself and always have a rider to provide for issues that arise.  

@Rainiel De La Nuez I have experience doing JV's and using SPV's in corporate asset transactions and contracts.

If two investors (debt and/or equity) come together and form an LLC which is used to purchase mortgages, that join will be governed by the Articles of Incorporation and Operating Agreement of the entity.