It's always good to keep those options open in case things dry up. 

You cannot easily transfer them into an LLC without triggering the lender's due on sale clause, though I read recently that may be changing. 

Once you build your confidence in knowing the FMV, Market Rents and Rehab Costs you’re ready to pull the trigger.

I've been doing tons of research but I'm afraid to pull the trigger on anything since I don't have a lot of connections yet...

Quick to negotiate and pull trigger!

Before the inks dry the sell the paper to fannie and freddie.  

The catch is inexperienced investors are slow to pull the trigger and so agents can get frustrated working and never seeing a commission.I purchased my first rental property with little to no experience, used 30K between down payment, closing costs, and traveling to the property to see it.

If you check those things and the numbers are still in line I would pull the trigger.

I need a hard loan or a partner the guy i was working with keeps backing out of deals, i think he's afraid to pull the trigger.

If you invest in the stock market and then find a real estate deal to invest in, prior to selling the brownstone, then pulling the money out in less than a year would trigger short term capital gains/losses.- Have you considered a DAF (donor advised fund).