I am located in the DFW region so I can't directly list his property into the MLS down there unless I join, but I was wondering if there were other sources that work best to list this type of property for sale vs MLS. 

I’ve lived and invested in Pinellas x 20+ years and can offer local knowledge for sourcing if needed-happy to help.

Almost every supplier, vendor and lender who has any business savvy will not give credit solely to an LLC without requesting a Personal Guarantee, meaning if the LLC does not pay their bills then the LLC member(s) who signed the Personal Guarantee are liable, meaning if the LLC doesn't pay their bills those members' personal homes, bank accounts, etc. are at the exact same risk as people who don't have an LLC. 4.

I have been receiving conflicting information/advice from several sources regarding the necessity of creating an LLC before/during/after purchasing my first investment property.

I think the #1 thing you need to do to make yourself invaluable to investors is to source them good quality deals.

Make sure you trust your property source here in Memphis.

If you are doing a rate and term refinance and are the sole owner of the LLC, you can refinance the loan into a conventional fixed mortgage under your name.

@Jin Kwon when you say "owned outright," do you mean no financing - owned free and clear, just and solely by you personally? 

I'm an investor as a another source of income. 

I can try if I can find a source to finance the entire project, including the fund to purchase the corner as well. the problem here is the discussion with the city will be very preliminary, as it is the best I can do without having the actual ownerships of all properties involved.