We are looking for whatever investment opportunities there are out there to boost our company to the next level.We currently have an opportunity (real estate/rehab) in hand with an established contract with the seller that we are seeking lending options for. 

., one that I believe exceeded my costs to cure by at least 50% and, preferably, 100%) and a relatively short fuse for the seller to cure has worked every time (so far).  

She may want to get out of the maintenance and upkeep, a common issue for the elderly.You also haven't mentioned where the other $50K is coming from, if you expect to get a loan with the down payment borrowed, you'll have a problem without experience and other assets.Paying back an investor usually comes from the future sale of a property or refinancing it as equity  is established with appreciation.

Yep, meaning the new buyer owner is responsible for those tasks.As a seller, I like RE contracts because if they default, I only have to give them 90 days to cure through a Notice of Intent to Forfeit.  

The bank is going to pull your credit every time you apply for a loan unless you have established a relationship with someone at the bank and do business with them on a regular basis. on another note though having you credit pulled multible time within a 2 week period for "like" (IE. for a house or a car but all for the same thing) items will not hurt you credit other than the initial hit.

Once you have established your base, you can expand by taking that 50 (or 100) and start buying  SFR....either number.

Personally, I do not see the point, if you buy the property in your name, and then note is in your name, when you transfer to a LLC in your name you have already established enough of a ownership trail that any attorney suing the LLC will be able to show the connection therefor negating any "liability protection" you thought that you had.  

We want to meet with them just to establish a relationship prior to buying our first building. 

Like buying a dunkin donuts after its already been established with all the employees and vendors.

When I asked my PM, he said we couldn't establish a deposit until the lease expired.