It seems a bit strange to meet with them prior to actually having any work to give them,  and I don't want to waste their and our own time.

Not the best way to sell a deal - seems strange to say that.If you are a buy and hold investor they markets cycles don't make any difference.

I would contact your agents broker and figure out what happened and why, and consider legal actions.One thing I found strange was that when we signed the agreement, there was NO mention of earnest money. 

@Fred Mittel The document fee is strange, but I have seen foreclosures require a larger than normal earnest money deposit if the buyer was paying cash.

This was strange because when I sold my house I got pre-approved through a traditional bank to buy a personal property, I am currently renting and would rather buy investment properties before I buy a home to live in. 

I can see some owners giving the letter a strange look upon its arrival when they see an over seas return address.

I thought it strange there was no communication thread. 

He said that nothing, no HELOC application, was even entered into the system which was rather strange.

To @Bill Gulley and @Brent Coombs and anyone else that wants to provide input I would like to know what laws make it ok for Real Estate Brokers to wholesale property.1) They do not have a listing agreement with the property owner.2) They do not have any other understanding with the owner to sell their property.3) They do not own the property.4) They have a purchase contract on the property just like every one else.So your contention that the Brokers contract is a good contract and they can wholesale it and everyone else's contract is a sham contract and selling it is against the law just seems strange. 

Strange.