With the proceeds we later purchased two properties the same month, one with FHA loan 5% down and received a closing credit of $8k plus a $2k check made out to us after closing.

That is a common arrangement as well, that can be done after the loan has closed, too. 

The LLC is irrelevant unless you are paying cash or getting a DSCR loan.

Name detection is via loan signatures.

Raising money is all about marketing and sales (not real estate specific) so either hire marketing agency and read sales books, or hop on some LinkedIn courses on marketing and sales.Not sure the legal structure to use: talk to accountants and attorneys.Need deal flow: talk to brokers and go to a lot of networking events.Lending terms: start calling banks and loan brokers.From there, it is all risk mitigation. 

If you are willing to live in urban areas you may want to talk to a local bank in your market and see if they have any incentives or grant loans for certain areas.  

You need income to qualify for loans, you can learn how to manage rentals well (something most landlords never do), you will figure out which communities/properties make the best investments, can earn an above-average paycheck, and may even find some investment properties before they hit the market.

I was told the reserves are a requirement of the REIT loan that we have.

By definition, these type of loans are not the same quality as what is traded on wall street. 

Most people think real estate investing requires huge capital, perfect credit, or bank loans—but that’s not always true.