We are looking to establish relationships with investors as well as learn and grow with the community.

You've got a good start in terms of your general criteria, but like @Kevin Wood said, you'll want to get a bit more specific and focus on a certain area(s) to get to know what's available / moving in that part of town.I've written more detailed posts about this in the past, but what I'd recommend is searching for brick 3/2/2's and larger in established areas zoned to good schools.

Would like to start dialogue before then to establish relationship and expectations.

The plan is to establish a RE investment business with my brother and to focus on the wholesaling aspect at the beginning and then branch out into rentals and rehabs, although nothing goes quite as planned.  

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. 

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.

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.