If so, is everything still going well and would you recommend?

If so, can anyone recommend any best practices?

Hindsight Critique•Continue to build relationships to increase deal flow•Property manager (Mercer Hughes) is critical to completing renovations and quick tenant placement•Continue to build relationships with private lenders and personal investors•Have cash available to make quick competitive offersDid you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Had a neighbor (retired from Minnesota) who does home construction and real estate stop by to check out the bulldozing to see if he had any recommendations. 

BiggerPockets also has a calculator to analyze deals, and I highly recommend you start this as soon as possible, even if you are not ready to buy.

I recommend that you engage with a real estate accountant to ensure you set everything up properly. 

Do you have recommendations on how to find lenders who are willing to work with first-time investors on rehab projects?

But if seller was in such financial straights to have any risk of doing such, I wouldn't recommend getting into a C4D, there is other mechanisms of potential. namely, assuming the mortgage. 

I recommend keeping your eyes open for medium multifamily properties.

Paying it down faster doesn't change your payment.I recommend you speak with your lender so they can explain this to you.