Just starting to research how to invest w/ SDIRAs. 

Paying this off is the start of learning how to invest and live well.

I'm starting out doing redeemable tax deeds and going to auctions where everybody has "bigger pockets" than I do.

I'm not sure I would label this result "saving money" for your client, and I'm not sure I would brag about it.

The document is pretty explicit with contingencies should anything go sideways along the way though so this helped a lot to keep everyone on task. we've built rapport at this point since we've been in constant communication from when we started but in the beginning, it was a lot of trust in the document.

There are a lot of options out there.Some of the most useful items BiggerPockets members have identified are features that save time so they can spend time working on their next property.

I'm not very intimate with the markets to the north and south, but I would start looking at price to rent ratios and decide what type of rental type and terms you want to invest in.

I started my real estate career in 2014 working in marketing at PPR Note Co. with Dave Van Horn.

Or what are other tips to start gaining traction from the beginning? 

I think your starting point is off - way off.