Since this will be my first deal, I'm looking for any advice and tips on what I should be doing before and after I connect with the seller, to make things go smoothly in case I get a bite! 

Participating in my first city tax auction next week.Any general tips?

@Jonathan BombaciThanks for all the great tips. 

But you never know.To increase both the property value even further and to speed up the sales, we are currently building a two acre pond and will do some large boulder landscaping at the entrances on some of the lots. 

Any tips?

Any tips or advice moving forward?

I do only rental rehabs taking a 1975+ split level 3/2 and just causemetic;  paint, fixtures, flooring, new HVAC, rarely a roof, never windows,  paint the kitchen cabinets with new hardware, clean up baths, just clean up landscaping, fix things beyond replacing all ceiling and plumbing fixtures (except shower valves) and this has grown to $25k is now tight

I do landscaping for a living.

Any tips for getting a mortgage with putting 20-25% down? 

There are several of them. https://certifiedtaxcoach.org/five-tips-to-avoiding-the-tax-hazards-of-renting-to-relatives/#:~:text=Rent%20at%20Fair%20Market%20Value&text=If%20they%20rent%20below%20fair,for%20more%20than%2014%20days.