If you are considering working with them, I strongly advise you to double-check the provided rates and terms carefully.During my loan process, I discovered that they had added a yield spread interest without informing me. 

Any surprises in terms/fees?

Some will offer a HELOC even if they originated your first mortgage. thank you for taking the time to respond, I will look with some credit unions That's a good call.

My short-term goal is to secure my first single-family and rental property, while my long-term vision is to build a thriving real estate portfolio that generates wealth and financial freedom.I’m currently learning the ins and outs of financing, deal analysis, and market selection.

Some of the original framing remained but that was it.

I know we can start with DSCR and refinance, but then you're paying closing/origination costs twice.

For financing, shop around with local banks, credit unions, and mortgage brokers to secure favorable terms.

Does it make a difference for privacy (in terms of public records, so disregarding lawsuits)?

A wrinkle in this story, in terms of what is owed, would of course be if you re-rented the property on the 17th, but I would suspect that's not the case. 

I compared other properties in terms of age, sq ft, acres, beds, baths, basement, garage and a subjective measure of interior condition.I have a huge problem with the automated comps (Zillow, RPR, etc) because they could not account for the interior condition.