Best thing to do is think about what you want, what your short term (5 year) and longer term goals are. 

After spending 25 years as a Software Engineering and Product leader, I’m now exploring the world of real estate investing (REI) and looking forward to learning from all of you.My goal is to leverage my current investments and savings to build a real estate portfolio that will eventually allow me to transition away from my current career.

Our main goal is to ensure we’re properly protected.Additionally, should we allow pets in our STR?

It is a lofty goal with no easy path to accomplishment, but what you describe seems unlikely to accomplish the goal.Note most people on this site are RE investors.  

What are your goals for 2025?

Stop reading if you want.2) I couldn’t guess what “There is a 6 months of grace period before interest payment begins” means.3) They call their $3555 charge a “Loan Fee,” stated a few lines up as 2%. 2% of $235,000 (loan amount) is $4470.4) Do you seriously believe the loan fee, “… IS 100% REFUNDABLE IF THERE IS ANY DEFAULT FROM THEPART OF THE LENDER OR IF THE BORROWER CHOOSES TO TERMINATE THE LOAN.”5) It’s okay to pay an appraiser directly.

My goal of refinancing was simply lowering our monthly spending to reallocate towards future investments.

If you choose not to owner occupy you'll need to put more money down (like 25% vs 3.5%), so just keep that in mind. 

That actually is not the goal of most people.

How I handle them is typically not well because I am not as swift as I should be - this is when having a PM is so valuable.Whats your goals/vision for 2025 Fed?