Since I am new to this scene this may just be 'the way it is' but I want to make sure. I did a bit of searching but nothing concrete.

I don;t have a fob yet so my lock/unlock functions are happening by the key. Unlock works fine and smooth. To lock however it feels like I have to exert a bit of pressure to get it to turn to lock. Also, when exiting the vehicle the inside drivers door handle seems to need more effort than all others and I have to pull it until the handle stops to unlatch.

Before I remove the drivers interior door panel, is this normal?

 

Welcome Ken, to answer, no it's not, a light pull should be all that's required. There's an alignment bush that could have worn through because of the missing fobs. The bound cable and inner might be binding. Once you have the door card off strip and lube the parts.

To remove the card you need to remove the hidden screw behind a plastic cap in the door pull escutcheon. The second screw is under the armrest it's a long one.
Once these are out there's a series of plastic clips that go into receivers around the inner door panel, a plastic trim removal tool is best to pry these.

A sharp tug towards you should release the final clip in the right of centre of the door panel, if the white clip comes with the card, make sure to put it back in the inner door panel before refit.

Then disconnect the wiring to the switchpack by push clip, speaker and puddle light, then put the card to one side.
Carefully peel the sound mat and weather strip away to reveal the door pull mech.

Hope that helps.

 

Yep that sounds pretty standard, I will take the panel off tonight after I fix my gauge lights. Everything could probably use a good cleaning as well.

I knew a couple trim clips are broken on the door panel as well since it pulls away a bit perhaps the PO tried to "fix" this issue before.

Thanks.