You're absolutely right, and yes there is a benefit of going with a lender who offers both the Hard Money Loan and the refinance exit - Many lenders who offer this combo will often times wave the pts attributed with the second closing when you refinance into permanent financing.

If there is one thing that would make you stand out..

It is a huge market, but still room to stand out and cash flow if you are willing to run it like a business. 

One thing that has helped us stand out and back higher rents (besides limited supply in our immediate area) is using quality photos in our listings.

You may also need to give your property some bang to stand out fron the competition.

Overall, the deal took 7 months to complete, 2 more than planned, 1 of which can be attributed to me for balking at paying $800.00 in staging costs (live and learn I guess), and one of which was outside anyone's control, and the bane of most rehabbers, the weather.

The house is unique and with the modification done ( interior) to it makes it stand out from other houses in the area.  

I would like to take what will be approximately 1/2 of the sale profits (those attributed to the rental home) and do a 1031 exchange with a new home that I will then rent out.I hope to then rent a place of my own in another town.Would this be alright?  

What is it that's going to make your property stand out amongst the competition?

You absolutely need to stand out in this market.