If I buy the materials I can comparison shop the labor on price/skill.

Your time here will be well spent.Your profile is empty and there is no mention of a specific REI area of interest, so, I added the below links from three of the most popular niches for your selection of one or all.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/01/31/ultimate-beginners-guide-real-estate-wholesaling-2/ (Ultimate beginners guide to wholesaling)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/01/07/flipping-houses/ (step by step guide to flips) http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/02/22/buying-rental-property/ (how to buy a rental property)Now that you have made the move, below are some links that will help with the navigation of the site. http://www.biggerpockets.com/startherehttp://www.biggerpockets.com/meethttps://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsHow to Use @Mentions on BiggerPocketshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/ruleshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/termshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/inviteshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/perkshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/categorieshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/courses/a-beginners-introduction-to-real-estate-investing (video courses)https://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investing (Ultimate beginner's guide to REI)Before your 1st purchase, please ensure you visit the below link for some tips.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/12/19/real-estate-investing-success-smart-tips/REI books suggested by BPershttps://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/11/13/7-real-estate-books-beginner-investors/(7 absolute must read books for beginner REIs)http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2013/04/14/best-real-estate-books/?

They are a broker and will shop all insurance. 

When financing a purchase for 'buy and hold' SFR what interest rate should I be looking for when shopping for financing options?

I would recommend staying away from the one-stop shop (rehabbers / property mangers) as they are usually more interested in selling homes than managing them. 

Ask them to pay an application fee and screen them through smart moves by transunion .

You may have more luck with the smaller one-man type shops than the big ones that have a dozen techs and a nice office.Depending on what kind of furnace you have now, and how much room there is, you might be able to leave the old furnace right where it is. 

Some banks will do a rate reset and extend for another term but for the most part borrowers are constantly shopping around financing options.

In effect, one stop shopping for our clients.

Smart lazy investor . com has contracts!