Rent paid for all of the expenses, so it cost me nothing and over the years (I kept it for ~20 years) price almost tripled by the time I sold it.Not sure what grad program is 3 years (I'm used to 2 for masters, 4 for PhD), but if you do need to sell one, I'd look at each property and see which one has the most equity, highest interest rates, lowest return, major expenses in the near future (eg new roof) and you mentioned you'd lived in two for 2 of the last 5 years, so have capital gains exemptions. 

However, not everyone has the income to qualify conventional, so the alternative route would be DSCR loan where the program doesn't look into your income, instead it evaluates based on the subject property rental performance based on the ratio system.

What is astounding to me is the ready acceptance by the people purchasing these guru programs that with only the guru training they’ll be able to make tons of cash by identifying and tying up all these 40% + discount deals that all of us with the experience, education and capital have somehow missed.  

The brokerage offers an appealing Flat Fee 100% commission program.

Financing options include FHA loans, conventional loans, portfolio loans, DSCR loans, and Florida first-time homebuyer programs.

Besides traditional banks to access the equity via HELOC or refinance, what other programs are there via private lenders that will allow me to access that equity?

I do not have any experience with this specific program, however I have bought other software programs he offers and found it very helpful.

I just viewed a webinar from Cody Sperber and this program is called the "Deal Automator". 

That gives the agent a stronger offer and you have a greater chance of winning the home with a loan commitment versus a Pre-approval letter.As of this morning rates are down on all programs for Primary homes, Second/Vacation homes, and investment homes. 

@Bryan Melendez although section 8 is a federal program, each office is run by the local jursdiction.