Is the area easy to access in the winter?

If you're unfamiliar with the area or market, or if you don't have access to data, you're probably missing out on making more $$. 

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?

Having access to funds is also good back up (eg line of credit). 

I'm a Realtor w/MLS access.

But if you want low cost, but still have access to that then it's great, as well as all the pyramid scheme programs involved with it :)Personally, I'll agree with @Dan Guenther, that the actual brokerage won't make a huge difference, it is more about who you surround yourself with.

Passive landlord is a long game enter anytime stay for decades and most will do just fine.Active engagement same thing enter anytime and your reward is how hard you work identifying the hot ticket at the time  access to capital etc etc..

Traditional banks don't have access to the different types of loans.

They also use the term access point which I suspect is a single LAN such that one unit equates to one access point in most cases but the term is not crystal Clear to me.We have not gotten past looking into StayFi.  

If you need to access some of the equity, a conventional cash-out refinance will have the best terms.