You can learn a lot about areas and rent rates without asking a PM so explore that first

My goal is to live in the home during the winters, maybe 3-4 additional weeks for vacation, then rent it out to help cover the mortgage the rest of the year.  

Additionally, some syndicators are mostly in the middle-person role of sorts; partnering with others who do the primary LOI/PSA/operation roles.

Both properties have a substantial amount of equity that’s essentially sitting idle.Would it be a good idea to tap into this equity (through a HELOC, cash-out refinance, etc.) to fund future fix-and-flip projects or purchase additional rental properties?

What do you mean you are paying $400 additional dollars more than what you are paying now?

Suggest you check in with him/her on this additional service as your attorney is already intimately familiar with the file and you can often give them pre-authorized amounts to settle on vs trying to squeeze all the blood from that turnip. 

What happens if you lose on it, you now have an additional liability, not just a loss of money.Are you planning on keeping the current property or exchanging it (1031) into something else?

Additional resources and tools via brokerage.... 

However, have you explored other investment strategies?

.## Additional Resources- Check out the BiggerPockets podcasts and webinars for more insights on these strategies.- Read books like "What Every Real Estate Investor Needs to Know About Cash Flow" by Frank Gallinelli to deepen your understanding of real estate investing.- Use local real estate agents who are familiar with investment properties to help you find the right deals.You're taking the right steps by seeking knowledge and networking.