Without knowing much about your goals my general advice would be to tap the equity and use that equity to purchase more real estate.

Good advice, thanks. 

Any insights or advice you could offer in these areas would be invaluable.

Advice here would be appreciated in what refi products I should consider.My gut says the safe move is sticking with long term rentals in my local market (South Jersey, just outside of Philly) which I am familiar with, but I also have been considering purchasing a vacation home in the Outer Banks and use it as a short term rental when we aren't there, which would be most of the year. 

sadly I believe similar results would come from it but i could use your advice!

BUT my agent convinced me to do exactly that and I owe him for hammering that advice.

I second Nathan's advice.

Definitely talk to your coa before taking the advice of “some guy on the internet”.

are there any advice or tips on how can invest in STR properties in florida with bad credit?

Someone there may have some advice or a spreadsheet they can share.