I think rates will decrease at least a little bit. 

Usually if it’s a revaluation where the whole town goes up in value you see the tax rate decrease and taxes stay the same or go up a little like yours did.

Should we refinance now if rates decrease even just slightly so we pay a lower monthly while we see through these repairs, then once repairs are complete have home reappraised and take out this equity to buy next property where we would live while renting out our current home?

My posting and commenting has decreased significantly in the last several months but after the LA fires, I'm participating more. 

I look for cashflow to service the debt, repairs, cap ex, taxes, and insurance while the equity grows, my taxes are decreased, and rents are increased to make more cashflow. 

That will definitely increase blue collar wages in certain industries and decrease rental demand in certain submarkets over the course of years.

I've bought several in the past few years at 8-10 caps and they have decreased already and the market is not even booming yet.

-Decreased security deposit to 1x for MTR.

To decrease expenses, we are 1.

Better to concentrate on decreasing expenses and saving for now.