The seller is willing to negotiate price, but I have to pay for all repairs upfront.

Transfer Fees or Property Tax Reassessment Some states impose a transfer tax or reset the property tax basis when property ownership is moved into an LLC.

Real Estate Professional status is explicitly not recognized by California, among many other beneficial tax rules that exist on the Federal level.

Some sales are done online, otheres in person only and some others are both online and inpersonal simutaneously.I've written here on BP many times on Tax Sales. 

The intensity and same desire to avoid paying a licensed professional for his opinion.

The cost will be much smaller than the taxes you could have to pay.

If so, I've never seen them post a tax sale.

What are the tax implications of transferring the deed?

Assuming your debt is SUPER cheap and only costs you 12% you’ll save $22,800 TAX FREE  So the combination is saving $60k at 12% (or more) is $7,200/yr and $130k in the bank at only 4.5% is another $5,850/yr  so you’re over $13k GUARANTEED instead of a chance to make $7,200 before taxes  

You’ll pay more for tax prep, more for record keeping, more for financing but what will you get?