I would think if the seller agrees, then you have a better product to sell and for more money.

Let's say your average renovated purchase price or all in price renovated & purchase is $35k.

I have to exchange 215k cash and 118k debt, so I need to either buy two houses at the average price of 220k or one all cash and pay nearly 30% in total California taxes on the debt of 118k.

I would think if the seller agrees, then you have a better product to sell and for more money.

What kind of investing strategy are you looking for and what are the products?

Don’t register but simply call a broker with one of those firms who specializes in the product type you’re looking for and set up a brief meeting.

If I don't have the right product, I'll send it to the person that does - while reminding them of what I've got that they don't.

That means to have the optimal equipment installed you would have to have the electric heat installed first so your consumption can be averaged.

Similar to this:  https://www.behmdesign.com/product/apartment-garag...

Just to offer you an opposing opinion - driving down the principle and refinancing is putting a lot of your hard earned cash, that could be used for productive assets, into a bad asset.