Should I stay in my home and try to get some roommates to help with mortgage cost until I gain more equity?

Think about it this way: Walmart might have to lay a bunch of people off, but they will probably stay in business.

Now that it's August, I know they are allowed to stay until 10/1 because I gave them notice this month. 

I would assume that would stay true after trying to refinance after we have 20% equity?

They tend to stay a long time. 

Let's stay in touch as guidance comes out

Because the legal protections afforded by the LLC goes out the window if you aren't able to stay organized and separate your personal and business expenses (i.e., pierce the corporate veil). 

In terms of living on the income my real estate generates (I have a job but not a very secure or reliable income job), would I be better off staying with the properties paid off or looking for similar good deals and mortgaging them ?

I'm a newbe who lives in California and I've been spending the last 4-6 months reading everything real estate related that I can, staying up to date on the forums here and listening to all of the BP podcasts that I can.

So staying all bills paid could be a bonus to your property.