If you haven't done any deals before team up with a more experienced partner and show the investors their deals.

I don't know that it will change my eventual decision on avoiding SoCal, but definitely will keep an open mind to the advice of experienced folks like yourself.  

I have attached each my full spreadsheet where I inputted literally any information that could be found on the properties, as you can see its a lot but I am an engineer and an pragmatist.

Offer to do some electrical work for an experienced flipper in exchange for education.

Hello Lian,I have discovered that it's good to use a CPA that is experienced in real estate investing.

I am not very experienced as of yet, so I would not be able to offer up any good advice unfortunately. 

I can send you the name of a MEP engineer that would prob know the answer.

Left and went to College in Pennsylvania, got my degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and my MBA.

I'm just looking to bounce off Ideas here from experienced investors and maybe investors that have had a similar situation about whether it would be smart to refinance both loans to a 15 year mortgage?

You would need to get an experienced attorney to look at it, but I suspect that would be the case.Your sales tax issue depends on the state in which the property is located.