Can we transfer it in our name without paying massive Taxes?

I take checks, money grams or cashier checks but my college aged tenants want a online or better way to transfer rent.

We’ve been advised to close in our name, and then transfer the deed into an LLC via Quit Claim deed.  

Again, you may run into transfer limits with some of those other apps which aren't necessarily designed for the purpose of rent collection but the right landlord software can make this seamless for you.

Tax reporting costs,  annual renewal fees, legal fees to establish and maintain...Hopefully you didn't transfer with quitclaim deeds. 

The original owner never paid the lien when the property was transferred to him so id like to either pay for him to get his overbid back and have the county take the lien off before he receives his funds.

Because of that I cannot transfer the properties to an LLC or sell them because these options would have a negative effect on my Japanese taxes.But I can refinance them (rate and term or cash out), I can get a HELOC and I can pay off the mortgages (this would free up Fannie/Freddie loan slots).

@Robert Vorhies Tenant Deposits typically transfer to the new owner as it's still actually the tenant's money being held via the lease terms.

Would it be a better idea to transfer the property to my name and sell/1031 exchange it that way?

@Sonia Rodriguez, in my state (PA) and likely many others any agreement to sell (transfer rights) to real estate must be in writing.