I recommend you and your partner get some dual from an experienced CFI and RV transition instructor.* I do this training, but you are in California, I'm in TN.
There are approved instructors on Van's website. To get on Van's list of approved Instructors, you have to fly with Mike Seager. You also have to own a flying RV to give instruction in. You could reach out to one of these Van's instructors (recommended but independent).
Then there are people like me, flying RV's +30 yrs, +1000's of hours in RV's (CFI, II, ME, ATP). I am not teaching in my plane at this time, so not on Van's list. However I can and do instruct RV pilot/owners in their plane. I am not soliciting my services, but if we were not 1500 miles apart I'd be happy to fly with you guys. If you elect to get an instructor Van's recommended or CFI not on their list, make sure they have significant RV time in RV6A or RV7A. There is the option of finding a current RV7A owner and flying with them... but CFI logged dual has value.*
RV's are not hard to fly but must have extreme respect and competency. If a pilot can fly a C172, Cherokee, Mooney, Bonanza like boss has great airmanship, handles cross wind landings competently, the transition is easy. Pilots that are barely getting by in a Skyhawk could be really marginal in an RV by the fact it is faster and gear is not as robust. Gear btw is sufficient, but nose gear is known, not be tolerant of abuse or rough soft fields.... Van redesigned the nose gear and is slightly better... Point don't land on nose, don't bounce, go around if you bounce... Practice balked landing. Practice speed control.
Maintenance, you can do a significant amount but will need an A&P to sign off condition inspection (12 mo). You don't need an IA (inspector authorization) like certified planes require for annual inspections.
* Insurance is another issue. I know people are getting really reamed, Many will not insure kit planes, low time pilots, pilots over 69.... etc. Some are not getting hull because premiums have gone way up... If you are insuring the hull it is almost a given they want time in type and typically request you get 5 to 10 hours dual.