However I would also like to explore what would be the right steps to go if we decide not to house hack and still get into multi-family properties.save up enough from the reduction of our bills to put a down payment ?

Bigger pockets rental properties doesn’t mention the steps, unless I haven’t gotten there yet.

Just trying to take the right steps at first.

taking first step into wholesaling what should I do?

This is what I've researched are the steps: Look for potential markets, study the macro economicsResearch neighborhoods.

He told me one of the first steps was to pull the county assessed tax ticket value. 

So I thought this would be the perfect house to put a token bid on just to learn the steps of submitting a bid, as more bids would go in as it got closer to the end of the auction and outbid me.

@Michael SaucierThis is a great next step if you are looking to retire in the upcoming years.

What is the first step and is there anyone willing to mentor us through this first transaction?

The first step will probably talking to a lender.