I'm liking the BRRR strategy but would like to step up to multi-family. 

Initially in the sale I was under the impression he would be gone but that didn't pan out. 

Could anyone give a succinct step by step process of wholesaling?

We have less than 50K saved, haven't been saving long, but we're on step 6 in Dave Ramsey which means we're saving 15% each annually.Our choices were decrease saving, or take a one time hit.

Hopefully this ebook will help: https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/jayhelms/file/10-step-guide-to-buying-and-holding-a-small-multi-family-rental-property 

And I find it interesting that past apartment syndicators have stepped back from the market when they can't buy based on a rule like that.If we have another nasty recession like in 2008 I think it's likely that people will not pay an extra $100/month in rent for an upgraded kitchen.

I understand that I need an appraisal to determine my (stepped up) cost basis on the date I inherited the house.

The first issue I am running into happens to be initial capital for investing, and this stems from my fear of taking on an initial loan for a down-payment on a property is this a good idea to do or bad and why? 

Taking action is definitely a step in the right direction. 

You know when you come across a property and theres a Red Box with an "X" in it with the initials of the municipality's fire department on it?