The way I look at it is that courses are a very low investment & if I get one idea from them that I can use to make money it was worth it.

Do you have an idea of the total tax credits?

I'm personally looking to start the exact same way as you with a multifamily house hack.It's great that you already have an idea of how much $ you qualify for so that you know what locations to start looking in.

Quote from @Renee Coss: These are great ideas!  

With the idea of "we can turn money today into more money tomorrow by investing it," I place most of this within a taxable brokerage account where it grows based on the market broadly speaking.

And you assume the rest of the mortgage that you're already guaranteeing.Your idea to refinance immediately after to get favorable financing is perfectly fine. 

Pay a contractor to walk the property or multiple to get a idea.

But remember that what is favorable now could come unfavorable in the future as they readjust over time.Reasons many landlords avoid vouchers include the hassle of the extra inspections, the perception of a worse tenant, and maybe the inconvenience of getting rent from two different parties. 

She just loves the idea of owning real estate. 

I could be wrong, no idea of the market there.