See if you can call the housing authority and push the application along. also find your local rental owners association and join it asap   then take every class they have so you learn the rules of the game you are playing. 

You are only entitled to the exemption when you are living there, and "Hey I forgot" and "Man - I didn't know" aren't going to do you any good with a taxing authority.  

Hi Michael,Before embarking on this part, you might want to have your down payment ready to go in cash.And be pre-quailified by a lender for $X--and have the lender ready to go.That will steer you into the number of units you can buy, and also allow you to speak to these people with concrete authority that you are going to be an owner (employ them) vs just some guy ringing their phone off the hook.Having the loan ready to roll will also tell you if you MUST use a management company or if they will let you self manage.Line up a Down payment, a Lender, a Manager, a RE Tax Pro, an eviction attorney, (If you are going to LLC talk to an asset protection attorney about this then talk to the Tax person).Good Luck!

Buy BPs books,  go to youtube.com and search on subject to, creative financning, watch a dozen authors channels and focus on a few you like. 

There has been many bills introduced in congress to make the program much easier, but there is no political will to pass such legislation.

I don't know of many Landlords that authorize a PM to spend $10,000 without written permission.

There is a huge need for affordable housing and in certain areas, the housing authorities are really trying to incentivize landlords.

I couldn't think who to ask but the housing authority and they are who told me about the 2 per bedroom rule.

Probably the best way to get this is go to the taxing authority...tax assessor to request. 

What if heirs show up and say you didn't have full authority to lease the house and now they want 1/2 your airbnb money and want to move in?