Just as long as people are smart, stick to their plan and not over-leverage, we would be fine.

What would be a smart way to start Real Estate investing?

Not only is she not a good friend, but she isn't very smart. 

Is it smart to build a multi-family as a first time home buyer to take advantage of the benefits?

A smart agent is going to protect the seller and not fall for unlicensed broker tricks.

I thought it was a smart investment in a nice neighborhood in a nice town. 

At least some of them probably still run (or the seller was smart enough to take the window A/C units out of the windows for the pictures), but you might end up buying some A/C units soon.

So my question is, would it be smart to go this route?

You will need to buy and rehab smartly so you not only not leave money in the home but hopefully pull more than invested out.

just like zillow zestimate is BS, I don't think any AI can accurately tell you what your rent should be.AI still isn't smart enough to look at your photos and location and give you good advice.When I listed my rental last month, the zillow rentzestimate was changing daily.