There's a good chance the issue(s) you face has already been discussed and answered.Ask questions in the appropriate forum.

Challenges?

That shows real estate can be possible for anyone; in my opinion, I know everyone has unique and challenging situations, but in principle, anyone who can follow some basic budget fundamentals can save up enough for a down payment.Grateful BiggerPockets continues to bring more people into the industry!

When I return to the country after my Au Pair contract ends, I hope to live in the property as my primary residence and house-hack as well.I understand that investing remotely makes things more challenging, but I am also ready to be uncomfortable and challenge myself in this journey as I know it is 100% possible.

There's a good chance the issue(s) you face has already been discussed and answered.Ask questions in the appropriate forum.

If your children decide to sell it (you can't predict the future), they will likely face steep capital gains tax. 

I’m also concerned about challenges like dealing with difficult tenants and navigating new taxes.

However I did note that houses are mostly really old, e.g. 100 years or older... any idea if this poses challenges in things like lead paint presence, outdated wiring, rusty plumbing, etc., or have many of the homes already been updated?   

Glazing in walls, enclosures or fences containing or facing hot tubs, spas, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms, bathtubs, showers and indoor or outdoor swimming pools where the bottom exposed edge of the glazing is less than 60 inches (1524 mm) measured vertically above any standing or walking surface shall be considered to be a hazardous location.

They have definitely become more challenging since rates have gone up.