The tenants are currently in court with a title dispute so the house would have to be paid for cash only.I would like to convert it to a primary residence and turn the garden level into a separate two bedroom apartment for use as an in law suite.

Is this all handled by the PMS and then routed to the guest by whoever is the primary host?

I would not be living in any of the units as I already have primary residence in town.

I have a primary home and a rental near Portland, OR.

I worked with a travel nurse who does shift work and 5 lenders said that they couldn’t finance her primary residence purchase and I ended up making it happen for her. 

The only other advice that I would give is if your primary motivation is to save on taxes, don't do it.

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.

Best thing to do is buy it as a primary or second home and then transition out into a rental. 

I completely agree with @Ashish Acharya's points about the cost-effectiveness of a HELOC and the potential credit implications if it’s secured by your primary residence.

Are there limits to the “look back” for primary home exemption?