On the flipside, working days would immensely increase my family time but limit my productivity.

Nevertheless, there are more great areas in Birmingham, but you can also look at Huntsville, as well, while you're in Alabama.Also, @John Wijtenburg has some great pointers, building those relationships before you get back to the states will help out immensely.

I've seen you reference taking some places that had immense upside, but that it takes a lot of skill. 

Homes come with immense psychological baggage, properties do not.

Also immensely enjoy playing with numbers and facilitating transactions. 

It's really helped me immensely to have mentors that know what the industry is like.

@Russell Brazille thanks and that helps immensely.

In 2017 I bought my first house (primary residence, post-war row home) which I began renovating by leveraging my access power tools and equipment and my girlfriend's father's (contractor) immense knowledge of renovation.

If you are an owner occupant, you likely have first dibs on bidding, which is immensely helpful! 

That’s an immense impact to cash flow.