If I find a deal on an area I would consider living when I move back I would like to be able to pull the trigger and possibly refinance into an owner-occupier loan once I move back to the US.  

Where are you living do you have the possibility of a roommate?

This is a business purpose loan and will have a prepayment penalty and possibly cost a bit more than conventional financing.

I certainly have my bias and would love to sit down with you if you are in the Austin area or possibly a phone call.  

As it is when money is at play.

Do you have any projections for what will happen with the insurance market for this year, or is it even possible to project? 

You may have some extra costs, like dumpster versus city trash collection or parking lot sealing and striping from time to time, and possibly different building standards if you are doing major renovations, but day in and day out they are very similar.  

Buyers could look at a DSCR loan which does take into account the revenue from the rent but it doesn't count towards the value of the property.Now, buyers could look at a business loan of some kind but I am not sure they would qualify if it is only one property and even then, the value is mostly in the property and not the possible revenue. 

And a single or double play is awesome.

I don't deny that it's tough if you don't have family or contacts of your own, but with enough time and patience, I think it should be possible to develop contacts.