They will then send a letter stating what terms they are offering.

Provided you are sticking to the letter and spirity of your rental agreement, you have to set boundaries People that get indignant over you setting boundaries are not worth worried about. 

Since you're a citizen but you live and work abroad you'd still qualify mostly for second homes occupancy or investor non owner occupancy (primary is hard to claim if your job requires you to be physically next to the office as an example so an underwriter isnt going to readily believe you unless you can get HR to write you a letter to state you're remotely capable of earning this income/job duties anywhere).Hopefully that helps let me know if you have further questions into mortgage planning.

I would shoot him a text and follow up with a letter through the mail to be 100% sure if I was concerned.

He would also use the address of the house next door, and misspell his own name by like one letter, just enough for someone to think it was an honest mistake.

Letters are a good start.

I also received a letter from the county saying that my property is in violation of several health and safety codes. 

Send written letters, nice stationary, handwritten envelope, explaining why you selected his property and what your vision is for it.

Make sure you get your letter out to the tenant about the damage deductions from the deposit though.

This could be a 0% owner by the letter of the law...What are the Reporting Basics?