I have a rental in Ft Lauderdale Wilton Manors neighborhood that is being managed by Icon Realty.  

Having a long-term rental while living abroad is do-able.Flipping houses while abroad, in my opinion, more difficult, especially if its your first go around with real estate.I would recommend taking a flight and staying in the area for a week and inspect the neighborhoods and make connections.You can reach out to @Elenis Camargo who has a PM company in Jacksonville.Best of luck though.

Your post is spot on.

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

If you approached them in a way that you had a solution to the eyesore in their neighborhood they would be very receptive to talk and perhaps share contact details about the home owners son if they have them.

Are there any specific neighborhoods you are targeting? 

From my understanding, you’re spot on that the VA only requires intent to occupy the property within 60 days—there’s no hard-and-fast rule about staying for a year.

For example, in the New York area, especially in some hyped-up fringe neighborhoods (like certain areas of the Bronx, Queens, or Staten Island), finding a "bargain" seems easy.

Quote from @Jules Aton: I started investing in my late 20s during early 90s in up and coming inner city neighborhoods.

The setback requirements to build in my county require 80' minimum wide street frontage per this neighborhood zoning.