This way if there’s physical damage by residents the company pays the first $500 to fix it.

In the end we had to pay to turn the space back in to a white box/shell and closed with basically zero physical assets.

I haven't had a full-time employment for a while but I have money saved up to buy a property or two.Is anyone here living abroad also or know anyone living abroad that is not physically buying properties in the USA but abroad?

Nor will you get a Constable to go with you if you have not confronted the issues ahead of time......unless you encounter physical violence or a threat to your life, I highly doubt you will get any support in giving an eviction notice to a tenant.  

Here’s why:Putting aside the actual physical danger of living in a fire prone area.

To combat this: market the property well, be transparent, secure a great flood insurance rate so a buyer can know the cost and be able to transfer the policy.5) no flood zone AE does nothing to rental rates6) if the insurance rate seems high then get a flood cert and maybe it will decrease.

You can visit the property, contractors, etc where as Detroit will either involve longer travel or trusting someone on the ground when you arent physically there.

@Tobias Joneses The answer to your question about making money on STR in Long Beach very well be "NO". 

For instance, said property manager manages maintenance issues, problems that arise during bookings, basically anything that needs a physical person at the property, while I manage the rest?

Physical auctions.