Congrats Frank, it actually seems like you in your element if anything.

Rates and fees are higher than conventional, but if that's not available, then portfolio is the next best thing.There are numerous scenarios that may fit your situation (30 year fixed, ARM, HELOC). 

I have had numerous clients who were swindled out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by investing overseas. 

There are numerous reason why a developer would not want to touch it, from it not being profitable to just wanting to hold it for a year and hopefully sell at a higher price.

I also own and manage numerous properties which are being rented to American Military community members (Wiesbaden and Stuttgart).

Numerous hours spent going through the property and getting all the numbers together.  

The law says you must make numerous attempts (I think numerous is at least 3) to serve them, if still unable to serve you can post it on the door. 

Both have been mentioned numerous times by guests on the Bigger Pockets podcast and I have detailed notes to both books.

The Phoenix metro area is over 100 miles diagonally so most buyers choose an area that fits their needs regarding commute time, area, social activity, schools, price, etc depending on the buyer.Buying for 1 year does come with some element of risk if appreciation is 6% for a property and the overall selling costs (Title, Realtor etc) is 8% it may not look so good!

There is an answer to make but we have seen numerous exchanges like this that have been disallowed upon audit.