I'm working with some investors now who are looking to buy an investment property to simply "store cash" so that it appreciates with the market instead of losing value.

Do you want to cash flow, break even, just cover PITI, or simply just cover some of your mortgage to reduce monthly expenses and build equity in your first investment?

Maybe that first quarter is simply podcasts, books and attending meetups.

Sammie  Most of the time when a person says rent to own it really is simply a lease with an option to buy.

It should way longer than you need if you’re simply talking inspections/rent roll kind of things. 

I'd be basically homeless during that time even owning a home and have to keep fighting with the tenant until he moves out and God knows how much hassle that's gonna be given this pandemic and all that.

@Hannah Costello, In this case you cannot simply renew a permit, if it has expired then you have to reapply for a zoning/use permit which can take some time and honestly is rarely worth the trouble.

I did not take into consideration the possibility of the city deeming it an unsafe structure and requiring an architect or engineer as I had assumed I would simply be restoring the original interior framework of the property through the typical permit application process.

In those cases, as mentioned, have investors tee'd up, financing confirmed that you qualify, and then you simply call and ask to meet for coffee. 

Keep  your contact info off of it, but this can help if you soon to be ex creates issues or simply refuses to assist.