Here's an example:If your goal is to purchase a buy and hold rental and manage it for a period of at least 5 years, then odds are you'd want to do all the stuff folks above are talking about: join a REIA, research the market, learn about land lording best practices,learn the land lord/tenant laws of the state in which you will invest. 

Every pipe / joint pretty much  was frozen and burst in that period from Feb through June 2016.  

So if the original contract does not mention an inspection period, you'll have to accept it as written unless an amendment is signed. 

Clearly I want their things out of the house but it appears they are trying to hold me hostage and use the property for storage for an indefinite period of time.

Since we will not have the time to actively pursue real estate investments  during this period, what are tips on staying engaged in the market and ready to roll once he returns home?

I typically use a 15 Business day inspection period and "This Contract is contingent upon Buyer's partners' inspection and approval at the sole discretion of Buyer's partners any time before the inspection period ends.

I've just stumbled across this concept of a "Seasoning period". 

Some of the regulations hope to create better management by making the owners be present during the rental periods (I.e.multifamily, cottage house, guest house, MIL suite, etc).

Period.

There is a hold period required to capture the full benefits of the OZ.