I'm currently working 30+/- hours a week at a factory just to be able to afford my small one bedroom apartment.

Plus with a SFR, you typically don't have to pay water, grass cutting, snow removal,and your vacancy factor is typically less.  

You might pay $65 for a polo shirt, but you might buy the same shirt out of the same factory without the logo for $12.00, but what people buy is perception, it plays to their ego, not common sense. 

A complicating factor is the deceased father was sold a solar package with pretty unfavorable terms.

Another factor is buying something that generates enough monthly cashflow to pay for itself and generate a profit.

The appreciation factor is excellent.

Maintenance is a huge factor i know, and it was assumed earlier that it would be a major stumbling block for me because of my lack of income, which is not entirely correct i said i had a lack of provable income.

A plus factor is that it is just beside a school campus, students are preferably my target market.

Another great factor is the very low down payment of only 3.5% (of both the price of triplex and the repairs!)

If you can find something that appreciates, that's an added bonus but should not be the deciding factor in a buy and hold decision (although it can be a contributing factor).I would like however to hear more about your flip deals that you successfully completed!