The main point is you buy something that works for you.Just FYI, based on what I am used to in my current market. that triplex you mentioned would be an instant no thanks.  

Wouldn't I experience instant appreciation? 

Online payments solves that instantly.

For example, if you see that the investors website looks like it should be in the Smithsonian and you know how to design websites, sending him a quick sketch or preview of a better website will instantly get you a ton of points.

This property is listed $40,000 below the Zestimate (I know, not necessarily a number I can rely on), but also $20,000 less than other comparable properties have sold for in recent years, so I'm hoping we'll have some instant equity when the appraisal comes in.

I have been looking for weeks with a good realtor and getting instant email updates on any property changes in my market area. 

If every landlord in CA suddenly got stomped with a massive tax increase... the market would rise in pretty short term to cover it... not instantly... but it would.

It's just like driving a new car off of the lot, it depreciates instantly because it's no longer "new".

Let a guy live in my rental while he was remodeling it No lease

Europe offers instant citizenship to those who buy property in that country.