Are houses appreciating?

I’m currently renovating my house and turning it into my first rental.

It is a semi-attached row house that I live in.

Let's say 3 young single guys want to buy investment triplex.  5 years later your credit is all tied up in that triplex so when one of your partners gets married and has kids and his wife wants to buy a house for the family, they can't do it, because his name is on that investment mortgage. 

Personally, I would look to buy that kind of property and house hack it - meaning you live in one unit and rent the other 3-4 units out.

So the house wound up needing the drywall, kitchen, bathroom, roof to the garage, Plumbing, Gas and other stuff done. 

The entire house is furnished with all utilities included.

I've done some research and see some suggesting randomly showing up at the house (don't want to do that) or sending a letter/mailer (those things are usually thrown out).

A minor problem with one house that I'm hoping to rectify this month.

I am looking to use a VA loan to get a house but want to purchase a rental property and get started on getting cashflow.