The property was a hand me down from my parents after a long-term tenant had recently passed away.

You're banking on future events you have no control over...that's not investing, that's speculating.Besides, you own the property, but the property owns the equity...not you.I would hope you could find a much better financial situation than this one.

You'd like need to have partners or have a parent co-sign the loan with you since.4) Work through college - I worked through college full time and was able to pay off my student loan debt only 2 yrs after graduation.

This then limits all business activity(other than the initial investment) to be with outside of your own control (i.e. you have no direct control over the investment itself). 

We learned a long time ago that we could not control how tenants kept their units. 

MTM gives you the most control (in theory), but the more risk of vacancy.

First Deal:Purchased 50/50 with parents.

 Well  done on all that learning  you invested in and  now the action your about to take.This should be just like parenting ; its not so much whats said but what you do that reflects your belief.Working with an agent you align with who actually  invests will get you working with the person who lives and believes in what you want to do  for your self and your familyIt should be a nice alignment that should help deliver the experience and property your afterBest of luck Mr Woodrow.

In one simple word: Control.

@Cameron Mertens because your current home is a triplex, it is subject to rent control so between now and the time you sell, make sure you don't fall behind market rents, or it will limit the value on resale.