Is this number safe to assume as equity in the property or will the bank come and appraise a different value when determining a LTV?

That determines the tax.

Ronald,The payout on a claim is determined by the Insurance company adjuster based on the terms of the policy and what happened in the loss.  

@Adam Kuszczak most major metro cities will follow the same pattern...the "inner city" will be largely original housing stock...late 1800s to mid 1900's...developments typical radiate from the city center with age...so, 1950's through 1980's built properties are usually 3-5 miles from city center with the newest concentration of properties outside of interstate bypasses (usually forming a circle or partial circle around metro areas)...there is infill building and exceptions to these rules, but property age will be your #1 determining factor of where the properties you are targeting will be located.Building materials and methods of construction (along with codes) were very different from one decade to the next, but homes are surprisingly sturdy and most anything can be fixed.

PHA shall not be obligated to pay any late payment if HUD determines that late payment by PHA is beyond the PHA's control.3.

I'm also trying to determine whether to take accelerated depreciation when it's available to me, and what the longer-term ramifications might be.

If loans are going concurrently then both lenders will require a  Letter of Explanation for Credit Inquires for the purpose of determining if your credit inquiries will result in you borrowing money.

Your income will determine how much you can borrow and how much you can save.Unless you are doing something like flips (high risk, and potentially high reward-note potentially as it can go horribly wrong), you aren't going to accumulate a lot of wealth quickly with real estate. 

I can't find very great resources on this topic, and I know it may be partially determined by region.

The purchase price determines the LTV, not the appraisal.