From there you need to determine WHO can do that work instead of you while you're gone.

It's been awesome to just go... and work from anywhere.The good news is that more and more lenders are starting to get on board with AirBnB, VRBO, etc... properties and how to determine guidelines for cash flow for investors. 

You'll also need to determine how any foreign taxes paid are to be treated (e.g., credit or deduction).If you feel you can't handle these tax aspects of foreign rental income reporting yourself, then find a preparer who has experience in this area.

It's hard to say if this expense is included in any NOI that is listed so you should definitely review the details to determine if it is or not.

This will allow me to come up with the cost-benefit analysis to determine if I should have these installed or not.

We have also secured a real estate agent who will only take 4% commission and who will guide us through the process.Obviously our plan is very elementary in nature as we have analyzed a minimal amount of deals and are not entirely confident in our abilities to determine the ideal purchase. 

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.