How to prevent your AC from stolen while rehabbing?

[Tingjun Lei]

Hello BP pros.

I have a question of how you guys prevent your AC from being stolen in a SFH while rehabbing. I recently installed a brand new AC unit at a rehabbed SFH and it was stolen.. The SFH has code violation, so we are legalizing the addition. It's towards the end of the project, and we need to install an AC and water heater as lay out on the plan to pass the county inspection..So I bought a new AC and water heater and installed them since I was thinking to replace a new AC anyway so I can sell at good price after the rehabbing. I did not think of the AC and water heater will have been stolen since the property is in a good neighbor. Unfortunately, the AC and the water heater were both stolen maybe because the property has been vacant for too long..thank god I haven't put the appliances yet.

Since the addition wall is removed, so the electricity meter was removed also, and we are getting the electricity from an independent electrical source. Therefore, there is no electricity at the house, and I can't install alarm system. I can try to see if I can first get the electricity back to the house and then put alarm system and bought the AC, water heater and appliances. I think the alarm system should prevent these stuff from being stolen again. However, I can't think of innovative ways to prevent the AC condenser from being stolen since it's outside of the house, and these bad guys can still jump over the fence and steal the condenser. 

What do you guys think? Putting an AC condenser cage? I used to put it at the other SFH, but these thieves are still able to break it and stole the AC..Install a wi-fi camera? Or just simply not putting the condenser until closing? I can certainly add a clause such as the AC condenser will be installed at the closing, but I am afraid that the bank appraisal or home inspection won't pass without the AC condenser..I am also thinking not putting the appliances instead I give credits to the buyer. 

Anybody has similar experience and suggestions? Much appreciated!