This can work for computer equipment you use to manage your investments, large tool purchases and portable items such as washers and dryers.For anything that is attached to the building, you'll generally depreciate those over 27.5 or 39 years as well.  

In general, you're pretty portable in this business, but get trained well, build your foundation, and then you can transition into anywhere that feels right if you're not already there.  

Regarding your question on portability, yes and no.  

We keep portable heaters and portable AC units on hand for times when a furnace or air conditioner might stop working.

If you're super uncomfortable invest in a cheap/portable alarm system. 

My opinion, the world you describe would be just as likely lead to disaster for RE investing as being good for it esp considering how RE is not portable and almost impossibel to get out quickly compared to other assets. 

If there has previously been vandalism and theft then clean it up (good suggestion from Steve on landscaping -- make it look nice right away) and maybe get one of those portable security systems?

I like propane portable heaters but I'm concerned about CO poisoning.  

I just hope (with the heater being portable) that no one messes with it or, even worse, "borrows" it!

I use Frontpoint as a portable alternative to the ADTs, and I'm pretty happy with it, but on my next one I'm planning on Simplysafe.