I've seen fake alarm systems which basically are stickers, SIGNS "(This Property is Under Video Surveillance" etc), and even flashing red lights that are battery powered-battery powered alarms - they have these at harbor freight, you can put on windows and doors- they're powered by magnets --Does anyone have recommendations for better battery powered or simple DIY alarm systems?

They have passed a battery of tests to become certified.Paul

I have a few DIY options such as battery powered lights, battery powered motion censor lights, and an option to plug into an existing outlet.

I can't tell you how many times I've gone to a rental house only to hear the smoke detectors beeping like a Chinese water torture because the they're too lazy to change the batteries.

Not sure about those two cities, but some require hard-wired, interconnected smoke detectors - costs more to put in than regular battery operated...Also, generally to North Texas:  it gets damn hot down here, so HVAC systems take more of a beating. 

As would canned goods, fuel, batteries and other necessities.One problem with gold as a currency is the indivisiblity.

i try to cover everything because, like you said, they see me as great landlord. just last week i rented a gas log spliter, split lots of wood and build a firewood rack for one of my houses. this way they can have some wood for the firepit in the back yard.they never asked, but since i cut 2 trees earlier this year, i was tired of seeing the wood just rot away on the ground.I have a line in my lease that specifies that filters, bulbs & batteries are all new @ the time the place is rented & future replacements will be @ tenant expense.

For this reason, if a tenant calls due to a malfunction of the smoke detectors and a technician is dispatched, you can have the following outcomes:Technician determines the smoke detectors were faulty, and replaces - owner chargeTechnician determined the smoke detectors batteries needed replacing - tenant chargeIf written into the lease that the tenant is responsible for such replacement and the detector was easily reachable, - if not or if the tenant is elderly or disabled, assume reasonable accommodation: owner charge=time/labor & tenant charge=battery costWhere the property manager must be mindful is in the allocation of the owner's resources (money).

I highly recommend that with your net worth, which is continuing to grow with these properties (while also expanding your liability - Carbon Monoxide kills one person because your C02 detector didn't have battery back up or had died, and you lose everything).  

In the last grow house I dealt with, they had a giant bank of batteries that they trickle charged in order to spread out the usage impact.