The eviction freeze will not last forever, so buy their problem from them and get a discount.7.

It may be rated #2 in the country for murders and it is known for freezing winters - but if one is in it for the price - Detroit or Bust.

Due to the Texas Freeze, none of the big contractors would be willing to start work for next 4-8 weeks.

DO it now. in the north water freezes and expand, it will crack the foundation walls.Common cracks in dry/ plaster walls, it will happen.Galvanized pipes, the insurance will limit the coverage, make sure there are no big trees near the line and get  it inspected with a camera, about cost about $300 to $400 depending the state for the inspection.

Here’s what I would do:1- Turn off the exterior water bib; you should do it anyways when vacant or in freezing weather - if you really want to you can turn it back on when the tenant moves in - make that part of your movein/moveout process moving forward.2- Acknowledge it; not confrontational; go politely knock on their door and try to make light hearted talk Let them know that you saw the hose; you get it; but you’re really trying to keep your costs down when the house is vacant — your ultimate goal here is not to blame (although you should because they certainly know better) but try to win them over more so to get them into your camp as an ally —- a knock out would be something along the lines of ‘here’s my phone number if your ever need anything or if you ever have any issues with my tenants give me a ring’ - done right they will keep you in the loop as far as maintenance/tenant issues, etc. — again this goes against what you or I would want to do — to scold them and let them know they are thieves but what good does that do?

We all saw how wonderful that green energy was for us when we had blackouts in the February freeze...

If I was out of state investing I would not buy anywhere with freezing temperatures that last more than a day here or there.

They can replace your furnace, or merely augment it when it's not below freezing. 

The incident happen after Texas freeze so all the contractor were busy with freeze work. 

If the house is too far, consider the Blink battery operated ones or even hunting cameras that take freeze frames.