It also matters where the home is located, and what the weather, type of tenants it attracts/has been attracting, etc. other factors are.

Those that cannot weather the storm get wiped out.Having cashflow positive properties provides a margin of safety you just do not have with negative cashflow.Why are you focused on buying in your backyard? 

If you're prospecting the entire coast, just keep in mind travel times for tours and be mindful of the weather.

The alleged loud tenant had some harsh words for the downstairs tenant.

People come to me to invest because I've shown over several decades that I can produce results, and when the market doesn't go our way and results are difficult to produce, I've shown that I can achieve the best outcome possible and weather storms without losing people's money. 

The way I see it, I have 2 options: 1) inform her of her responsibility to turn on the heat or be liable for any damages caused by the cold weather or 2) turn on the heat myself.

If you are not from this area, you should know it is even harder to rent a place when it is the holidays and it is cold and snowy outside, and the bad weather we had the first week of January hasn't helped you.I'd have a discussion about what it would take to rent your place.  

Am I being harsh by letting this owner go? 

Focus on fundamentals: buy below market value, have strong cash flow (or a clear path to creating it), and maintain sufficient reserves to weather any unexpected challenges.If you’re strategic and stay patient, this market could create opportunities that lay the groundwork for long-term success.

Especially in the real estate rental sector, I like to say "Be polite through hospitality, but be harsh on Business"