It then fails prematurally during the freeze thaw cycle.

So I wanted some space heaters to keep the pipes from freezing and get through the night.

There is also the risk that the power has been shut off and if the temps drop below 30s, the pipes could freeze.

With the hiring freeze enacted on any new state workers, I wouldn't be surprised if some layoffs were to follow.  

As an added bonus we had to bring the temp we keep the house at night up because we were freezing.

I decided to buy a freeze up foreclosure last year as my primary residence with the idea of house hacking and then an eventual rental.  

Unfortunately the laws cater to the least likely scenario trying to protect those that may have lost their job and have kids that will starve or freeze if you kick them out and this allows a-holes like this dude to take complete advantage of you and the system.

Stick to it with the networking, the "Seattle freeze" is real but you're sure to crack through some of those shells soon.I would recommend touching base with @Troy Fisher as he runs one of the meet-ups in the area and may have good contacts and word of other meetups you could attend. 

Also, let's say everything looks good when it's inspected, but there is an unexpected expense up front (like, say, a water pipe freezes this winter and you have to shell out a bunch of money to repair broken water pipe plus add more insulation etc).

Same procedure for boiler/heating system but perform a separate test on this.Usually the elbows in runs near the exterior walls break first which actually reliefs other parts of system.I have seen freeze ups where it was only minor a few elbows here and there.It really needs to be done on a case by case basis but it seems like your preparedfor the worst but I don't think it will be that bad.