I know very little about legal precedent but I'd expect the major meter manufactures (selling into the utility space) to be well incentived to challenge these items best they can, and they have money.Here are the issues, and the reasons that the difference between an air forced system and a boiler/hydronic system are not meaningful for this discussion (ie efficacy issues of sub metering exist for either when method of measurement is measuring heat at point of delivery):In either case, the blower (or pump for a boiler) is the method of 'moving' either air (central air) or water/glycol or equivalent (boiler etc). 

Zillow Offers (home owners, buyers and investors to estimate property values quickly) 3.

Phase #1 - Recovery  - characterized by high vacancy rates and no new construction- rent, during this phase, is flat or declining- owners offer rent concessions to avoid their property occupancy rate from  decliningPhase #2 - Expansions- characterized by declining vacancy and the start of new construction- occupancy improves, concessions are not being offered, and rental rates being to growPhase #3 - Hyper Supply - characterized by new construction and vacancy rates beginning to rise - rental rates begin to grow at a slow rate- rent concession are being offerred due to the new construction in the area [in the hope of retaining current renters]Phase #4 - Recession - characterized by the completion of construction and a decline in occupancy rates - concessions are abundant to avoid high move-out rates Here are some foundational truths about optimizing your investments:#1 sow seeds of success in the down times - "The season of failure is the best time for sowing seeds of success."

Should I offer to pay them for their consultation, or are these types of questions common as part of the PM vetting process and is a "courtesy service"?

As an example we purchased a $3.2 million non performing note for $1.875 million, and offered the borrower a discount to $2.65 million for a payoff.  

If they don't know where they are going, no matter what else you talk about, you aren't buying that house unless you can solve the problem of where they are going.The most colossal mistake in all off-market acquisition is that people use the same dumb scripts for all sellers and they almost always talk about a cash offer.

For example, if the prevailing interest rate is 7.5%, a builder could offer buyers a 5.5% rate as a way to make the purchase more affordable.

I have someone offering me a bridge loan to help solve my immediate needs however they want me to pay nearly $5,000 for a MAI commercial appraisal.

It hit the market, and in just 2 days, we had multiple offers and sold above asking price.

You could/should offer a small non-refundable EMD, say $5k if that’s equal to a couple month’s rent.