I understand that BRRRR would provide more cash flow, but from what I've read this method also requires more time and investment.

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). 

I ended up going with a market I had already been to, Huntsville, and learned to do long distance real estate investing as well as the BRRRR method.

btw you can buy at least 2 properties in Memphis TN with $50K using the BRRRR method.

I’m looking for a structure that would at least allow me to break even, or create capital through something like the BRRRR method to use for future deals.

What alternative method(s) would you recommend for beginners? 

We did the BRRR method and house hacked. we lived in one unit and rented out the other.

Find Brandon's videos on YouTube for the "four square" method of analyzing homes and practice.

If one method of communication (email in this case) doesn't work, you need to try another way (phone call). 

Quote from @Brian Bowen: Is there a good free method or resource to find owner contact information?