(more than likely) The rates are not locked in until final approval is given.

I get excited when new investors finally figure this out because their first deal then becomes a matter of when.

I recommend you pay him the final amount, but get a lien release, in advance, that says if you pay him this final amount, he will have been paid in full for his work and no further liens can accrue.

As you mentioned, it might be difficult timing the sales of each of properties where you can achieve a combined exchange (multiple properties into 1 property / or a few properties).Just a quick note that may be helpful - I work with a group of investors that can help with a combined exchange into a single property and will buy it back once you've found a replacement propertie(s) as the final destination for your capital.

The property passed final testing by the county health department.Is this anything I should be concerned about?

I dont know how many units you are talking about, my biggest problem was tenants having easy access to me.I finally decided to use a software and got an internal property manager so moved away from it.Currently setting up the maintenance request portion of it, so will see how it goes.

Quote from @Andrew Steffens: I have not used Propstream but have used BlueTent and Vintory etc and I did not yield good results - based on ROI - for anything.  

I used some photos with a similar aesthetic but made it very clear these are not the final photos.

Not sure the final outcome, but I'm guessing that is a case where you think things are risk free, but I expect the purchaser was out significant legal fees that were not reimbursed and ended up not getting the property.I've always thought about this in the rare instance that a super nice and super valuable property goes to sale with a mortgage on it. 

However, if the property is a long-term hold, the lower interest rate with a prepayment penalty can often result in better overall returns.Another consideration investors should evaluate is how prepayment penalties are structured - whether it's a declining penalty over time or a flat fee - because this can significantly impact their profitability when selling earlier than expected.