I would absolutely never hand any contractor $15k for services not yet rendered.

This was one whole month after he was supposed to be done.I sent him a bill for services and materials not rendered, and we agreed on a figure plus materials.

Now as far as your rendering question goes - what is your price point? 

The Digi-dollar or the Digi-Yuan will render the Bitcoin useless as a currency.  

Talk to city manager, zoning, city officials about what you want to do have 3-D renderings and 2d floor plan and elevations ready to show.

I talked about my plans for the property, laid out our 36-month renovation plans and had professional design renderings for the interior and exterior, let him know that I would care for the property and tenants as much as he had.

Putting down big lump sum as down payment doesn't render that money as no value.

Would I be better off getting a lawyer  (for $1500-2000)I want to be fair and pay a reasonable amount for services rendered.

PROCEEDS OF SALE AND CLOSING PROCEDURE:The Deed shall be recorded upon clearance of funds and evidence of title continued at Buyer's expense, to show title in Buyer, without any encumbrances or change which would render Seller's title unmarketable from the date of the last evidence, and the cash proceeds of sale shall be held in escrow by Seller's attorney or by such other escrow agent as may be mutually agreed upon for a period of not longer than five days from and after closing date.

If he fails to render the funds, then file a complaint with TREC along with the documentation.