I told them that they needed to speak with him as I had my contract with him and he had been paid for work rendered. 

. - that's going to be tricky: post 1950 "shoebox" style duplexes in a decent neighborhood and in move in ready condition (but dated) usually sell in the low 200s with multiple offers, which is rendering a VA loan (or FHA loan) a non starter.The trulia crime maps are pretty good, but don't make the mistake to think that you are fine just outside the blue areas - you want to be more than walking distance away or on the other side of the freeway or river.

Or is it a sign that there is a bigger issue somewhere that an experienced buyer saw that rendered the property not worth it?

One side (2 bed, 1 bath) will be rehabbed and rendered out upon purchase, while the other (3 bed, 2 bath) currently has a tenant from the previous owner.The tenant has been in the property for multiple years and seems to keep the property in good condition.

Designed kitchen in our digital rendering software.

Do we both essentially sign that I paid them for services rendered- So I keep a copy?

I don't think I can post the a link but westharborla dot com has several renderings available. 

They put their huge xmas tree in front of the kitchen island rendering it useless. 

We had it happen once & just got the city code enforcement guys involved to render the humble garage abode condemned for habitation.

Furthermore do these specialists provide rendering, get permits for utilities connection and new address