Conventional Loan & deferred maintenance affecting closing

[Michael Win]

I have a home under contract. The Sale price is 15K under the Appraised value. My finances, income, credit history are all in order without issues for best rates. Typical 20% down.

The loan is in the final stages and received prelim approval last week and expecting final this week. Close is in 3 wks.

I get a call from my broker that the underwriter reviewed the Appraisal and the appraisal has "deferred maintenance" on the inside (carpet, tile), outside (Soffit). He gives me the impression that they would like this fixed before closing.   Home is rated C-4

This makes no sense to me
#1 - all of the rental properties I had these same issues and it was never brought up b/c it appraised at sale price
#2 - All older homes will have these deferred Maintenance. If the seller fixed all of these, he would sell it for a Higher price
#3 - Who cares about these deferred maintenance. The place is livable, and not a hazard. There were tenants in it for years without issues. Everyone has deferred maintenance in a house.
#4 - The house appraised over Sale price. Even if I did nothing to it, the appraisal states I could sell it over what I am buying it for.

Has anyone heard of this and how can any lender expect the buyer to fix all of the deferred maintenance before closing?  How do I go about satisfying the lender as getting another lender at this time would be difficult?