Hello:
It is also a way for them to put less money into the deal.
Rather than you reducing the purchase price to cover the repairs, they will get you to pay for them after closing by effectively giving them $5k in cash from you. It's a good tactic for buyers.
Let's say you have a home that is selling for $100k, and it appraises at $100k (or more). I plan to put down $20k and borrow $80k.
If you do the repairs before closing, no change to the numbers.
If I do them myself after closing, I have to put in the $20k and an additional $5k after closing.
If you reduce the price by $5k, I am buying it now for $95k, putting down $19k, borrowing $76k and adding in $5k after closing. My cash in the deal is now $24k.
If they run the scenario they asked you for, I put in $20k, still borrow $80k, they throw in $5k after closing, and my cash in the deal is still just $20k for the final repaired home.
As mentioned above, you are free to negotiate or just say no, the home is AS IS. Also, not being a tax expert, it might be better for you to have the price of the home lowered (so now you are seeing less of a gain).
Just thinking out loud.
Bob