I"ve build a few houses and have done quite a few renovations and in my experience people have a hard time visualizing things from a plan, but it seems you are well past the plans stage where they can actually be in the house and see the size of the rooms etc....The other side of the coin is in the finishes, you can spend 50/square foot just as easy as you can spend 500/square foot on finishes, so you want to make sure your clear on those things so you can explain exactly what will be there when it's finished.

@Tracy EllisonLove your core logic visual chart below. 

Being a homeowner already should help with your wife's visualization of RE potential I  would think.  

I'm a green interior designer / visual artist / landscape contractor. 25+ years people & project management expertise in the commercial and residential new construction, additions and remodels.

Sometimes, slight modification to the existing condition may allow it to be visually pleasing. 

:(Good luck.Henry Thank you so much for the visual. 

Do you have any visuals?

I have posted a video helping illustrate the situation and to provide a visual.

If they don't allow the wall to be opened up the air inspection will still help show if there is are mold spores present if they do it gives you laboratory test results to go with the visual inspection report.

I am a visual learner.