There is no deferred maintenance on either ( at least that I am aware of and an inspection report would reveal more).

Also, if something significant is revealed during the inspection, and you want to trade remedying that issue for a vacant first floor, that could be an option, but the issue should be material and not exaggerated, and the seller should have the option to remedy the inspection issue instead of making the trade.Lastly, and somewhat unrelated, you should always require that any security deposits, and interest accrued on such deposits, be passed on to you at closing.

I'm going to reveal my noobness but if you do that ....

With that being said, they countered, and in their counter, they revealed that one unit (smaller of the two) is section 8.

I have not done so, but I have negotiated this with an individual as seller when the final walk thru (outside of the inspection period) revealed damage that had been hidden by the occupants furnishings during original viewing and inspection period.

A simple Google search reveals these facts.  

The inspection revealed that the property needed a new roof and the basement walls had bowed in due to runoff from the neighbors driveway.

A simple call to the local code enforcement agency should be able to reveal any outstanding liens and fines.

A web search should reveal most of them.

Each step you take reveals a new horizon.