I'd also be hard pressed to say that your entry level price point is pretty close to what you're looking to spend (California is a whole other animal).

Yes that’s the exact point I’d plan on pressing to the seller, that they would need to pay the seller fee.

Keep pressing forward!

Welcome @Gregory Press.

Maybe my short story was actually kind of long...sorry for the novel.Anyways - my point is, it's really up to you if you want to pursue it or not and I'm guessing it's unlikely your landlord wants to deal with the issue if it's relatively small money for him/her.Very unlikely you're going to get your money back unless press forward with legal action or the threat of legal action.  

I know a deal will come if I keep pressing forward, ramp up my marketing, and keep making offers!!

If the car deal was before applying for the loan, they and you can chalk it up to stupidity.You'll be hard pressed showing that making repairs or improvements are a loss to you, you'll still benefit. :)

Im guessing due to the price points youve mentioned, they may have no affect as you may not be pressing up against them.

how much    do you bench

So why not bring on a realtor who works with investors to add bench strength to your plan.