It’s a built-in safety net.2.

Regarding the room in the front house rented as a studio -- it does seem equivalent to renting a room in a house, though I wonder if there are any code or safety violations broken by blocking the door.

She used the warehouse to start a food distribution center in 1998. 

Just some food for thought.

Got multiple offers but the one I picked offered $21K over the asking price, no closing costs assistance, will give me $1K closing assistance, and will requests major or safety hazard repairs only.

I’d recommend making a more realistic offer to begin with, including all the stops: appraisal gap coverage, escalating clause (if they’re being accepted), heart strings letter (not being looked at much in my market because sellers are getting so many offers, but doesn’t hurt), waive whatever contingencies you can/feel comfortable with, use cash or if you don’t have cash use a “same as cash” program that allows you to make a cash offer then finance immediately after closing, make the inspection “for informational/health and safety purposes only”, etc.

So far, I am thinking it would be good to have:Stainless steel tub interior (supposed to be more durable)Hard food disposer  (to minimize potential repair calls in case they aren’t so good at scraping their plates)Sensor wash (for ease of use, so they don’t complain the thing doesn’t wash thoroughly if they are bad at picking the right setting)In particular, has anyone bought a dishwasher recently & could make a recommendation?  

If down turn in market etc we have kind of a safety net where we’re not totally stressed about losing them.

It's a violation of fire safety and sanitary code.

Other potential options are to increase earnest money deposit to show you're serious; offering the shortest closing your lender can do, only use inspection contingency for health, safety and wellness; offer an appraisal gap guarantee if you offer over asking price.