Reasoning could be based on the mortgage repayment ability of your salary or ensuring you don't transfer the asset to your wife as a protective mechanism (there could be more reasons why they'd want her as guarantor but those are some major reasons).

Even worse is them filing a mechanics lien or judgement against you.

I don't care what the agent says, mechanical stuff breaks, sewer lines clog, and the agent is usually long gone about 45 seconds after they cash their commission check.   

I used to be a mechanic and still have a decent space to do small repairs for a small clientel. unfortunately because I do allot of automotive work and I'm generally just loud by nature, I don't think that renting a room out would be a good idea for me. plus I typically have a hard time trusting people in my home. luckily we just paid off both of our vehicles so we are starting to get our overall bad debt down to a more manageable number. as things begin to become more stable, what are some of your paths that have lead to financial Independence?

Did they hire a contractor they did not fully pay and now have a mechanics lean?

He also thinks he can rent the shop out to a local woodworker (it's currently equipped for woodworking), or to a local mechanic/car detailing service for a few hundred each month.

In an initial analysis I'd like to see that low-end number a little higher: at least 8%, but if you've got a place you think will have low vacancy, in a good neighborhood, with recent updates and newer mechanicals, it can work. 

Should i withdraw my offer to prevent it from being used as a fishing mechanism by the realtor? 

Trying to have us tell you what your rights are is like a mechanic telling you how to fix your car over the phone when you say it sounds funny.

Age of mechanicals, heating, plumbing, electric24.