I don't know what to say... though I do know that around here, people are getting their asking price, and above! And if someone around here said they'd meet their price, but requested changes, the homeowners would politely refuse because they know someone else will come along and make the same offer without the added stipulations. BUT, I have no idea if he same could be said for your housing market.

We nearly moved two years ago and found the perfect ranch home too... circa 1970 complete with linoleum, mirrored walls, garsih paper, horrendous carpet. We'd have had to ask for at least another $15,000 in the mortgage to cover all the changes Thats the tough part of buying a home - knowing that you'll have to change a lot of things and those changes will be very expensive!