I've purchased and sold a few in my time. Certainly it's a point to explore and possibly negotiate. In my experience, most often the seller needs the earnest money deposit for their own budgetary concerns, often, unlikely having closing cost funds upfront.
It also depends in some measure of the sellers desperation to be rid of the house. It's valid to assume they have already looked for or "secured" another house, on some level. It's wise to invest in the services of a Real estate Attorney, read everything until it's understood, and sign only when that is the case.
It may be that you as a buyer, don't have all you need to allow a large "down" or added costs, but at that point you should be seeking the most "creative" financing you can find. Without question you might find a lender to support a %100 percent loan, and hopefully you've already done your homework as to TYPE of mortgage, and cost you CAN afford. It's not at all uncommon for both buyer and seller to "share" closing costs.
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I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.