Apparently they sent the counter offer to everyone.Anyway, I go up from what i already thought was a strong offer to 12% above asking and removed the appraisal contingency.  

One of the bids got really close to getting accepted because we got a counter offer. 

@David Kim I wouldn’t want to let them know that it’s causing you any heartburn... they will “smell the blood in the water.”Maybe you could counter offer and agree to the reduced rent if they go ahead and lock into a renewal period.

I'd like to counter offer, offering them to finance the 70K they need.

They may reject entire offer; they may also make a counter offer somewhere in the middle.

Here's my counter-offer... you refund my money to my credit cards in full within three days, and I won't initiate multiple charge-backs against you for the full amount.  

Understand that what you consider a "counter" is not actually a "counter offer" that you can accept....it is simply the terms they will accept, if you offer them.  

My counter offer was accepted today on a house I’m flipping.

Since the counter offer was verbal, I very seriously doubt the seller can be held to it. 

That's allowed me to set up a HELOC for 60k to play with.Negotiated a large raise at work through improving my value to the company and presenting a counter offer.