Negotiating 1st deal on REO

[Tamara Taylor]

I'm currently negotiating with a bank on an REO. It's been on the market since April. The asking price is $75k. I offered $63k and included a list of repairs which total $52k. After a week they countered with $74k. I countered again at $67k. They came back with $72k. I don't want to pay more than $70k. Do I push the bank more with another counter offer or ask them to pay for 1/2 closing costs? That would put me at $70k and they'll have $72k on their books as the selling price. Seems like the latter would be a win win. Does this make sense? Or am I being naive?

Thanks for your help!