Today, the counter offer was back with signature said "per phone conversation with seller", signed by seller's agent.

It was listed at $100,000, but my agent suggested making a $70k offer, and it was accepted w/o a counter-offer to my surprise.

I am waiting for the listing agent to let me know if the first offer accepted the counteroffer...

The net result is that if I were in your shoes I'd just be curious as to why I was losing the deals, not getting a counter offer, not getting a request for "highest and best" if there's competition.  

The seller came back with a counter offer of $69,000 and I countered that at $65,000.

Waiting to hear back from the seller because I agreed on their counter-offer.

Dave,can you elaborate on a few points#2 - what wordage would I use in the purchase contract to achieve a delayed closing#4 - same thing what is the wording on the counter offer for a contingency to delay closing until you find a suitable property.

For one I can negotiate myself and I have found that most agents will try and talk you into taking a counter offer so they can just close the deal.

All of which have been declined without a counter offer.

@Ted Klein Sure, it's called a "counter offer".