But I'm 62 & I can't afford, (like who could or should or can) to Gamble!

To alleviate this $0.01 risk, one could wait to see if the dollar loses some value, then lock it in at a lower rate but it could continue the other direction so is a gamble. 

The added gamble is training someone who could move on to work for a competitor, or become your competitor.So in a sense the managing partner would take on a sales rep. role.

Essentially I just graduated from Clemson University with a Graphic Communications/Marketing double major and instead of grabbing that comfy 30k-40k job over in Greenville/Charlotte/Atlanta like all my peers, I packed up my car, took a gamble and drove west.

That's a gamble I'm willing to take as worse case scenario no one rents it, I can still eat the carrying costs or drastically lower rents. 

Don't gamble! 

There are ways to play it to consistently make money without the need for speculative gambling, and once you get the hang of it, it can be very profitable.

Would it be a gamble to make one final counter offer or is it better to go with the "Final offer" from the bank?

To me speculating is gambling dressed up in a nice suit.  

I would NOT gamble on your feelings @Kyle Bethune.