[Los Feliz Slim]

If you accept the $1000 decrease without a struggle, it will be obvious that you'll go lower. Tell them you need to think about it and then put them off (letting them believe, if they choose, that you might have another iron in the fire). Avoid a yes/no situation. Essentially, stand firm on the original offer and either a) accept the $1000 decrease when it's officially on the table, or b) hold out for the original offer. Don't accept the $1000 hit before that's your official offer and expect that's all they'll try and do, because you'll have shown that you're flexible and they will need to push you to find out how flexible.