Hi. I'm looking for a place to rent and saw your ad. Can you tell me about the neighborhood?
great neighborhood, close to UCB campus, Bart station, shopping, food, all with in walking distance!!
It sounds great. It's more than I can afford though. Can you come down on the price?
That's pretty reasonable for such a great location.  What are you thinking is fair?
My budget is closer to $1000 a month. 
Sorry.  Perhaps you could find a roommate to split apartment with you.  I could go down to 1750 to help you out.  Lower then that, and I'd lose money