I hear what you're saying, but this (carpet) is something that I waver over. Only because, in spending time on non-agent, real-estate oriented lists where consumers (the Buyers) hang out and discuss real estate, more often than not I hear them talk of having to tear out perfectly good, brand new, just-installed-for-the-sale carpeting and replace it because it's almost always in a boring shade of "let's make it neutral so it appeals to everyone - or no one" beige.  Then I hang out on Freecycle and see perfectly good, brand new, just-installed-for-the-sale carpeting being given away because they just bought a house and tore it out to put in a different kind of flooring - or carpet - because everyone is so sick of "real estate agent beige" (yes, I've heard it called that). 

I'm not sure what the solution is for that one.  Other repairs?  Absolutely!  Carpeting is a tricky one, though.  Maybe a variation on the new home technique of "Act quickly!  Pick your carpet colors now!" or something like that? 

It's a quandary.

Sorry, that wasn't clear, Don.  By "having to", I meant that when they're discussing houses they're looking at with an eye to buy they'll say they wouldn't buy it because they'd have to do that.  Yes, I know that's a dumb reason not to buy a house, but I do hear it a LOT - one reason I hang out on those forums is to find out what the consumers are saying, not what the other agents are saying.  ;-)

On the other hand, the Freecycle people getting rid of the carpet clearly DID buy the house anyway - but did they offer less because they knew they'd be replacing the carpeting?  And, in that case, they'd be offering less if it was old, stained carpet, too.

Like I said, a quandary.  Wish it had a quick and easy answer! 

What I find fascinating is the differing opinions I get from real estate agents and from consumers (not necessarily sellers so much as buyers - the buyers frequently completely contradict what the agents say they'll think).  Like I said, that's why I hang out in both places!  I like a more well-rounded picture.  Makes my job easier - not easy, but easier, and every little bit helps! 

I do think that sellers should get the house inspected, make repairs ahead of time, and have the receipts for said repairs available for display, along with the inspection report, in a "House Book" so that the buyers can feel comfortable that issues have been/are being dealt with.  It's just the cosmetics where the consumers don't all always react the way you'd expect them to.  Perhaps if this were done (the inspection/repairs/House Book) along with samples of carpet styles and colors and a "pick your own colors" notice it would work?