Popcorn is great at the movies, but it's no longer cool on your ceiling. Sadly, a majority of the homes I visit still have it. You wouldn't expect someone to buy your old orange polyester suit with the white zip-up boots, so why would they want your popcorn ceiling and burgundy carpet?
One thing we at Brio do on a weekly basis is tour homes that are on the market in our area. We typically view about 7-9 each week as a group, and then many of us will visit various open houses during the week on our own. For the most part (and I'm not going to single any homes out), what I've noticed is that a great deal of the homes still languishing on the market could be considered the left-over's of the sales boom. Many of these homes are being sold by the original owners and haven't been upgraded or altered since the 70's or 80's. It also appears owners still expect top price for these homes in a buyers market.
My suggestion is that sellers take a little of that equity they have accrued over 30 years and bring that house up to speed. You don't have to spend a fortune, but you need to spend something! Telling potential buyers "Yes, we're offering a credit for the ceiling and carpet" isn't really closing deals these days; people aren't anxious to buy a home and then have to remodel, and lenders aren't too happy about allowing credits at closing.
So let's get those ceilings scraped down, and get that old gold vinyl off the floors in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room. Replace the George Jetson light fixtures, filthy rusted old washing machine, single pane windows, faded wood paneling, and any carpet that's color looks like it belongs on a sports jersey. Then, consider doing a little painting, and I suggest steering clear of some of the more creative looking "designer colors" I see out there. Also keep in mind, mirror tiles were barely cool when they came out, to the trash they must now go!
The first 15 seconds a buyer looks at your home are the most important, that's when they will either say "Wow!" or "Woe" (and woe's not good). A buyer shouldn't feel like they've stepped into a time machine when they walk into your home, and if they do, the odds of them buying at your price are next to nothing. If you want maximum price, you must offer maximum value. A good agent can still get you a good price for your home, but they need a home that works with them, not against them.
You may consider hiring a design consultant if your not up to the task of bringing your home into the new millennium, but believe me, you will sell your home faster, and you will get your price. Then you can relax, go see a movie, and yes, get some popcorn!
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Michael, I so agree with you!! Sometimes people are just too greedy to do the right thing - like UPDATE!! As for the popcorn ceiling I think that the HazMat people have just scared the crap out of people when it comes time for removal. I have never done it - is it expensive?