Would you refuse a listing?

I wouldn't refuse a listing of a "junky" home because after all, anything will sell if properly priced.  There are other reasons I would refuse such as an abusive owner or one who refuses to price it realistically.

We have refused listings for a variety of listings -- don't like to refuse, but there are times when it is just the best.

I had a home for sale last year that was the ultimate cluttered mess. It was a nice home, in a nice location, but needed new carpet and a good thorough cleaning. I begged the homeowner constantly to de-clutter, and always used the feedback as another opportunity to hound her about it. Ended up the home was sold before my clean, nicely staged listings.

I have refused listings based upon the first meeting. One knows if things are not going to work out. We cannot have all of them. Take a referral fee

I just recently refused a listing exactly for these reasons. You couldn't even tell what the rooms looked like due to the clutter. The owner had no money and no help to box up all the "treasures" and put them in storage. On top of that she wanted to list too high for the market conditions. Finally had to tell her that 1. Your home is not ready for the market  and 2. The market is not ready for your home.

Saw that she listed with another agency that would not even put interior photos in the MLS (wonder why?) I am going to keep an eye on that listing to see what happens.

maybe you show those ugly pics because you market it as a super-fixer? You know like this:

Buy this home that nobody wants! Not even the owners! Get a great deal!

I have taken listings where the homeowner has promised to do what I have requested, but when they have failed and continued to make excuses and refuse to adjust the price accordingly I have fired them.  If the house is cluttered and messy and doesn't show well but the homeowner is realistic about the pricing of the home to compensate for that then it's not a problem.  I am of the opinion that there is a right price for every home regardless of it's condition.  I am on my way to show a home in very poor condition in a good neighborhood this afternoon, but it's extremely well priced to make up for the condition.