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#1 I have never called nor classified anyone as a slob based on their smoking preferences

#2 Carpet allowance is NOT generally a condition of sale, at least not in these parts. Unless they are severely stained. Most homes do not get new carpet with a sale around here, believe me.

#3 Leaving homes unfinished for the buyer to decide is a function of new construction, rarely found in existing home sales in these parts.

The market I live in the median HOUSEHOLD income is less than 40k a year, the typical home in a decent neighborhood goes for 60-80k a year.. if you go into the higher neighborhoods/properties you get into the 100-150ish range for most existing homes and for new home construction you are looking generally at 200-300k, and new townhomes in the 100-150ish range.

People aren't given away free carpet with the sale if the existing carpet is not worn damaged or horridly stained. Medium grade carpet with medium pad in these parts is going to cost you around 12.50 a yard installed if you are a contractor/landlord... if you are just joe six pack wanting it installed its much more. In the modest to average price ranges, people aren't giving buyers 2-3k carpet allowances with their sales if the carpet is good and fucntional.

Your area of the country may be different, here in the rust belt, its not typical to expect the seller to front cosmetic repairs on a typical average home.. it can happen, but even if it does, you are still affecting the sale price as that credit comes off the sale, so again you are not getting top dollar. The market is not hot enough to support it, why would I choose your house in need of cosmetic repair when I can go pay the same price for a completely rehabbed one ready to move in?

If any sort of significant work is needed at all to a property, the seller does it before the sale, or you better get ready to hand your buyer some instant equity.

I'm sorry for not clarifying that I meant for pre-lived in homes with obviously well worn carpets, not those where they're still fairly new and functional.

I'm not just trying to troll, but even in the rust belt, do you pay sticker (asking) price for everything? As you, yourself, also keep pointing out, it is the condition of the house dictates the price. It has nothing to do with if the previous owners were smokers or not, but how well they maintained the property. If carpets are old, worn, and/or extremely smelly, then the price of new carpets will most definitely be reflected in the buyer's bid or else will already be discounted in the asking price. Yes, even in your part of the country.