do some buyers just not get it?

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so far, my limited experience is rehabbing to first time home buyers.  But I am getting discouraged because I don't think the buyers even recognize all the work and expense I'm putting into the homes.  I live in western Michigan, and it's a pretty working class area.  (no high end car lots, expensive restaurants, fancy clothing stores, etc.).  Even new construction houses will have "off-the-shelf" cabinets, trim and are generally builder grade.

 So I just stick to the basics.  But I have found that I can get higher end stuff from suppliers for the same price.  I can get trim, cabinets, and such that you normally don't see anywhere close to the price range of these houses.  But I'm beginning to wonder if everything is lost on my buyers, even the realtors.  I see houses sell with ancient fixtures.  I used to see rehabbers flipping houses pretty nicely, but now the market has recovered some, they are all gone, out of business, or decided it makes no difference.   

 Right now, I'm listed in a cookie cutter neighborhood, and a potential buyer passed on mine but bought the house across the street.  The houses are identical.  I have brand new stainless appliances, a new birch kitchen, all updated doors, trim, bathroom, etc.  I'm 5 percent cheaper than the guys across the street, and they have a dated oak kitchen, used white appliances, non neutral paint, the floor needs refinishing, the basement leaks, and the buyer went over there.  Sorry for the rant.  But sometimes I feel like I fix these things up for people for no reason.  Maybe I'm trying to sell a steak from a hot dog stand.  who knows