When the condition description field opens up, there is no text in it at all, it is just a field with a faint outline.

You mentioned that you can't create your own item specifics either, so I'm wondering if you might be using the quick listing tool, which has some limited listing options. Look for a link that says something like 'Switch to advanced listing tool', sometimes - even if you are definitely on the quick lister - that link won't be there, but can usually be accessed by creating and submitting a listing, then going in to edit it afterwards.