Though he isn't always aware how the negotiations proceed after his work is done, Harris Gross of Engineers for Home Inspection in Cherry Hill said buyers were more apt to use an inspection report as leverage in this lean housing market than in the boom.
The buyer's goal is to get the seller to pay for repairs or cut the price to reflect their cost.
"The result depends on the financial position of the seller and the comfort zone of the buyer," Barbone said.
Which means a lot is riding on the accuracy of the inspection and the quality of the inspector.
Home inspections are not intended to point out every small defect, though they can highlight the good points of a house, be sources of information, and educate buyers and sellers.
Nor are they appraisals, which are used to determine a property's market value.
The American Society of Home Inspectors emphasizes that an inspector "will not pass or fail a house," but rather will describe its condition and indicate which components and systems may need major repair or replacement.
That is especially important with older houses, where systems may not be up to the most modern standards.
The standard report covers the condition of the heating system; central air-conditioning system (temperature permitting); interior plumbing and electrical systems; roof, attic, and visible insulation; walls, ceilings, floors, windows, and doors; and foundation, basement, and structural components.
Trade groups such as the National Association of Home Inspectors (www.nahi.org) and the American Society of Home Inspectors (www.ashi.org/customers) offer virtual inspection tours on their websites so prospective buyers know what to expect.
Some larger inspection companies offer what Barbone called "complete packages," adding termite inspection and radon testing to the typical checklist.
