Michael,

You got me on my high horse on this one.  Why would anyone in their right mind not want a home inspection?  It enhances the process, no one wants to discover all kinds of problems after the sale.  A

Michael Thornton we live in a relative world!

It's MUST and very helpful for buyers and just a requirement to complete the transaction for the sellers! (Or should I say, buyers feel it helps and sellers feel it hinders - though have to comply with the process.)

Good morning Michael. Loaded question for sure. The only answer, it depends, but as long as the inspection was done well, that is all that matter.

Hinder, but it is important.

The home inspection process is essential. The inspection should never reveal anything the owner and listing agent did not know and have made contingency for addressing.

It is the commentary of the inspector that hinders the process.

It generally is a huge help...except when the inspector is less than knowledgable and raises issues that are not issues but part of routine systems maintenance.

Help!, no other answers should be here:)

But I've seen the ''affordable'' inspectors who do basically nothing. Those are just a waste of time. The home-buyer must  hire the best inspector they can find. The good one will help to save a lot of money telling what is really going on with that house.

Michael - I just think it is necessary for the buyer to know what they are purchasing.

To be honest, I would say more often than not, it will hinder the process because it will typically result in more negotiations between both parties, depending what is discovered. However, I would never want to conduct a transaction without one.

It removes a lot of doubt and anxiety.

I feel like it is a necessary component to the sale. Generally it is just a bump in the road and requires a little finesse to get through it.

Well that depends upon the players.  If their are safety items and a seller won't repair and the buyer won't repair before closing it can hinder.  Mostly it's just information and does neither.

Knowledge is power.  So overall, the home inspection process helps the property transaction process.  There can be glitches along the way.  Stuff happens.

Neither! It lets the Buyer know exactly what they are buying.

Sometimes it hinders the process, but it is well worth it.

A loaded question but I will bite; the inspection process almost always helps my buyers get a snap shot condition report to help them make a sound decision on any property. 

On the other hand it gives my sellers an excellent idea of any condition that might get called in an inspection; was called by a professional, not cousin jed...

if beer bottles are present, it helps it. :)  I think in the long run, it helps. at any given moment, it may hurt it

I think it depends on all of the parties to the transaction.   All parties need to realize during negotiations it is a business transaction and not take anything personally.

I think it really helps. At least the buyer knows what they are getting themselves into before it is too late.