If I have the seller I tell them the inspector is there to trouble shoot and find things.  If I have the buyer I tell them to be there and ask as many questions as they wish.  

Far too many think that an old home should be up to the condition of a New home.

"You are buying a used home, and paying for a used home, dont be surprised that their will be a few defects, hopefully you can live with them as the previous owner did.

Michael - I'm not sure of the number but there are unrealistic expectations for many parts of the real estate transaction.  Proper expectations should be discussed as soon as possible when meeting a client.  

Reviewing possible results in advance helps all of the parties through this phase of the process.

I tell them that inspections here are visual only.  No one but an a/c person is going to open it up.  Temp range at this moment in time, only.

infra red sees the unseen.... we explain that home inspections are for structural and mechanical defects.... no home is perfect.... 

I tell my clients that every home inspector should find the important things but will always miss a few of the unimportant things because there isn't time to get everything or see behind walls- 

I think they all have unrealistic expectations to some degree about both the inspector and condition of homes. I try to prepare my clients that nothing can ever be 100% perfect and known about, but they "forget" 5 minutes after I've told them.

X-ray vision does have its advantages Michael. Infrared is also a great trait.

Sometimes it's experience - they need to have lived through it to understand it. 

Michael Thornton Education! Always expect the unexpected. That's why we have inspections.

I have already advised the seller what will be found and remind them of the strategy in place.

There will be NO surprises.

However, I do advise that rogue inspectors exist who have other issues in life and their OPINION only has the value the SELLER gives it, not the buyer.

I further advise, 'Stay the course and you will prevail."

From first outing I try very hard to manage expectations. In spite of my efforts, I am finding that expectations seems especially inflated now, perhaps because of lack of general urgency with buyers and a feeling of buyer leverage.  In any case, it is certainly frustrating.

I make sure that my clients understand the limitations of a home inspection. For example, if they are worried about the roof, that will need a separate roof inspector. Same thing with dry rot, it will need a pest inspector who will actually open a wall to see what's going on, whereas a home inspector does not. However, a home inspector can tell you generally the condition of the home and I always strongly advise it.