As a listing agent: pre-MLS marketing.

As a buyer's agent, the second it's an accepted offer with one caveat:

If there's an appraisal concern (pre-TRID) we used to wait until the appraisal came in before spending any other money. However, that strategy won't work with TRID.

The moment the contract is accepted, my clients are told to order them. 

As soon as we have a signed around contract!

The home inspection should be ordered as soon as the contract is ratified.

I provide my Buyers with contact details and they make the arrangements once we have an accepted offer.   I have occasionally advised Sellers to arrange for one if I feel the home warrants same. 

home inspections are ordered as soon as the offer to purchase is fully executed.....

As soon as I have an executed contract.

ASAP once fully executed. Buyer picks inspector, we coordinate time, buyer arranges payment.

I typically ask my clients to order them asap once the contract is ratified. If there are issues that would cause us to get out of the contract I want to know that as soon as possible.

Good morning Frank. I recommend that a home inspection is ordered as soon as the P & S is signed.

I'll assume your asking as if we are representing the Buyer. Ask the client to order the inspection as soon as the contract is accepted.

Right after mutual acceptance

when do I order?  when I'm buying the house.  Otherwise the buyer orders it.

As soon as a property goes under contract the inspectin is ordered.

Usually the second the contract is ratified.  Sometimes, I'll try to set a tentaive one before that, especially if the deadline has a short fuse.

once ratified

Pretty much right after we go under contract. The buyer orders it. 

Right away when we open escrow. 

Right after all parties sign the contract. 

Frank - I guess I am the same as everyone else. I have the buyer order their appraisal as soon as the Purchase Contract has been fully executed. The default inspection period on our contract is 10 days, so the sooner the better.

Usually, once the offer is accepted, I request the buyers to order the home inpection Frank Rubi, MBA .

As soon as it's binding Frank Rubi, MBA ....I like to get it out of the way as soon as possible!

The sooner the better, especially with the new TRIG procedures. Any repairs items should be completed as soon as possible. Two walk-thrus are becoming more common.

Frank Rubi, MBA In accordance with the negotiated contract. Usually seven days.

When representing sellers:  prior to the home being placed on the market. 

When representing buyers:  My clients order the home inspection so that the agreed upon contingency time period can be met.   The sooner, the better.

The Buyer orders the inspections - depending on how many days the contract has for Buyer due dilligence. The standard practice is 10 days in AZ AAR purchase contract form. It could be negotiated to be more or less.

I encourage Buyers to consider the whole due dilligence process, and order the home inspection as early as they are comfortable. Sometimes, the home inspector recommends further inspections of particular systems - so the Buyer still needs to budget time for any such further inspections.

Regarding Sellers, some choose to do formal Pre-sale Inspections, others just do the anticipated repairs and don't order a pre-sale inspection. I highly recommend a pre-sale inspection.

As soon as the offer is accepted.

As soon as we have an agreed contract for exesting homes...and in the rough-in stage of a new constructions

I order it shortly after the contract is ratified just in case the buyer wants to get out of it.

I wish our GAR contracts would give more time and wait until after the appraisal to do the home inspection.  Why do it within 10 days of binding when the appraisal may come in low.

For Buyer clients I advise them to order a home inspection as soon as the offer is accepted and with Seller clients I advise them to get a pre-listing home inspection by an inspector I would hate to know a Buyer might use.

When a buyer is writing on a property, I give my inspector a call to see when he is available, and usually helps when I tell the listing agent the inspection will be done within a couple of days.

Pre-listing home inspections are ordered and completed prior to a listing becoming active.

Post-listing home inspections are ordered after there is an accepted offer.  However, in some cases, such as expected multiple offers, the buyer sometimes orders a home inspection before putting in the offer, if the seller agrees.

The buyer or seller, whichever is applicable on my side of the transaction, orders the home inspection.

The client orders the home inspections from a list of qualified people but I have that worked out before contract acceptance and it is my recommnedation to do it as soon as the contract is signed.

I don't.  We advise the Buyers to order them immediately after contract acceptance and remind them of the contractual "inspection period" (10 days is the "default" in the "standard" contract).

I don't.  I give my buyer a list of 3 inspectors, let them pick and make the appointment.

ASAP, the buyer does this after the offer is accepted.

As soon as a we get an accepted and signed offer. Usually we get it done in first 5 days. 

Right after a fully executed contract.

Usually when the contract is signed by all, first is to have them make formal mortgage application if they have not within 1 day and order inspection right after, 

I advice the  buers to order it as soon as their offer is accepted.

We order the Inspections as soon as the offer is accepted.

Frank,
Depends on where we see the greater risk, that it won’t appraise (order that first and inspect later) or that there will be inspection issues, order it ASAP.

As soon as the contract comes out of Atty. review. I let my Buyers select their own home inspectors or I give them a list of a few.  I don't ever want to be in a position where an inspection misses something etc. and the buyer says I steered them to the inspection company.

I urge my sellers to have the home inspected before putting it on the market, but they don't always want to spend the money. The more normal time is right after the offer is accepted.

I discuss the inspection process with my buyer and suggest this be set up as soon as offer is accepted.  I usually offer 3 companies and let the buyer decide which company to use.