I am Arlene Puentes, October Home Inspection's founder and home inspector.

I am dedicated to giving you expert building condition information.

October Home Inspections costs more because your important buying decisions demand a thorough inspection performed with careful diligence and unimpeachable loyalty.

To serve you better, October Home Inspections does not solicit realtor referrals. I choose this policy in order to avoid possible conflicts with your interests.

Think about it. If your home inspector must depend upon realtor referrals for work, whom must that home inspector try to please?

I am a New York State Licensed Home Inspector, ID # 16000005212
Don't be impressed by this — It is easy to get a NYS home inspector's license and this information is here because NYS law requires that I post my NYS license ID number on my website. So there. Now I've done that and can telll you about credentials that are true indications of my ability to serve you expertly.

I am a Certified Member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). I have met ASHI’s rigorous logo use privilege requirements. ASHI is the oldest and most respected not-for-profit professional organization of home inspectors in North America.

I have five International Code Council (ICC) Certifications. Including the Residential and Commercial Building Inspector Certifications. The ICC, the largest building and safety code organization, is dedicated to protecting the property, health and safety of people worldwide and develops the most widely referenced building codes for residential and commercial buildings. Most U.S. cities, counties and states (including NYS) choose the building codes developed by the ICC. These certifications are a significant accomplishment and is conferred by the ICC to attest to comprehensive technical expertise and a vast knowledge of the construction codes and standards used by building professionals.

I am Certified by the New York State Department of State as a New York State Building and Residential Code Enforcement Official. This certification is granted after the successful completion 126 hours of Department of State training and six 1½ hour exams. In order to keep this certification I am required to receive an additional 24 hours of approved NYS Department of State code enforcement training a year.

I passed the National Home Inspector Examination given by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors. This 4 hour examination is a closed book and proctored exam.

I have spoken at a national home inspection educational conference and at various local training meetings on building science technical topics. I am also a NYS Department of State approved home inspection educator.

I am certified by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a Commercial Pesticide Technician in Category 7C (Termites).

My ASHI certification requires 20 hours of Continuing Education Credits a year. My NYS Building Code Certification requires an additional 24 hours of Continuing Education Credits per year.

A home inspection is a methodical investigation of your home's condition followed by a written report. The inspection is performed in compliance with New York State's Home Inspection Professional Licensing law Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

The home inspection will include the following building components (if visible and accessible): foundation, framing, basement, crawl spaces, garage, roofs, kitchens, bathrooms, interior rooms, attics, plumbing, heating, cooling and electrical systems.

The home inspection will help you make a better informed buying decision.