Okoniq Journal
Property tips, taxes & HOA guides
Plain-language guides for homeowners, landlords, and HOA boards — written to help you stay organized and keep more of your money at tax time.
Browse by topic
Getting Started
New to managing property? Start here.
Taxes & Accounting
Deductions, basis, Schedule E, and staying audit-ready.
Renting & Tenants
Leases, rent, screening, and tenant relationships.
Maintenance & Repairs
Upkeep, vendors, and keeping a home in shape.
Mortgage & Money
Financing, refinancing, insurance, and cash flow.
Buying & Selling
Valuation, prepping to sell, and the closing process.
HOA & Community
Boards, reserves, meetings, and living in an HOA.
Latest articles
Pre-Listing Home Inspection: Worth the Cost Before You Sell?
A pre-listing inspection runs $300-$600 and can prevent the buyer's inspection from blowing up your deal weeks after you've already moved.
Partial Home-Sale Exclusion for a Job Move or Health Reason
Selling before the standard 2-year mark for a job or health reason can still get you a prorated slice of the $250,000/$500,000 home-sale exclusion.
Net Investment Income Tax on Rental Profits Explained (3.8%)
The Net Investment Income Tax adds a 3.8% surtax on rental profits once your income crosses $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.
Inspection Report Came Back Ugly? A Seller's Repair Guide
A 12-page inspection report doesn't mean your sale is dead — most buyers use it to negotiate price or credits, not to walk away.
The Emergency Home Folder Every Household Needs in 2024
A single folder with 8 categories of documents can save you weeks of delay and thousands of dollars when a fire, flood, or storm hits your home.
Homestead Exemption Guide: Cut Your Property Tax Bill in 2025
A homestead exemption can shave $25,000 to $75,000 off your home's taxable value, and most owners never file for it.
Seller's Disclosure Form: What You Must Legally Reveal
Most states require sellers to disclose known defects like foundation cracks, roof leaks, and knob-and-tube wiring, even in an as-is sale, or risk a lawsuit later.
The Home Sale Contingency: Buying and Selling at Once
A home sale contingency lets a buyer back out of a purchase if their current house doesn't sell, usually within 30 to 90 days.
The Home Filing System That Actually Works (7 Folders)
A working home filing system needs 7 folders, not 20, and takes about 90 minutes to set up the first time you do it.
Home Energy Audit Tax Credit — What It Actually Covers in 2026
A federal tax credit rewards homeowners who pay for a qualified home energy audit, but the eligibility rules trip up landlords who assume a rental unit qualifies.
Home-Buying Timeline 2024: Pre-Approval to Keys in 47 Days
A typical US home purchase takes 30 to 60 days from accepted offer to closing, but pre-approval and house hunting can add months before that.
HOA Vice President Role — What This Board Seat Actually Does
The HOA vice president fills in for the president and often runs committees, but bylaws — not tradition — define the actual scope of the job.
Get free property tips by email
New guides on taxes, rent, and maintenance — sent as we write them, not on a schedule. No schedule, no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
Prefer to dive in? Get started free →