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.
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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
Should You Sell Your Home As-Is? Honest 2025 Guide
Selling as-is usually means a 5-15% lower price, but it can save weeks of repair time and thousands in upfront cash you don't have.
Should You Require Renters Insurance From Tenants? 2026 Guide
Requiring $100,000 in renters insurance costs a tenant about $15 a month and can save landlords thousands after fires, floods, or dog bites.
Should You Rent Out Your Home Instead of Selling It? (2026)
Renting instead of selling can net $200-$800 more per month than a savings account, but it also means 10-15% of rent goes to repairs and vacancy.
Should You Rekey the Locks When You Buy a House? (Yes, Here's Why)
Rekeying a home's locks typically costs $75-$200 and takes a locksmith under an hour, and most security experts say every buyer should do it before moving in.
Should You Get a Professional Energy Audit? What to Expect
A professional energy audit typically costs $200-$700, takes 2-4 hours, and often uncovers $200-$500 a year in avoidable heating and cooling waste.
Should You Buy a Home With a Friend or Family Member?
Nearly 1 in 4 recent buyers under 40 purchased with a non-spouse in 2023, and the arrangement only works with a written exit plan.
Should HOA Board Members Be Paid? What Boards Should Know
Most HOA board members serve unpaid, but 15 states allow stipends if bylaws and governing documents specifically authorize compensation.
Sewer Backup vs Flood Insurance: Which One Actually Pays?
A standard homeowners policy pays for neither sewer backup nor flood damage — you need two separate add-ons, and mixing them up costs owners thousands.
Service Animals vs Emotional Support Animals: Landlord Guide 2024
The ADA covers only dogs trained for a specific task, while the Fair Housing Act requires landlords to accommodate emotional support animals of any species.
Septic Tank Additives: Do They Help or Waste Money?
Most septic tank additives don't do what the label claims, and some can actually push solids into your drain field and shorten its life.
Septic Drain Field Failing? 7 Warning Signs in Your Yard
Soggy, bright-green patches over your leach field and a gurgling smell near the drain often mean the field is failing, not the tank.
Selling Your Home When You're Behind on the Mortgage: 4 Facts
Federal law gives you 120 days of missed payments before your servicer can start foreclosure, and selling the home during that window is fully legal.
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