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
Dual-Flush vs Single-Flush Toilets: Worth the Upgrade?
A dual-flush toilet uses 0.8 to 1.6 gallons per flush versus 1.6 gallons flat for single-flush, saving a typical household 4,000+ gallons a year.
Drywall vs Plaster: How to Tell What Your Walls Are Made Of (5 Tests)
Homes built before 1950 almost always have plaster walls over wood lath, while anything after the 1960s is nearly always drywall on studs.
Doorbell Camera or Full Camera System: Which Do You Need?
A video doorbell covers your front door for $100-$250, but a full camera system with 4-8 cameras runs $400-$1,500 and covers the whole property.
Does Adding Solar Increase Your Home's Value? (2024 Data)
Zillow research found solar homes sell for about 4.1% more on average, but the payoff depends on your roof, panel age, and local buyer demand.
Do You Really Need Primer? When to Prime vs Skip It
Skip primer on a clean repaint with matching color, but use it on bare drywall, stains, or big color changes to avoid blotchy, peeling paint.
Do You Really Need a Smart Home Hub? A Plain Answer
Most homes with 10 or fewer smart devices don't need a hub at all — Wi-Fi and Matter now handle what used to require one.
Do You Owe Interest on a Tenant's Security Deposit?
15 states plus DC require landlords to pay interest on security deposits, with rates ranging from 0.1% to 5% depending on where the rental sits.
Do You Need an Expansion Tank on Your Water Heater? Here's How to Tell
A water heater on a closed plumbing system needs an expansion tank, or rising pressure can crack pipes, blow relief valves, and shorten the tank's life.
Do You Need a Transfer Switch for Your Generator? (2024 Guide)
A transfer switch costs $500-$900 installed and is the only code-legal way to run a portable generator into your home's wiring.
Do You Need a Permit to Replace an Outlet or Switch?
Most cities let you swap a like-for-like outlet or switch without a permit, but rewiring, adding circuits, or panel work almost always needs one.
Do You Need a Fire Escape Ladder for Upstairs Bedrooms in 2026?
Building codes require a second way out of upstairs bedrooms, and a $2,500 de minimis safe harbor can make a fire escape ladder a same-year deduction.
Do Window ACs Cost More Than Central Air to Run? (2024 Numbers)
A 10,000 BTU window unit costs roughly $60-90 a month to cool one room, while central air often runs $150-250 for the whole house at 2024 electricity rates.
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 →