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
Weatherstripping Before Winter: 4 Places to Check This Fall
Fresh weatherstripping can cut heating costs 10-15% and pays for itself in one season—if you know where to check before the first freeze.
Fall Leaf Strategy That Won't Clog Gutters (4 Methods That Work)
Clogged gutters dump 600+ gallons onto your foundation during one storm — here's how to keep leaves out without climbing a ladder every week.
Fall Gutter Guard Inspection: 4 Checks Before Winter Rain
Even quality gutter guards need a fall checkup—debris accumulates on top, and small leaks below them can flood foundations when winter storms arrive.
Fall Fireplace Readiness: 4 Checks Before First Fire
A dirty flue causes 25% of home heating fires—four fall checks ensure your fireplace is safe to light when temperatures drop.
Closing a Seasonal Home for Winter: 4 Steps to Prevent Damage
Improper winterization causes 37% of seasonal-home insurance claims—most from frozen pipes that burst weeks after owners leave.
Year-End Tax Document Checklist for Landlords (2026)
A short year-end tax document checklist lets you hand your CPA clean records in January instead of playing phone-tag in March.
Collect W-9s Before You Pay — Not in January
Collecting a W-9 before you pay a vendor prevents the January scramble to file 1099s — here's the four-step routine that keeps you compliant.
Which Rental Utilities Are Tax Deductible in 2026?
Utilities you pay on a rental property are fully deductible — but only if you're the one writing the check and the property is held for rent.
Travel Expenses to Your Rental — What's Deductible in 2026?
Trips to your rental can be deductible if the primary purpose is business — IRS rules hinge on purpose, documentation, and which costs you claim.
Are Tenant Screening Costs Tax Deductible? 2026 Guide
Tenant screening costs — credit checks, background reports, eviction searches — are ordinary rental expenses. Application fees you charge are income.
Tax Extension — What It Doesn't Extend (2026)
A tax extension moves your filing deadline to October, but you still owe estimated tax by April — here's what changes and what doesn't.
Startup Costs for Your First Rental — IRS Rules Explained
The IRS treats startup costs before your first rental is placed in service differently than ongoing expenses — a specific deduction amount applies, then amortization.
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