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
Do You Get a PMI Refund When You Cancel? Here's the Truth
PMI refunds are rare and only apply to lender-paid or single-premium policies, not the monthly PMI most borrowers pay each month.
Do New Windows, Doors, or Insulation Earn a Tax Credit?
A federal tax credit for windows, doors, and insulation exists, but it's built around homes you live in, not units rented out full-time to tenants.
Do Home Security Systems Actually Deter Burglars? (Data)
Homes with visible security systems are burglarized 60% less often, and 83% of convicted burglars check for an alarm before breaking in.
DIY or Hire a Pro? A Homeowner's Decision Guide (2024)
Electrical, gas, and structural work almost always needs a licensed pro, while cosmetic fixes under $200 in tools are usually safe to DIY yourself.
Depreciating Land Improvements: Fences, Driveways & More
Fences, driveways, and walkways depreciate over 15 years under MACRS, not the 27.5 years used for the rental building itself.
Depreciating Furniture and Appliances in a Furnished Rental
Furniture and appliances in a furnished rental depreciate over 5 years under MACRS, separate from the 27.5-year schedule for the building itself.
Depreciating a Rental That Sat Vacant Between Tenants
A rental stays depreciable during normal vacancy between tenants as long as it's held out for rent, even for 60, 90, or 200+ days.
Deducting Unpaid Rent: Why Cash-Basis Landlords Usually Can't
IRC Section 166 requires a bad debt to have first been reported as income, which is why most cash-basis landlords can't deduct unpaid rent.
Deducting Refinance Points: The Spread-It-Out Rule Explained
Refinance points aren't deducted all at once — the IRS makes you spread the write-off over the life of the loan, usually 1/360th per month.
Deducting Pest Control & Service Contracts: Landlord Tax Guide
Pest control and recurring service contracts are fully deductible operating expenses on Schedule E in the year you pay them, not depreciated.
Deducting Mortgage Interest on Two Homes at Once: The $750K Rule
You can deduct mortgage interest on two homes if combined debt stays under $750,000 and you itemize on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction.
Deducting Bank & Payment Fees on Rental Income (2024)
Bank fees, ACH charges, and credit card processing costs on rent payments are fully deductible on Schedule E as ordinary business expenses.
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