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
Can a New Appraisal Get Your PMI Removed Early?
A new appraisal can cut years off your PMI if it shows your loan balance is 75% or less of your home's current value.
First Rental Property Due Diligence: 12 Things to Check
A missed roof or plumbing issue can cost $5,000 or more after closing — here's the due-diligence checklist first-time landlords need before signing.
Buying New Construction: 12 Questions to Ask Your Builder
A 10-year structural warranty is standard, but the 1-year workmanship warranty is where most new-construction problems actually surface.
Vacation Home vs Rental: How to Decide in 2025
The IRS uses a 14-day rule to decide if your second home counts as personal use or rental — and it changes your tax bill significantly.
Buying a Home Contingent on Selling Yours: How It Works
A home sale contingency lets you buy a new house only after yours sells, but in competitive markets sellers reject roughly 30-40% of these offers outright.
Buyer Walk-Through Before Closing: What They're Really Checking
The final walk-through happens 24-48 hours before closing, and buyers spend most of that time checking outlets, water flow, and repair receipts.
Buy vs. Rent: How to Run the Real Numbers Yourself
The 5% rule compares annual ownership costs to rent in seconds — here's how to calculate it and the four numbers most buyers forget.
Bridge Loans Explained: Buy Before Your Home Sells in 2025
Bridge loans typically charge 1-2% in origination fees plus a rate 1-2 points above a standard mortgage, letting you buy before your current home sells.
Boot in a 1031 Exchange — The Part You Still Pay Tax On
Boot is any cash, debt relief, or non-like-kind property you receive in a 1031 exchange, and it's taxable in the year of the exchange even if the rest is deferred.
Bidding Wars: How to Handle Multiple Offers Without Regret
Sellers with 3+ offers should compare financing strength and contingencies, not just price, and always secure a signed backup offer before closing.
First-Time Landlord Checklist: 4 Things to Set Up First
A $2,000 1099 threshold starts in 2026, and it's one of at least four things a first-time landlord needs sorted before a tenant signs the lease.
Baseline, Threshold & Full Funding for HOA Reserves Explained
Full funding means an HOA's reserves match 100% of the value of aging components, while baseline funding just avoids running the account to zero.
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