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
After a Claim, Who Pays the HOA Insurance Deductible?
Master policy deductibles run $5,000 to $25,000 or more, and most CC&Rs let the HOA pass that cost to the unit owner where damage started.
Advance Rent: Why the IRS Taxes It the Year You Get It
The IRS treats advance rent as taxable income the moment you receive it, not when the lease period it covers actually begins.
Actual Cash Value vs Replacement Cost: What Pays More?
A 15-year-old roof paid out at actual cash value might net you $4,000 less than replacement cost coverage on the exact same claim.
Accidental Landlord: Turning an Old House Into a Rental (2026)
An old house needs a safety and systems check before it becomes a rental — here's the 2026 checklist to avoid a lawsuit or a lease you'll regret.
A Simple System for Organizing Appliance Manuals (2024)
A 3-part folder-plus-photo system keeps every appliance manual, receipt, and serial number findable in under 30 seconds when something breaks.
A Seasonal Home Maintenance Calendar You Can Actually Stick To
A working seasonal home maintenance calendar has 4 short check-ins a year, not 40 tasks — here's the version homeowners actually finish.
Grab-and-Go Evacuation Folder: What to Pack in 2024
A grab-and-go evacuation folder needs 12 categories of documents and takes about 20 minutes to assemble, and most households skip at least half of them.
A First-Time Buyer's Guide to Reading a Purchase Agreement
A purchase agreement is the legally binding contract that locks in your price, deadlines, and exit clauses before you own the property.
9 First-Time Landlord Mistakes That Cost Money in Year One
Missing the $2,500 de minimis safe harbor and filing 1099s at the wrong threshold are two of the priciest mistakes first-time landlords make.
8 Home Jobs You Should Never DIY (Call a Pro Instead)
About 51,000 home electrical fires happen in the US each year, and panel work is one of 8 jobs that belong to a licensed pro, not a weekend DIYer.
7 Red Flags to Spot During a Home Showing (Before You Buy)
7 red flags during a home showing — hairline cracks, musty smells, a 100-amp panel — can point to repairs costing $5,000 to $30,000 later.
7 Move-In Inspection Mistakes That Cost You the Deposit Fight
Missing timestamps, vague checklists, and no tenant signature are the top reasons landlords lose small-claims deposit disputes over move-in condition.
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