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
Smart Locks: Convenient or a Security Risk? (2024 Guide)
Smart locks cut rekeying costs after tenant turnover but add a Wi-Fi vulnerability that traditional deadbolts never had to worry about.
Smart Home Privacy: What Your Devices Are Recording
Video doorbells store footage for 30-60 days, smart speakers keep voice clips indefinitely unless you delete them, and most owners never check.
Smart Garage Door Openers: Worth the Upgrade in 2024?
A smart garage door opener costs $130 to $300 installed and pays back mostly in peace of mind, not in dollars saved.
Smart Bulbs vs Smart Switches: Which Should You Get?
Smart bulbs cost $10-50 each and need no wiring, while smart switches cost $15-30 but require a neutral wire and 30 minutes of install time.
Slab vs Crawlspace vs Basement: Foundation Types Explained
Slab foundations cost 10-15% less than basements but offer zero storage, while crawlspaces sit in between on price, moisture risk, and repair access.
Single-Pole vs Three-Way Switch: How to Tell Them Apart
A single-pole switch has 2 brass terminals and one "on/off" position; a three-way has 3 terminals and no marked positions at all.
Should Your Lease Include a Mold Addendum? What Landlords Need to Know
A mold addendum can shift routine mold-prevention duties to tenants, but it won't protect a landlord from liability for a moisture problem they knew about and ignored.
Should You Turn Off Your AC When You Leave? The Real Cost
Turning your AC completely off can raise indoor humidity past 60% within hours, inviting mold, while a smarter setback saves nearly the same money.
Repair or Replace a Leaking Dishwasher? Here's the Math
A dishwasher leak costing under $200 to fix and under 8 years old is worth repairing; past that, replacement usually wins on cost and risk.
Repair or Replace a 12-Year-Old Fridge? Here's the Math
A 12-year-old fridge sits right at the edge of its average 13-year lifespan, so a repair over $400 usually isn't worth it.
Rent to the First Qualified Applicant? A Landlord's Fair Housing Rule
Renting to the first applicant who meets your written screening criteria is the safest default because it removes the appearance of picking and choosing.
Paint or Refinish Kitchen Cabinets? Cost, Time & Durability
Painting cabinets runs $1,200-$4,000 and takes a weekend, while professional refinishing costs $3,000-$10,000 but restores real wood grain for 15+ years.
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