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
Foundation Settling vs. Cracking: How to Tell the Difference
Cracks wider than 1/4 inch, doors that stick, and floors that slope more than 1 inch over 20 feet point to settling, not surface cracking.
How to Tell If Your Deck Railings Meet Code (36" Rule & More)
Most US building codes require deck railings at least 36 inches tall with gaps no wider than 4 inches between balusters, yet many older decks fail both tests.
How to Tell If Your AC Is Low on Refrigerant (7 Signs)
A refrigerant leak of just 10% can cut your AC's cooling capacity by 20% or more, and ice on the lines is usually the first visible clue.
Full Tear-Off or Roof Overlay? How to Decide (2024 Guide)
Most codes cap roofs at two shingle layers, so if yours already has one layer and it's failing, a tear-off is your only legal option.
How to Tell If You Have a Federal Pacific Panel (2025 Guide)
Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels were installed in an estimated 28 million US homes and studies found some breakers fail to trip during an overload.
How to Tell If a Bowing Wall Needs Carbon Fiber Straps
A bowing basement wall with less than 2 inches of inward movement can often be stabilized with carbon fiber straps instead of full excavation or replacement.
How to Take Photos That Rent a Unit Faster (7 Proven Tips)
Rental listings with 20+ quality photos rent 32% faster than those with fewer than 10 — here's how to shoot yours right.
How to Switch HOA Management Companies Without Chaos (2024)
Most HOA management transitions take 60-90 days and fail when boards skip the 30-day written notice required by their contract.
How to Swap and Store Window Screens Seasonally (4 Steps)
Swapping window screens twice a year extends their life by 5+ years and cuts heating costs by up to 15% in older homes with storm windows.
How to Survey Homeowners on Community Priorities (4 Steps)
A well-designed homeowner survey gets 3× the response rate of a poorly worded one — here's how to ask questions that drive real decisions.
How to Straighten Bent AC Condenser Fins (4-Step Guide)
Bent AC condenser fins block 20-50% of airflow and cost you 5-15% more in cooling bills — here's how to straighten them in 20 minutes.
How to Straighten a Whole Row of Leaning Fence Posts
A 6-foot fence post buried only 18 inches deep will lean within 5-10 years, but most rows can be straightened and reset without pulling every post.
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