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
7 Signs of Hidden Rot Under Your Siding (Before It Spreads)
Soft spots, bubbling paint, and a hollow knock on your siding can mean rot has been spreading behind it for 2-3 years already.
7 Reasons Your AC Runs But Won't Cool the House
A dirty filter, low refrigerant, or a clogged condensate line can leave your AC running nonstop while the house stays warm and humid.
7 Places Burglars Look First and How Landlords Can Beat Them
Burglars check 7 predictable spots first, and landlords who upgrade security can often expense the cost under the $2,500 de minimis safe harbor.
7 Lease Clauses Every Independent Landlord Must Understand
Seven lease clauses — late fees, security deposits, quiet enjoyment, repairs, renewal caps, pets, and early termination — decide most disputes.
7 Garage Door Safety Checks You're Forgetting (Do These Now)
A 2,000-lb garage door can crush a car or a child in under a second, and most homeowners haven't tested the safety reverse in years.
7 Fence Maintenance Jobs You're Forgetting Every Year
Most fences fail at the post base first, often 5-8 years before the boards look worn, and a $20 check catches it before a $2,000 replacement.
7 Driveway Jobs You're Forgetting Before Winter (Do This Now)
A quarter-inch crack left unsealed in October can grow into a full pothole by March, once freeze-thaw cycles get inside it.
7 Deck Maintenance Jobs You're Forgetting Every Spring
A loose ledger board or corroded joist hanger causes most deck collapses, and 90% of failures trace back to skipped spring checks.
7 Cheap Weatherproofing Fixes That Pay for Themselves Fast
Sealing gaps around windows, doors, and outlets can cut a home's air leakage by up to 30%, often paying back the cost within one heating season.
7 Appliance Maintenance Tasks You're Forgetting (Do This Now)
Skipping dryer vent cleaning and fridge coil dusting can cut appliance lifespan by 30% or more and cost you $200-$800 in avoidable repairs.
6 Warning Signs Your Sewer Line Is About to Back Up
Gurgling toilets and slow drains on every fixture at once usually mean a sewer line clog, not a single bad pipe, and it's cheaper to catch early.
6 Things to Check Before Calling a Plumber for a Clog
A $150-$300 plumber visit can often be avoided by checking these six things first, from plunger technique to whether more than one drain is backing up.
Get free property tips by email
New guides on taxes, rent, and maintenance — sent as we write them, not on a schedule. No schedule, no spam — unsubscribe anytime.
Prefer to dive in? Get started free →