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
Should I Refinance If I'll Move in 3 Years?
A great rate doesn't automatically pay off on a 3-year timeline. Compare your break-even month to your move date — the answer is usually clear once you do.
How to Calculate Refinance Break-Even in 60 Seconds
Refinance math is one simple division: total closing costs divided by monthly savings. If the answer is fewer months than you'll stay, refinance wins.
Recast vs Refinance a Mortgage — What's the Difference?
Recasting and refinancing sound similar but solve different problems. A recast keeps your rate and lowers your payment. A refinance replaces the whole loan.
Property Tax Exemptions Seniors Qualify For
Senior property tax relief programs exist in most states, but families often don't find out until after missing a deadline. Homestead, circuit breaker, and assessment caps.
How to Price a Rental in 2026 (5 Steps)
Wrong rent price costs money either way — vacancy above market, lost income below. The 5-step process starts with comps and ends with condition adjustments.
How Much Does a Plumber Charge Per Hour in 2026?
Typical plumber rates run $75-$150/hour plus a $75-$150 service call fee, higher for emergency and after-hours. Get two quotes for anything over $500.
What Can Landlords Legally Ask on a Rental Application?
Income, employment, rental history, and credit — with consent — are fair game. Anything touching protected classes is off-limits. The rule: same criteria for every applicant.
Landlord Insurance vs Homeowners — What Changes?
The day a home becomes a rental, its insurance changes. A homeowners policy may not cover a rental at all — a landlord policy adds loss-of-rent and different liability.
I Inherited a House — Do I Owe Taxes If I Sell?
Most of the value you inherited isn't taxable at all — thanks to the stepped-up basis. Selling soon after inheriting often means little to no gain.
How Often Should I Service My HVAC?
Twice a year — once for cooling before summer, once for heating before winter — plus regular filter changes. Skipping a season is how small issues become expensive ones.
Do I Depreciate a New HVAC or Expense It?
One IRS test decides whether a rental expense hits Schedule E this year or gets depreciated over decades — miss it and you can lose years of deductions.
How Much Homeowners Insurance Do I Actually Need?
Coverage should match rebuild cost, not market value. Also check liability, personal property, and additional-living-expense limits — they matter more than most owners realize.
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 →