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
Do HOA Board Members Need Liability Insurance?
HOA board members can be personally sued for board decisions. Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance, carried by the association, is what protects them — not their homeowners policy.
How HOA Architectural Review Committees Work
An ARC reviews exterior changes — paint, fencing, additions — against the community's design standards before you start work. Skipping approval risks a fine and a forced tear-down.
HOA Annual Meeting Requirements — What's Legally Required?
Most states and bylaws require HOAs to hold at least one annual meeting with advance written notice, a quorum, and specific agenda items like budget approval and elections.
First-Year Homeowner Tax Checklist
Your first tax year as a homeowner involves new deductions (mortgage interest, points, property tax) and new record-keeping habits (basis tracking) that pay off for decades.
First-Time Homeowner Budget Basics
Beyond your mortgage payment, budget 1-4% of home value annually for maintenance, plus separate lines for property tax, insurance, and an emergency fund for surprises.
Your First 30 Days as a New Landlord
The first 30 days matter more than any other stretch — get the lease, insurance, and rent tracking set up correctly before your first tenant issue tests whether the foundation holds.
How to Find a Reliable Contractor (Checklist)
Verify license and insurance before anything else, get 3 written estimates, check references from jobs done 1+ years ago, and never pay the full amount upfront.
Digital vs. Paper Home Records — What Actually Needs to Stay Physical?
Most home records are better digital — searchable, backed up, accessible anywhere. A short list genuinely needs a physical original: the deed, in some states the title, and anything requiring a wet-ink signature.
Creating a Home Emergency Contact List
A useful home emergency contact list has 8 entries — utilities, a trusted plumber and electrician, your insurance agent, and a neighbor — posted somewhere everyone in the house can find it.
What Is Escrow at Closing?
Escrow at closing is a neutral third party (usually title/escrow company) holding funds and documents until both parties fulfill contract obligations, then disbursing to close the transaction.
VA Loan Basics for Veterans
VA loans offer 0% down, no PMI, and competitive rates for eligible veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses. The funding fee (2.15-3.3%) is the trade-off.
USDA Rural Loans Explained
USDA loans offer 0% down for buyers in eligible rural areas earning up to 115% of area median income. "Rural" includes many small towns and outer suburbs, not just farms.
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