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
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.
How to Know If Your HOA Reserves Are Underfunded
An underfunded HOA reserve shows warning signs long before the special assessment notice hits. Here's what to check — and what percent-funded really means.
HOA Reserve Study Cost in 2026
A reserve study for a typical mid-sized community runs $3,000–$8,000 for a full study and about half that for an update — a fraction of what a surprise assessment costs.
What Is an HOA Reserve Study, and Do We Need One?
A reserve study estimates when major components will fail and how much cash the HOA needs on hand — the single most important document for avoiding surprise special assessments.
What Is HOA Quorum, and Why Does It Matter?
Quorum is the minimum owner participation required for an HOA vote to count. Miss it and the vote is challengeable — always check your own bylaws for the number.
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