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
HOA Committee Structure — Which Committees Your Board Actually Needs
Most HOAs only need 2-3 working committees, not the 6-8 that bylaws often list, and running unused ones wastes volunteer hours every year.
HOA Collections Policy — What Every Board Should Adopt Now
A written HOA collections policy with fixed late-fee triggers and lien timelines cuts delinquency disputes and protects boards from selective-enforcement claims.
HOA Budget Ratification Meeting: What Owners Can and Can't Do
In most states owners can only reject an HOA budget with a majority vote against it, not a majority in favor of it.
HOA Board Term Limits: Pros, Cons & How to Set Them (2026)
Most HOA term limits cap board seats at two or three consecutive years, but state law rarely requires them at all — here's how boards decide.
HOA Board Meeting vs. Membership Meeting: Key Differences
A board meeting handles day-to-day HOA business with directors only voting, while a membership meeting lets every owner vote on budgets, elections, and bylaw changes.
HOA Balance Sheet vs Income Statement: What Each One Tells You
An HOA balance sheet shows what the association owns and owes on one date, while the income statement shows money in and out over a period.
HOA Bad Debt Write-Off — When and How Boards Should Do It
Most HOAs write off delinquent dues only after 180+ days and a documented collection effort, recording the loss as bad debt expense, not a forgiven balance.
HELOC Closing Costs: What to Expect in 2025
HELOC closing costs typically run $0 to $2,500 depending on the lender, with appraisal and title fees making up most of the bill.
Hard Water Is Quietly Destroying Your Appliances (Fix It)
Hard water above 7 grains per gallon can cut appliance lifespan by 30-50% through mineral buildup in pipes, heaters, and valves.
Grouping Rental Activities: The IRS Election Explained
The rental grouping election under Reg. 1.469-9 lets landlords combine properties into one activity to meet the 750-hour real estate professional test.
Gifting Your Home to Kids? The Carryover-Basis Trap Explained
A gifted home keeps your original cost basis, so your children could owe capital gains tax on decades of appreciation the moment they sell.
Getting Your Home Ready for Hurricane Season: 2024 Checklist
Hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, and homes that skip a $200 pre-season roof and gutter check face far costlier storm damage later.
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