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
When a Tenant Pays for Repairs, Is It Taxable Income?
The IRS treats tenant-paid repair money as rental income you must report, but the repair cost is usually deductible against it in the same year.
What's Really Included in Mortgage Closing Costs?
Closing costs typically run 2% to 5% of your loan amount, so a $350,000 mortgage can mean $7,000 to $17,500 due at signing.
What Your Family Needs to Know If Something Happens to You
68% of adults have no written record of their home's shutoffs, warranties, or service history, leaving family guessing during an emergency.
What to Fix vs Disclose Before Selling Your Home (2025)
Sellers must disclose known defects in writing in nearly every state, but only some repairs are worth paying for before you list.
What to Fix First in a Fixer-Upper: A Priority Checklist
Fix the roof, electrical, and foundation before anything cosmetic — and know whether each repair is a tax-deductible expense or a capitalized improvement.
What to Do With All That Closing Paperwork (Keep This)
Most closing folders hold 40-100 pages, but only about a dozen documents actually matter for taxes, resale, and repairs down the road.
Escrow Payment Jumped? Here's Why and What to Do Next
An escrow payment jump of $100-$400 a month usually traces back to a property tax reassessment or insurance renewal, and most shortages can be spread over 12 months.
What to Do When You Inherit a Tenant With a Purchase
An inherited tenant's lease survives the sale in nearly every state, and you're on the hook for their deposit even if the old owner never sends it to you.
Tenant Noise Complaints: What to Do When Two Renters Feud
60% of renter disputes involve noise, and how you document the first complaint often decides whether you end up in court six months later.
Tenant Won't Let You In for Repairs? Here's What to Do
A tenant who blocks a scheduled repair visit is still bound by the lease and state entry law — here's how to respond without triggering a bigger dispute.
Tenant Sublets Without Permission? Here's What to Do Next
An unauthorized sublet is a lease violation in most states, and landlords typically have 3 to 30 days to issue a notice to cure or quit.
What to Do When a Tenant Stops Paying Rent: 5 Steps
Rent is late by day 5 in most states before you can even serve a notice, so document, notify, and follow your state's timeline exactly.
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