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
Brick Repointing: How to Restore Crumbling Mortar Joints
Crumbling mortar lets water into a brick wall and eventually loosens the bricks. Repointing restores the joints — here's the right way.
Attic Ventilation: Why Balance Matters (and How to Check It)
A poorly vented attic shortens your roof's life, drives up bills, and causes ice dams. Balanced intake and exhaust fixes it.
Whole-House Humidifier Maintenance: 4 Seasonal Tasks
A whole-house humidifier fights dry winter air — but needs simple seasonal care or it breeds mineral scale and mold.
Water Softener Maintenance: 4 Tasks to Keep It Working
A neglected water softener quietly stops softening — and you only notice from spots and scale. Four tasks keep it working.
Water Pressure Too High? How to Check Your Regulator
Too-high water pressure quietly wears out fixtures, appliances, and pipes. Here's how to test it and dial it in.
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance: 4 Tasks for a Long Life
Tankless heaters last 20+ years — but only with a little yearly care, especially in hard water. Here's the routine.
Recycling and Yard Waste: How to Get It Right
Recycling rules vary wildly by town, and getting them wrong can send a whole bin to the landfill. Here's how to do it right.
Range Hood and Grease Filter: Keep Your Kitchen Air Clean
A grease-clogged range hood is a fire risk and a smell trap. Four habits keep it pulling cooking grime out of your kitchen.
Radon Testing and Mitigation: What Every Homeowner Should Know
Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas and a leading cause of lung cancer — and the only way to know your level is to test.
New Homeowner Checklist: 4 Things to Do the First Week
Before you unpack the last box, four first-week tasks protect your new home and your peace of mind.
Lead Paint Awareness: What to Know Before You Sand or Renovate
Older homes often hide lead paint, and disturbing it the wrong way is a serious health hazard — especially for kids.
Insulating Exposed Pipes: A Cheap Fix for Freezing and Heat Loss
Foam pipe sleeves cost a few dollars and prevent frozen pipes while delivering hotter water faster. Here's how to do it.
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