Chelsea Drinkard No Comments

Florida Top Population Growth

 

Census: Florida defies decline in population growth; nation becomes more diverse

The Sunshine State took the top place for the first time since 1957 in terms of the nation’s highest population growth, according to estimates issued last week by the U.S. Census Bureau Florida saw the country’s most substantial growth. Its expansion revitalizes the economy and makes Florida more appealing and competitive worldwide. The third-largest state in the US had a population growth of 1.9% between July 2021 and July 2022, adding more than 400,000 people to the state’s 22.2 million total, according to Ian Hodgson of the Tampa Bay Times. According to these experts, most people moving last year were older U.S. residents nearing retirement age. 

Remote working increased during the Pandemic in 2020, creating an influx of individuals relocating to Florida to take advantage of the flexibility. We have seen the younger generation moving to Florida in recent years selling their homes in more expensive areas like New York and California. This younger generation is purchasing cheaper properties in Florida. “Cheaper” is no longer what it once was due to the competition for scarce homes brought on by out-of-state money. Comparing prices in the states where transplants are leaving (California and New York), Florida’s record-high numbers are appealing unless you are an existing Florida resident. 

Throughout 2022, South Florida had a decrease in the number of vacant commercial properties, while vacancy rates rose in cities like New York, there were 57,488 New Yorkers who relocated to Florida. It is nothing new, as New Yorkers have been moving to Florida forever. In fact, New Yorkers want to take advantage of cheap taxes, pleasant weather, and a supportive business climate. 

There are two top factors luring people in higher income brackets to Florida. The absence of personal income tax, one of the few states in the US that exempts its citizens from paying state income tax. The overall state tax burden in Florida will be far lower than the majority of states, even with paying sales and property taxes. Secondly,  lifestyle reasons with weather, sandy beaches, amusement parks and outdoor activities. Income for remote workers in these higher income brackets, can go a longer way in the State and enhance their lifestyle as a whole.

Despite the many reasons people are moving to Florida, there are also challenges associated with population growth. As more people move to the state, there is increased demand for housing, transportation, and public services. This can lead to issues such as overcrowding, traffic congestion, and strains on infrastructure.

Overall, Florida’s population growth is a complex issue with both positive and negative impacts. While it has brought new economic opportunities and lifestyle benefits, it has also created challenges related to infrastructure, the environment, and the quality of life for residents. As the state continues to grow, it will be important to carefully manage these issues to ensure that Florida remains a desirable and sustainable place to live for generations to come.



Chelsea Drinkard No Comments

Why Your Neighbors In Your Office Building are Important

What are the different types of office spaces? - Avanta Business Centre

 

The reality is your office neighbors have almost the same impact as the next-store neighbors of your house or apartment. If you are miserable in your office because your office neighbors are too loud, it’s going to be much harder to want to be in your office and get work done. If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful, and professional setting with neighbors who are the same, vice versa. You have to find office neighbors that share the same values as you.

 

Here Are Two Recommendations to Consider When Evaluating an Office Building:

1.Evaluate the Existing Tenants

Take a look at the directory to evaluate what kind of industries of the neighboring Tenants. Are any of the Tenants in the building competing in your industry? Would any of the Tenants be good neighbors to have to refer business back and forth? Check out the parking lot to determine based on the building occupancy, if there is plenty of parking available for the available office space. Some could be over-parking and negatively impact your companies’ experience.

 

2. Are Tenants Considerate in Common Areas

Cleaning after yourself when using the Tenant’s common areas including lounge, conference room and bathroom is a common courtesy and is important to consider when you share common spaces with others. Although majority of office buildings have janitorial services 3-5 times a week, janitorial services typically come in the evening. 

 

A few others include: 

  • Utilizing the smoking areas.
  • Proper hygiene.
  • Having professional behavior is a key component in Tenant common areas. Improper discussions, practical jokes and so on will soon make the workplace unpleasant. 

 

Both of these impact the type of experience your team has in the office building and thus playing a role in their experience at the workplace while your company calls that building home for the next 5+ years.





Chelsea Drinkard No Comments

Impacts of Long-Term Virtual Work

When people switch to working from home, which momentarily can boost the quantity of work they accomplish each day, work-from-home (WFH) employment cannot provide the real benefits of face-to-face interaction, such as learning and new long-term connections. The benefits of in-person work on productivity are better long-term as opposed to the short-term gains from working more at home for potentially unsustainable periods. In-person work stimulates invention. The one-time benefit from the time saved on commutes will be swiftly outpaced by an even slightly greater growth rate once workers return to their offices.

 

Members of the Team have Less Human Interaction.

Not everyone wants to be “besties” with their colleagues and treat their work for work only; however, according to Business Insider interaction helps in providing a productive and enjoyable environment. It’s also a social setting in which employees get to know one another, have casual chats, bounce ideas off one another, connect as a team, and come to appreciate the business culture. Even when you are no longer obligated to attend the monthly standup meeting physically, you might not know how much you’ll miss those free workplace coffees. 

Low Employee Morale

Building relationships with coworkers is more difficult while working from home. There are fewer chances for chance meetings or social gatherings like lunches, and happy hours. 

Inability to Focus

While some professionals find the home environment conducive to concentration and productivity, others are overwhelmed with distractions: children wanting attention, spouses, and roommates interfering, and street sounds boring into the awareness.

Overworking Dangers 

The possibility of working more hours than necessary exists when you telecommute. Burnout and increased work-related stress are unquestionably consequences of this. This may be prevented by carefully outlining your calendar and allotting certain work and personal responsibilities periods. For some people, having a designated workspace where you can leave when the workday is done is essential.



Chelsea Drinkard No Comments

Benefits of Bringing Dogs To the Office!

 

 

Four Benefits of Having Dogs At The Office:

 

During Covid, there was a heightened increase of pet adoption at the Hillsborough County Humane Society. The trend of companies bringing employees back to the office can be a point of concern for new dog owners, who have been home with their furry, loved one. Not just new dog owners, worrying how long you are gone with your furry friend, is a concern for most pet owners. How can you remove that concern from an employee from leaving their dog at home for a long period of time? Can a company experience a paw-sitive impact in the workplace from having dogs?

 

Here are four benefits of having dogs in the workplace:

  • Reduces Stress: 

Allowing dogs in the office has been shown to help employees feel less stressed while also enhancing productivity. When an employee is allowed to bring their dog to work, oxytocin levels rise. Oxytocin is a hormone that relieves stress and decreases cortisol levels in the body and is proven to make you happier. Not only does having a dog lessen stress, but it may also help people laugh and smile more in the workplace. Both of these things help to relieve stress and anxiety. The goofy activities of a dog may instantly lighten the mood at the office.

 

  •  Increases Productivity:

The presence of a dog in the workplace may boost productivity and creativity. Employees may feel more at ease and get along better with one another. Pet owners are more productive and even creative at work when they have their dogs with them. Employees may take brief breaks to walk their dog outside, giving them time away from work. Short periods of time apart have been found by researchers to boost attention to complete tasks. Also, employees are not worried about being away from their dog while working more hours, hence increasing their productivity.

 

  • Bring Your Team Back to the Office:

Bringing dogs to work can boost employee morale. Employees are happier if they do not have to leave their pets alone, unattended at home, or pay for doggy daycare while they are at work. Especially, if employees are newer dog owners (within the last two years) their dogs are more attached (and vice versa) from working from home.  As a result, the office rapidly becomes a more relaxed environment, with happier and more pleased staff.  Employee happiness, motivation, and productivity all improve as a result. Office morale improves, and employees become happier and less anxious about getting home to their dog.

 

  • ​​Health Benefits:

It has been proven that dogs have been linked to a number of general health advantages, including lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels. Pet owners frequently have more of a drive to exercise and do other outdoor activities since pets demand time outside, which can contribute to better health.

 

Do you have a pet policy? Maybe now is the time to consider it as you evaluate how to develop company culture, hire the right folks, increase productivity and overall company morale.

 

Chelsea Drinkard No Comments

Downfalls of Subleasing Office Space

Subleasing office space can offer a more superior building at a lower monthly rent, providing the Tenant the ability to be in the building they desire without the hefty price tag, flexibility of a shorter term and even use of existing furniture. 

There are rights a Tenant, who decides to sublease their space, gives up when subleasing their space. These “rights” are usually located in the “Sublease” clause in the lease between the Landlord and Tenant. 

Two main examples of building signage and an option to renew the lease. 

  1. Right of building signage is more common for a Tenant who is leasing at least a full floor of a building. 
  2. Renewal options are more common in every lease. A renewal could say, “Tenant has a one time option to renew their lease at the current market rate.” If the Tenant decides to sublease their space, majority of the time, the option of the renewal is not passed through to the Sublease. 

What does this mean for a Subtenant?

Any terms that were agreed upon for a renewal, the Subtenant does not have a right to and is subject to whatever the current market rate and how the Landlord is marketing the building. 

There are two potential issue could arise when not having a renewal option:

  1. A Tenant in the building could have First Right of Offer to the said sublease space at the end of the term, this Tenant has first position and priority over the Subtenant, to lease the space.
  2. The current market rate could be higher than the Subtenant’s budget. If the Subtenant would like to move into a relationship as Tenant to the Landlord but cannot afford a direct deal the Subtenant will have to relocate. 

 Having a Tenant Representative can bring clarity when evaluating the best decision for your business to choose a sublease or a lease a space directly