Non-Compete agreements are a staple in the CRE industry; but will the FTC's ruling outlaw them going forward? Tune in as we discuss and define a non-compete agreement and look at the two ways this ruling could be interpreted. We also look at the continued concerns in the office sector for landlords - while office tenants gain the upper hand. We tra…

The office sector continues to dominate the national news as the debt crisis has the potential to drag the U.S. economy into a recession over the rest of 2024. Four major U.S. banks issued warnings recently of the problems with both current loan payments and maturing debt. Tune in as we deconstruct the news and discuss what's next for the office se…

The Office Sector continues to dominate the commercial real estate news - but it's not good news. Continued diminished demand, higher than expected inflation, and a federal government office space bubble lie ahead for property owners. In today's podcast, we discuss the impact of inflation to the business community and look at a few key deals and fa…

The office sector of commercial real estate faces several hurdles before a full recovery takes place. Hurdle one: work-from-home that is sticky and part of today's work culture. Hurdle two: A.I. is forecasted to grow in the workplace displacing jobs. Hurdle three: the federal governement occupies very little of its leased office space, as low as 14…

The office sector of commercial real estate continues to dominate the attention of the news, investors, property owners, tenants, and brokers - with good reason. With 80% of companies offering flexible work schedules (such as work-from-home), coworking demand ramps up in demand as traditional office demand diminishes. How will this impact the offic…

What is commercial real estate? Is the office valid today or is the office an old-fashioned ideology that faded with bow ties and IBM blue suites? In a post-pandemic world, the need to understand commercial real estate has never been more important. In today's podcast, get an inside seat to a speech Jorge delivered at a book launch event in 2017 at…

Has the Miami office market, namely, the Brickell Avenue office market simmered down? Today we discuss in detail a recent Wall Street Journal article aimed at Miami's hottest market, Brickell Avenue. We'll look at the current conditions including the current Class A rate and occupancy, and walk through three new office development projects. Availab…

We've read much of the lower occupancy in the CRE industry from both vacancy and work-from-home employees. But what are the domino effects of lower occupancy? Today we discuss the impact of the slowdown in the office sector on cities: namely through devaluation which leads to lower taxes. Tune in to this weekly look at commercial real estate. We tr…

In today's weekly look at commercial real estate news, we discuss the causes that led to several national CRE firms ending 2023 with posted losses. Is this a reflection of things to come for commercial real estate or a reaction to what's already taken place? We also consider the continuing saga of office occupancy or lack thereof with work from hom…

In today's podcast, we consider the recent $355 million fine by New York against Donald Trump and the implications for other commercial real estate investors in New York. Will this have a trickle-down effect or will this be an isolated incident? We will also discuss two struggling sectors in commercial real estate; namely indoor malls and the offic…

Billionaire real estate developer Moshe Mana recently offered his insight to Miami's growth potential as the global financial capital of the world at a South Florida Office Broker's Association luncheon hosted by Collier's at Museum Tower in Downtown Miami. Contact the show if you are interested in attending future monthly luncheons. With permissio…

Nearly a year has passed since the last Don't Sign the Lease Podcast, and we now have a better picture of what's happening in commercial real estate. Join us as we unfold commercial real estate highlights in 2023. Stay tuned as we plan to bring snapshots of key South Florida office markets in future episodes. Jorge L. Morales is President of the in…

Today is the final new content podcast of the Don't Sign the Lease Podcast. We'll be transitioning the podcast to a new Florida market specific podcast coming soon. In today's podcast, we look at the commercial real estate world shedding jobs as well as big tech. WeWork announces the closure of 40 locations and we discuss the prospects of a recessi…

Category 4 Hurricane Ian slammed into the west coast of Florida this week leaving hundreds stranded, many lives lost and much real estate damaged. Our prayers go out to the many who have been impacted by the storm.

Major companies like Apple and Ally Financial have mandated a return to the office (RTO) post Labor Day weekend. While the mandates roll out, the five day work week seems like a relic from the past as most companies require just 1, 2 or 3 days a week from the office. Will this trend weather a Recession storm? What amenities will it take to attract …

In today's episode, we consider office demand for end of Q2 2022 as we look ahead to the rest of the year. We also discuss the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act - calling for the spending of over $400 billion to reduce inflation? Yes, spending is what led to inflation...and we discuss in detail ESG and why your small business needs to be awar…

Miami continues to receive out of town corporate relocations. In today's podcast we discuss several of the key recent lease transactions in Brickell, Coral Gables, and Doral. We track commercial real estate so you can focus on your business. Jorge Morales is founder and president of Blue Box Real Estate, LLC, an independent commercial real estate f…

The Recession bearing down on the office sector coupled with corporate America's adoption of work from home strategy have many wondering if we've entered into an Office Apocalypse. Tune into this weekly look at commercial real estate news. We track commercial real estate so you can focus on your business. Give us a thumbs up and subscribe to the po…

Irrespective of what our political leaders and the media label the recent economic news: two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth equals a Recession. While it's fun to watch the media try to put a positive spin on the recession of 2022, the impact to commercial real estate is already being felt. Tune in to today's podcast as look at the turb…

Miami snags another blue state corporation; Citadel to relocate from Chicago to Miami. Citadel enters with two massive real estate deals in the Brickell area. Sublease space continues to grow in Florida, but is mainly concentrated in central Florida. Tune in to this weekly look at commercial real estate. We track commercial real estate so you can f…

In today's podcast we take a deep dive on two national stories involving CRE giants. CBRE is in the news on a major lawsuit accused by a property owner of multiple conflicts of interest (alleged). Cushman & Wakefield is in contempt of court for not turning over all requested documents from the AG of New York. We track CRE in order that you may focu…

There is a real tug of war between workers and employers - some employers like Tesla have given ultimatums: work from the office 40 hours a week or find another job. Have American workers become entitled? Is a five-day work week in the office harsh work conditions? In today's podcast we explore recent employee and employer surveys on remote work. W…

South Florida housing market cooled off in April - is this the tip of a major housing correction iceberg? Or a momentary, I have to pay my taxes in April blip? We'll find out. RTO has also cooled off as major employers such as Apple pivot to keep employees home. Tune in to this weekly look at commercial real estate. We track commercial real estate …

As we move towards mid-2022, headwinds can be felt coming off the horizon heading straight towards the commercial real estate recovery efforts. Work from home implementation for office tenants, record high rents, rising construction costs and supply shortages, cost of funds, government regulations, wars, stock market crash, and oh - remnants of the…

Tenant's Bill of Rights? That's what Miami-Dade County Mayor proposed to favor tenants to the detriment of landlords. While this apparently only applies to residential, it's only a matter of time until the concept trickles down to commercial real estate. One major U.S. city has already applied rent controls. But is this the role of government or is…

Miami is destination number one for big tech, financial services, banking and a host of many other industries. What sets Miami and the South Florida region apart? Why are so many firms flocking New York and other areas of the country to Miami? In today's podcast, we visit with May's edition of Florida Trend and their coverage of Miami at a glance. …

Florida and Disney are atop every headline with the Florida legislatures recent vote to strip Disney of their special tax incentives and self-governing provisions after Disney failed to "stay in their lane". But are we asking the right questions: is it right for government to give special tax provisions and regulations to big corporations and not t…

"Putin's Inflation" - Really? Our politicians attempt to pass the blame for rising prices on the recent war doesn't hold up to facts. Inflation hit 5% in May of 2021 and increased each month with the exception of one month. Inflation hit 7% in December of 2021, 7.5% in January 2022, and 7.9% in February of 2022 - all before Putin invaded Ukraine. I…

A recent survey revealed that 50% of office workers would resign if required to return to the office. What does this mean the future demand for office space in America? Major institutional owners of Class B and C office buildings in New York and Chicago have recently turned the keys over to their lenders. In today's podcast, we consider all the fla…

As New York City goes, so goes Miami. In today's podcast, we discuss recent office deals signed in New York City and discuss office demand and the gap between the haves and have nots. Own a Class B or C office building in a major metro-market? It may be time to consider major renovations or alternative uses. What can office landlords do to attract …

Office tenants tune in: what are the priciest US markets? The pandemic temporarily slowed the progress of office rents and sales prices, but over 2021, the numbers came roaring back for many US markets. Further, we discuss two major lease transactions in NYC and Miami and consider other news relating to commercial real estate. We track commercial r…

Cryptocurrency continues to grow in influence and importance - as highlighted by the current events in Ukraine. In today's podcast, we explore the impact of cryptocurrency and the new to market blockchain companies heading to Miami. We also discuss office demand and rent growth year over year, which markets outperformed expectations and which marke…

Have workers returned to the office? Do they even want to? Do employers and employees agree on the future work day/schedule? What can office landlords do to attract tenants? Where is demand for office space heading? All this and more as we review recent articles and news related to office demand and worker returns to the office. Please consider lik…

Today, we continue with Part Two of the Miami Office Market Outlook and review the Downtown Miami, Coral Gables and Miami Airport submarkets. We discuss rental rates, occupancy, absorption, large transactions, sales and more. Learn about the current state of the Miami office market. Please like and subscribe to the Podcast. We track commercial real…

Back after a few months hiatus, today we discuss the Miami Office Market and take a look at what happened in 2021 with an outlook to 2022. We also explore Brickell Avenue in great detail and review the new to market transactions that defined the last 12 months. How has Miami weathered the pandemic? Did office rates rise or fall? Tune in. Please con…

South Florida continues weekly to provide us with large CRE transactions including the sale of a nearly 260k square foot office portfolio and a major crypto currency firm announces plans to leave New York for Miami. In today's podcast, we also discuss what office tenants desire from their landlords in a post pandemic world, and what a recent survey…

Is the Amazon boom a positive or a negative for the industrial markets? What's the impact to small business? What happens if Amazon slows down its growth or experiences a set back? In today's podcast we consider the Amazon effect to commercial real estate and we take our talents to South Beach and consider the Miami Beach Class A office market. Tun…

The first quarter in 2021 produced several large leases and renewals in South Florida. In today's podcast, we consider the largest deals signed in 2021, and we discuss the top publicly traded national CRE firms office outlook for the rest of 2021. Tune in to this weekly look at commercial real estate news and events. We track commercial real estate…

South Florida investment deals have heated up again after a one year pause due to the pandemic. In today's weekly look at commercial real estate news, we focus the podcast on the major office buildings and investment grade properties that have traded in recent weeks. Today we discuss: Top sales of the quarter Weston Corporate Center sold Miami Cent…

Have your workers returned to the office? If not, when? In today's podcast we discuss the views of two REITs on when they expect the office community to return to work. Additional topics include Biden's new tax plan and its affect on commercial real estate industry, another tech company chooses Miami as a corporate hub, and the cruise industry is s…

The March jobs reports are in for Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County. Did we gain jobs or continued losing jobs? How did office sector jobs perform? Retail jobs? Tune in to today's podcast. The jobs report may surprise you. We also discuss the effect of the vaccine in the overall all absorption trends in the office sector, and look at why l…

Who will fill up the empty office space going forward? When will employers require employees to return to the office? Will coworking make a come back and bail out office landlords? Why did ACI Worldwide chose Miami as its new corporate hub. Tune in to today's podcast. We track commercial real estate so you can focus on your business. Please conside…

Ever heard of the true Easter Story? What's Good Friday all about? Find out in today's special edition - Happy Easter episode. Tune in as Jorge Morales reads from the gospel of Luke's account of the arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Next week, we'll get back to covering commercial real estate news and events as usual, but t…

What's the commercial real estate confidence levels? What do commercial real estate brokers think of work from home strategies? Find out in today's podcast. We track commercial real estate so you can focus on your business. Other CRE topics discussed include: Blackstone makes further enormous investment in Miami New York lawmakers introduce more ch…

Is commercial real estate on the up and up or the down and down? Bankruptcy and New Business dominated the commercial real estate news cycle this week. In today's podcast we discuss the top ten concepts landlords must understand regarding bankruptcy. We also discuss new jobs heading to South Florida from new to market relocations. Tune in to this w…

What will determine office demand in 2021 and beyond - WFH! Work from home (WFH) implementation by the corporate world will play a factor in the commercial real estate industry recovery. In today's podcast we consider the long term impact of WFH to the office sector and discuss: More retail closings coming soon Big tech continues to shed space Law …

When will commercial real estate recover? Are months from a turn? Will the turn happen in the fall? What about 2022 or 2023? The predictions of the recovery of commercial real estate are all over the map. Tune in and find out what the experts think of commercial real estate. We track commercial real estate so you can focus on your business. In toda…

Caliente is Spanish for hot, sizzling - and that perfectly describes the commercial real estate scene in Miami. Tune in today's podcast and learn about: Miami grocer seeks to open seven new sights in Florida Amazon seeks to open another huge fulfillment center in South Floridan creating 1,000 jobs Microsoft eyes Brickell Avenue for major corporate …

Coworking giants Knotel, Industrious, and WeWork are back in the news. How has coworking faired in the pandemic? Yelp announces permanent work from home option for their employees - is this a trend that will shake up commercial real estate in 2021? Is the 9 to 5 work day dead? Tune in this weekly outlook on commercial real estate. We track commerci…

Transition will define the Miami Office Market in 2021 as office tenants transition from short term decisions to long term strategies - even if by default. What's in store for Miami Office in 2021? Tune in and learn about each of the four major Class A Office Submarkets in Miami including: Brickell Avenue Coral Gables Miami Airport Downtown Miami W…