When it comes to launching a business, many entrepreneurs are looking for maximum profit and an extensive consumer market, so they automatically gravitate toward large, well-known cities.  While that’s not always a bad thing, it does mean that business owners are missing out on potentially great opportunities in smaller cities and suburban areas that might end up reaping a better profit than the large city would, and in far less time. Lakeland is a beautiful mix of big-city opportunity and amenities with a small-town feel.  While we are by no means tiny or rural, we also don’t compete with our neighboring giants, Tampa or Orlando.  Why?  Well, we continually encourage hopeful business owners to take a good look at our city here in Lakeland when deciding to spread their wings and launch their dream because:

• The market here in Lakeland is less saturated.  Large cities are where small-business startups tend to gather, so the market gets overwhelmed with options and these businesses either stay stagnant and fail to thrive, or they die altogether.  Lakeland, on the other hand, has plenty of diversity in types of businesses, but fewer options of each, so you are more likely to have a successful launch and steady growth rate.
• Better connections mean higher chance of success.  In large, overwhelming cities you are likely to start out with few, if any, major business connections.  Small businesses rarely have the option of joining the well-known chambers of commerce or community organizations since they typically cost money, and can also be limited to businesses of a certain size.  Unfortunately you are less likely to grow quickly.  With smaller cities, you can make helpful networking connections quickly, and those connections can help spring your business growth upward.
• Lower operation costs mean you gain profit.  Large cities cost more, and that means you are more likely to be waiting for a while until you see your first paycheck result from your company’s operation.  Rent prices and real estate, cost of materials, average wage for employees, etc. are all driven up in large cities, and it could mean your overhead outweighs the profit.  In a city like Lakeland, you will have the same options as large cities, especially with our neighbors like Tampa and Orlando having such extensive resources to pull from, but your cost will likely be less.

If you are ready to make your dream come true, Lorio and Associates is here to help you plant your roots here in Lakeland.  We can hunt down the perfect piece of property here in the heart of Central Florida since we manage and oversee the leasing and sales of all types of property in Lakeland, from single business offices to full shopping centers.  We even have open properties ready to be built on, so you can start with a blank canvas.  The choice is yours!  Give us a call to make an appointment.

Lorio and Associates has a lot of experience with all types of office spaces.  We sell, lease out, and manage countless office properties, from full-scale business complexes, to individual, single-room offices.  When choosing to lease, making the most of your space with the least amount of impact, both financial and physical, is important to many businessmen/women.

So, how can you maximize your rented office space?

First, consider how you’ll use the leased area.  If you will need several work zones for employees but don’t have enough individual offices within your rented space, it might be wise to invest in cubicles or room dividers.  These give you the ability to have “faux walls”, that are both mobile and functional.  If you need a large, open area for an office meeting or gathering, the cubicle dividers can be moved out of the way; whereas, for a standard work day, they can divide space and give each employee a sense of privacy and control over their portion of the environment.

Secondly, think about areas that can perform more than one duty.  When you don’t have a separate waiting room for example, using large houseplants, pieces of art, etc. can serve as a visual barrier between in an area where you might have a meeting with a client and an area with chairs for those next to be seen.  By having some visual barrier, you give a sense of separation. Having music playing softly in the waiting area helps as well, since it helps prevent the compromising of your customers’ or clients’ privacy.  Another double-duty area in an office can be your break room/kitchen space.  If your office has one of these zones, set it up to accommodate not only lunches/social time, but also for meetings when you need seating for everyone at once.

Finally, choose functional decor.  These are pieces that can serve as not only visually appealing material for those in the space, but are also used as storage, work space, etc.  Ideas include using desks that have cubicle systems built in underneath for storage, ottomans with storage included, decorative tables that can be used as desk/meeting space, etc.

If you are looking for the perfect office space, no matter the size, give us a call or check out some of our current listings HERE on our site.  We can help you find a property that meets your needs and your budget, because we are here for you.

When most people think of property management companies, such as Lorio and Associates, they think of a business that fills vacancies, specifically those of the commercial type.  Whether selling a commercial piece of property, or finding tenants for rental office/restaurant/business spaces, that is what property management companies usually do, but we also do so much more for you as our client.

At Lorio and Associates, we actually manage your property, instead of just filling the empty space.  What does that mean?

First, we do indeed handle finding a buyer or tenant for your piece of property.  In other words, if you own an office building and are renting out offices within the space, but you aren’t here to review and assist potential renters, we do all the legwork for you.  We will advertise your space, review prospective tenants or buyers, and then help finalize the deal.  All you have to do is enjoy the benefits.

Additionally, we manage your piece of property while it’s on the “market” and waiting to be sold or rented out.  That includes overseeing maintenance (cleaning, painting, repairs, etc.) and grooming of the grounds as dictated by you, the owner.  Our goal is for your property to remain in optimum condition while it is in our hands.

Finally, we will continue to oversee maintenance for pieces of property that are rented out.  We are the go-to call number for tenants that need assistance with a plumbing or electrical issue, have a repair request, and so forth.  This means you won’t be bothered with 3 a.m. calls about a leaking sink or broken window, and you can rest assured knowing that your property is being taken care of by someone trusted.  Not only that, but we check in to ensure that tenants are property caring for your property, and sticking to any signed contracts and regulations set up by you for your piece of property.

If you are ready to hand over your property’s maintenance to trusted hands, Lorio and Associates is here for you.  Our goal is for you to enjoy the benefits of property ownership without the headaches of the day-in and day-out details.  If you’re ready to have some assistance with your Polk County property, give us a call!

The holidays are here, and as we prepare for Christmas, the staff here at Lorio and Associates is reflecting on how much we appreciate our local Polk County clients that support our business.  We are so thankful to be able to serve such a wonderful community here in Lakeland, and in the surrounding areas, with residential and commercial real estate services, and we are looking forward to continuing to serve you in 2017.

Lorio and Associates is preparing for the new year by making sure we give you only the best.  Our customer service is here to give you one-on-one interaction, and our goal is to make sure you have all of your questions and concerns answered effectively and efficiently.  We are always happy to talk with our clients about various properties, fees, etc. and we enjoy getting to interact with our local community in this way while we do business.

Additionally, we are looking forward to supporting more of our local vendors here in Polk County in 2017.  We have built a long list of Polk County companies that we trust, and we use them for various service needs here at Lorio and Associates.  From landscaping and lawn care, to electrical and plumbing work, our website’s “Preferred Vendors” page (currently being worked on) will be a great way for these businesses to gain exposure in our community, and you’ll know they can be trusted because we back them enough to have them listed alongside us.

As we approach the Christmas season, and the new year, we hope you are able to enjoy time with the ones you hold dear, and know that when you are ready to make a step in purchasing a new home, renting a space for your business, or building your dream from scratch, Lorio and Associates is here for you.

Merry Christmas from all of us to you!

Scenario: you’ve decided to invest in a commercial property, not for yourself, but as a leasing space that will give you some extra spending cash.  However, once the papers are signed and the property is yours, what do you do?  Well, if you already have a business/individual lined up to rent your space, you will hand over the day-to-day operation of the property over to them, but you will still be holding the reigns for the piece of real estate, and you will be the one responsible for any decisions regarding it.

This sounds great…until you are faced with an issue or question that takes away from your personal time and resources, and ends up making the property more of a headache than a help.  So, how can you reap the benefits of owning a commercial property without dealing with the routine kinks in the chain that often come up with this type of situation?

The answer to your problems could be found in a property management company.

Property managers essentially “manage” your piece of property by taking care of the day-to-day operations and issues that come up, while overseeing the rental of the space and the conditions under which the least was signed.  In other words, a property management company will make sure your renter(s) do what is requested in regards to upkeep of the property, use of the property, etc, and they will also oversee maintenance on the property in your stead.  This is especially important for property owners who live in an area outside of the region in which their property is located.  For example, our local “snowbirds” who own properties here in Florida often trust management services to take care of their commercial space, whether it is rented out or not. This leaves someone local in charge, just in case something happens and requires prompt attention (like damages to the property, failure to cooperate on the part of the business/individual leasing the space, etc.

There are many benefits to having a property manager take care of your space rather than managing it yourself, but perhaps the biggest benefit is the peace of mind, knowing that you get to enjoy the fruits of your space, without putting in all the labor to take care of it.  If you are local to the greater Lakeland area here in Polk County, Lorio and Associates can offer you that peace of mind by managing your commercial property.  Even better?  We will seek to rent out your space, and keep it filled, so you are always making maximum profit off of your property.

Give us a call and see what we can do for you!

October 31st is only 3 weeks away, and that means hordes of kids will be out in costume collecting their stash of candy.  Unfortunately though, something else is out in full force on Halloween, and it isn’t nearly as pleasant as childhood spooks and witches.

Criminals are also a big part of the Halloween holiday.

Because Halloween means many people are away from their homes and out at parties, trick-or-treating with their kids, or other attending other festivities, it’s a prime time for crimes such as theft and vandalism.  Businesses are also at risk on this night though.  Why?

Because there is such an increase in foot traffic on Halloween, there are likely to be a much larger number of people passing your business than usual.  Whether you are located in a downtown area, or are a little more rural or small-town, chances are you will have people cutting through your parking lot, behind your business, or passing by on the sidewalks out front as they go from neighborhood to neighborhood to gather candy.  While many of these passerby are innocent, those who have less-than-wonderful intentions can happen to you, and it could be a disaster for your business.

How can you protect yourself this year?  First, remember to double check all doors and windows before you leave on the evening of the 31st (or when you leave for the last time before the 31st).  Loose locks or windows that are left ajar are a prime target for someone looking for any easy hit.  Next, engage any security systems, and look over cameras to make sure they are angled to cover all areas around the exterior of your business.  This gives you a better chance of finding the person responsible if you are hit with any theft or vandalism.  Finally, consider leaving a light or two on inside the office building, and keep flood lights on out front and in the back of your business.  A well-lit business is not a preferred spot for someone not wanting to get caught.  Lights mean you are more likely to be left alone.

If you are looking for help maintaining and taking care of your commercial property, give us a call.  Lorio and Associates serves the greater Polk County area of central Florida with the very best in commercial real estate sales, leasing, and property management.  We are here for you!

Lakeland is the largest city in Polk County, and over the years, it has divided itself into two main parts: North Lakeland and South Lakeland, with the central downtown area in between. For a long time, South Lakeland was the center of development with plenty of shopping, new restaurants sprouting up, and lots of opportunities for business growth.  North Lakeland, on the other hand, tended to have more open space, and while there was residential property, there wasn’t a lot of business growth (other than the Lakeland Square Mall, which had lost some of its popularity).

However, recent years have started turning the tide in Lakeland, and now, North Lakeland has turned into a mecca of growth for retail, dining, and a variety of other businesses.  New restaurants have moved into the area, and the mall underwent a lot of change, brining in new stores and dining options.  Residential neighborhoods are popping up all over, and now, North Lakeland is rivaling its southern counterpart.

Lorio and Associates is proud to offer property throughout Lakeland, and we have available spaces in both the North and South.  Currently, we have a great option for those looking to open a business on the North side.  We’ve listed three separate retail bays on Daughtery Road, located in a strip mall.  These spaces have bathrooms, plenty of parking, and wide open space.  Previously a martial arts defense school, the floorpan has little by way of closed off walls, meaning it’s a fresh, clean canvas where your business could make its home.

If you can see yourself in this type of space, and you’re ready to grow your business in North Lakeland, give us a call!  We will help you figure out how to make your dream a reality, starting with the location.

Downtown Lakeland is rapidly expanding, and we are excited to see the new businesses joining our community.  Posto 9, a restaurant opening in December, is likely to be a huge hit in our downtown area, as well as the variety of other restaurants and shops that will be opening in the coming year.

An interesting change that is also projected to take place is the addition of valet parking services for downtown Lakeland.  The addition of the new businesses will bring unprecedented traffic to the area, and this could cause some serious parking issues in an already-crowded environment.  By adding a valet service for the city, customers are more likely to frequent these places, because parking will not be a stressor to dampen their spirits on a fun night out for dinner and/or shopping.

We at Lorio & Associates are thrilled with the expansion of Lakeland and how local businesses are thriving here.  We have great news for small businesses owners who are looking for a new location too!  We currently have a space open right in the middle of the newly popular downtown area. Located alongside Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille and a hugely popular parking garage, this office space is sure to be a wonderful environment for whoever manages to grab it first.  A connected walkway from the parking garage to the available space is a major perk, as well as the upscale lobby area with elevator and restrooms, and the efficient layout of the offices themselves.

Check out the listing here, and for more information on the changes coming to downtown, see this recent article from WFLA (link to online article and video).

Join us in the excitement of a growing and changing Lakeland, and let us help you make sure your business is along for the ride!

For those of us who live here, Lakeland, FL holds a special place in our hearts, and of course we love it!  However, people near and far are starting to perk up and notice Lakeland, as it has grown and changed into a place full of entertainment, arts, and wonderful food.  Since Lakeland is located almost exactly between Orlando and Tampa (two of the biggest hot spots for tourists in the state), we get a lot of visitors.  When people are on vacation, they want to eat food that is delicious, unique to the area, and in restaurants that offer a fun atmosphere.  That’s why we think Lakeland is a great place to make your dream of owning your own restaurant a reality!

Another huge benefit of opening a restaurant in Lakeland is the diversity of the area’s cuisine.  Unlike other areas where ethnic foods, seafood, etc. might not go over well, or might be hard to come by, Lakeland is open to just about anything you can think of.  From delicious cultural experiences to seafood fresh off the coast, Central Florida cities have some fine choices for tastes of all kinds.

Think that going into the restaurant business might be for you?  We say go for it!  Lorio and Associates owns and manages several restaurant-friendly spaces throughout the greater Lakeland area, and we can help you find the home that is perfect for you and allows you to make your dream a reality.  As with anything, you can’t take properties at face value.  Each business owner will bring his or her own perspective to the table and make the property into something entirely different and unique.  We will work with you to find a space that meets your needs and offers the room for creative growth that every restaurant owner craves.

Give us a call and let us help you become Lakeland’s next big thing!

America is considered to be a place where dreams come true.  For many people, one of these dreams is to own their own business.  We are fortunate to live in a land where this dream can become a reality, but in order for it to be successful and thrive, certain requirements must be met by the owner.

Of course, opening a business requires knowledge of one’s specific industry, as well as the ability to manage and organize daily operations.  This usually means hiring and managing employees, keeping track of finances and/or some type of inventory, record-keeping of clients and various information, taking care of marketing and advertisement, and of course, securing and caring for a location for the business to call home.

We know that it can seem overwhelming when you look at the extensive list of things to check off when you first look at starting your own business.  Lorio and Associates can help you find the perfect location for your business, and manage the property for you.  We specialize in commercial real estate throughout the greater Lakeland area.  Whether you dream of owning a tiny bistro on the edge of town where you can perfect favorite recipes, or desire an office space with cubicles for multiple employees, we can make it happen.  Even better?  We offer both leasing and purchase options.  If you are ready to make the jump and purchase your property, we will be beside you every step of the way, until the keys are in your hand and you are taking flight in your new space.  For those who are still “feeling out the water” in the sea of business ownership though, we having properties for lease.  This gives you a place for your business to call home while it’s gaining momentum and growing until you feel secure enough to purchase a permanent location.  When leasing property from us, of course, you can count on us to manage and oversee maintenance on the space.  We have trusted providers for maintenance needs and we will make sure you receive top-quality service at all times, 24-hours each day, 7 days a week.

Lorio and Associates has been part of Polk County for over 25 years, and we enjoy serving our Lakeland friends and neighbors with the very best of commercial real estate in the Central Florida area.

If you are ready to make your American dream a reality, give us a call. We will make sure your business is right at home in the perfect space!