If you know me, you know my family takes an annual trip to St. Maarten! We have been going there since the early ’90s at least once a year, sometimes twice. I love to lay on the beach, relax and recharge. Is there really anything better than falling asleep to the crash of the waves?
During our trip we will certainly eat at Fat Tony’s and hang out at Orient Beach at Le String Beach bar. Staple places we visit every time we visit the Island. We are also looking to try out the new Skip Jacks (recently rebuilt after Hurricane Irma), JAX Steakhouse and the world-famous gourmet restaurant Spiga, as well as trying out new beaches. Adding new adventures into the trip is always a lot of fun and keeps our trip exciting and fresh. I tell you all of this because it reminds me about business and how we have staples and how we have adventures.
Staples are the activities you always do. Maybe you run ads on Facebook or place billboards on a certain highway. Maybe you go to the same chamber networking events every month or do your billing every Friday. These are safe. You feel comfortable in these actions, just like we do at our favorite restaurants.
Adventures are the activities you want to do. Maybe instead of a billboard, you want to try a TV spot. Maybe instead of that networking event, you want to go to a conference out of state. These are not quite as unfamiliar. Uncharted territory. But just think of what you could be missing if you never try anything new. Just like us with some of the new places we want to eat.
Along with the staples and the adventures are the unexpected, the changes. Be prepared for those, too. I mentioned a few months ago that the place we always stay in on the Island was destroyed by Hurricane Irma and we are staying at a new place. This is a big change for us, but we did our research, found somewhere we love and it’s on the water, so it’s a nice change.
Changes don’t have to be bad things. As long as you are prepared and ready, changes might even surprise you as being great.
Dealing with real estate law, I wanted to mention two recent changes that came across my desk:
And just a simple reminder:
If you are a landlord in New York City or on Long Island and you rent space to two or more families in a building in which you do not live, you must register that property as a rental. There are fines and penalties if you don’t, plus you have no grounds to collect rent if a tenant does not pay.
Always ensure you keep yourself informed as a business owner, landlord, etc. to stay on top of changes and new laws. And mix in some adventures to your staples.
If you need help, just give me a call.
During our trip we will certainly eat at Fat Tony’s and hang out at Orient Beach at Le String Beach bar. Staple places we visit every time we visit the Island. We are also looking to try out the new Skip Jacks (recently rebuilt after Hurricane Irma), JAX Steakhouse and the world-famous gourmet restaurant Spiga, as well as trying out new beaches. Adding new adventures into the trip is always a lot of fun and keeps our trip exciting and fresh. I tell you all of this because it reminds me about business and how we have staples and how we have adventures.
Staples are the activities you always do. Maybe you run ads on Facebook or place billboards on a certain highway. Maybe you go to the same chamber networking events every month or do your billing every Friday. These are safe. You feel comfortable in these actions, just like we do at our favorite restaurants.
Adventures are the activities you want to do. Maybe instead of a billboard, you want to try a TV spot. Maybe instead of that networking event, you want to go to a conference out of state. These are not quite as unfamiliar. Uncharted territory. But just think of what you could be missing if you never try anything new. Just like us with some of the new places we want to eat.
Along with the staples and the adventures are the unexpected, the changes. Be prepared for those, too. I mentioned a few months ago that the place we always stay in on the Island was destroyed by Hurricane Irma and we are staying at a new place. This is a big change for us, but we did our research, found somewhere we love and it’s on the water, so it’s a nice change.
Changes don’t have to be bad things. As long as you are prepared and ready, changes might even surprise you as being great.
Dealing with real estate law, I wanted to mention two recent changes that came across my desk:
- There is a new law (as of April 1) that all landlords and home sellers make sure all smoke detectors include either a sealed 10-year battery or are hard-wired. Any time a new tenant signs a lease or you transfer the property, you must ensure that the smoke detector is in compliance
- The New York State Transfer Tax and Mansion Tax have increased on some properties that are located within the five boroughs of New York City. For all the details and to see the new rates, click here.
And just a simple reminder:
If you are a landlord in New York City or on Long Island and you rent space to two or more families in a building in which you do not live, you must register that property as a rental. There are fines and penalties if you don’t, plus you have no grounds to collect rent if a tenant does not pay.
Always ensure you keep yourself informed as a business owner, landlord, etc. to stay on top of changes and new laws. And mix in some adventures to your staples.
If you need help, just give me a call.
Firm News
-It’s official. June 10th marks my first day as President of the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association. I’m looking forward to it!
-The date for our Habitat build has changed. It is now on June 8th. You can still mail donations to our office with checks payable to Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk County.
-I want to send a big THANK YOU to our office manager, Rhonda, in celebration of Administrative Professionals Day (which was yesterday). Rhonda helps keep me organized, sane and makes me smile.
-The date for our Habitat build has changed. It is now on June 8th. You can still mail donations to our office with checks payable to Habitat for Humanity of Suffolk County.
-I want to send a big THANK YOU to our office manager, Rhonda, in celebration of Administrative Professionals Day (which was yesterday). Rhonda helps keep me organized, sane and makes me smile.
