In my neighborhood, a touristy area of miami, 25% of the retail spaces are empty and have been empty for YEARS. Landlords refuse to lower rents to draw new tenants. There must be a tax incentive to "lose" money on these units.
Many new developments in suburban areas further outside of the denser areas are offering tenants the first year free to get their feet settled. I think this is a smart move, and wish more landlords were that forward thinking.
