Good Day,

I first want to start off by answering many of the questions that will be thrown at me. I really do want to open a B&B, I have been researching for some time, I want to use it as a TYPE of "semi" retirement! I have been in retail for 35 years and love people! I know the "DARK SIDE" of people. I know that this will more than likely require another source of income for a while to be successful. I have worked in the hotel industry for many years also.

It will be just my wife and myself.

A few issues that I need help and much "wiseness". I donot have the money. I am looking for a lease/purchase to give me time to work it and purchase it.  I would like to get info on where to go and what to do ----seriously!!

Hopefully someone will be kind enough to put me in the right direction.

 

Lou  

I would speak to a few real estate agents who specifically handle bed & breakfasts. With the market pretty grim, those with inns for sale may entertain this idea right now. It is an unusual concept, but not neccessarily non-existant. We actually lease our property from the city we are in, and run our B&B. The city has nothing to do with the business, just happens to be our landlord. We have been running this way for over 15 years now! I am sure this is why we have lasted as long as we have, and have weathered terrible downturns in business during 9/11, recessions, gas prices, etc. We have a lease payment, but no huge mortgage payment. The owner/city is also responsible for building insurance and building maintainance. People who work as b&b business consultants may also be able to help.

Have you considered Inn-sitting or even long term Inn-keeper positions?  Also, what state are you looking at living in?

Hello,

Thank you for your responce. I would consider a long term inn keeper postion(I kind of figure that this is like a manager of a hotel??) I have not considered this (really didn't know it existed) but sounds pretty interesting. I have about 35 years in retail management( most of it in the grocery industry.)

I tire of the industry & have been fascinated with B&Bs for many years now, ever since I stayed in one some time back ! I want to be with my wife now as much as possible, as I spent very little time with her while I worked the past 35 years. I never saved (rather 401Ks were not during my early years) so I pretty much know that I will be working till the end. So I would rather do it with her in something we could enjoy and do together. Mind you I know that I will probably have to take a lesser job (probably in my industry) to keep up medical insurance & such, thats just fine. My wife is somewhat of a skeptic on this, as I have had many dreams; but this one seems to always be there. I just haven't been able to figure out a way to get in it without just Ton's of Cash that some of these places want. Mind you many of them are simply breathtaking and drive my "wants"!!

I see that you must be a Inn-sitter. I believe that this is like a relief person that goes from Inn to Inn giving vacations and such to inn-keepers. Is this right? Does it pay well or rather how does it pay??I kind of figure you enjoy it. You must travel alot!!? We have always traveled a great deal with my industry. Like being in the Service>>

I'm currently in Alabama! I will be relocating in a few months (so they tell me) to either Louisiana, Tennessee, Virginia,Penn or the Carolinas.  I really would like a Inn in New England (as I'm sure everyone would). However, I'll be going were they send me as they will be paying for the move!

Hope this gave you some info on me you can use for direction. Please let me know some more about this long term Inn-keepers postion thing and were I would look for openings!

 

Thanks Much

Netjumpr 

Hi Lou:
You have come to the right place for information. In addition to this website, there are many books. We found Sandy Soule's to be the best!
You said you don't have the money to purchase. Do you have money for a lease/option? We have a B&B for sale or for lease/purchase in New England; the sales price is $699,900 however, we are asking $250,000 in earnest money.
Best of luck to you wherever go.
Becky

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Innkeep

Thanks for the kind words about my books, but I haven't written them for ten years!  If you really want a copy, the two most recent ones, USA and New England are available on Amazon for just the cost of shipping:

http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Favorite-Inns-Small-Hotels/dp/031214539X

http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Favorite-Inns-Small-Hotels/dp/0312194358

You can also check out our Innkeepers' Resource Library, with a ton of free articles, as well as the current issue of the Innkeeper News.

In about a month, we'll be relaunching our inns for sale pages, so be sure to check back!

Thanks,

Sandy

 

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Sandy Soule
BedandBreakfast.com
Sandy@BedandBreakfast.com

Yes, I absolutely love Inn-sitting and I travel a lot!  Every Inn-sitter charges differently and I won't get into it here.  There is a place in PA that had been looking for someone - check out:  www.rockyspringsbnb.com - Elaine Stoltzfus is the owner - you can tell her I sent you!  Good luck!  Sue  suellen222@aol.com - feel free to e-mail me if you would like more information. 

Hello Becky;

I would probably be able to aquire this as my wife is looking into a SBA loan to help get things rolling. Can you give me a little info on your B&B . Could I have the web site to go to and look at it please. The price and area are were we are looking!

Thanks so much

Lou

Thank you so much for the info. I will check into this. I might have a Question or two after I check into this!!

 

Thanks so much

Lou

Hi Lou:
You can find our website at: www.bedandbreakfastwallingford.com.

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Innkeep