As many of you know, Rebecca and I have moved our base of operation from Maine to Southwest Florida.  What started as a vacation a year ago has turned into a permanent move to a place as close to paradise as we have ever found.  We are both profoundly happy with our decision, and have [...]

We are very happy to announce that we have sold the Run of the River Inn and Refuge in Washington.  This is a lovely 7 room bed and breakfast that is known for its excellence in providing a refuge for its guests from their busy lifestyles.  The Inn was owned for 23 years by Monty [...]

When buying a Bed and Breakfast there is much to learn, especially during the first year.  We have seen new Innkeepers purchase their Inns and think that they completely understand innkeeping, even when they have never experienced it.  Add a restaurant at the Inn on top of this, and it is even more complicated.  As [...]

Timing is everything. The following questions are meant to make you think about the realities of becoming an Innkeeper and the implications of this lifestyle change for you and your family. Innkeeping is a rewarding profession when it is done at the right time. Here are some things to consider:

Does your [...]

During these difficult times of recession and the credit crisis, we have been thinking more about the use of Lease Options as a method of transferring Inns and Bed and Breakfasts. There clearly are some advantages for both Sellers and Buyers of Inns by allowing a faster closing period without the necessity [...]

In several previous postings on our Blog, we have looked at various ways that Sellers can improve the performance of Country Inns and Bed and Breakfast Inns. All of this was done from the Sellers’ standpoint in order to add value to the sales price. In this Article, we are going to [...]

It seems that we are always asked by people considering innkeeping, why not do a start- up? We always express our concern that it is much easier and more cost effective to purchase an up and running business, but that does not suppress the desire by many people to start an inn [...]

This is one of the most asked questions at every one of Oates & Bredfeldt’s Innkeeping Seminars. How can I find my ideal Inn? The answer is very easy, but counterintuitive. We say simply to “Stop looking at Inns for sale!” Here is why:
Location, location, location is still the golden rule. Searching [...]

This article will appear in the next PAII Newsletter for Aspiring Innkeepers.
Of all the questions that we are asked during our Innkeeping Seminars and in our consulting practice, the most important, and most frequent, one is “How can I know if the price for an inn is the right one?”
First, some [...]

It always amazes me when dealing with people looking to purchase an inn. The other day I received an e-mail inquiring on a property valued at $1.8M. The e-mail was simple. It said “This is the type of inn we are interested in. So, if you can pass on to me 3-5 [...]