I am looking at purchasing a house to convert into a weekend scrapbook retreat. I am trying to determine whether I can rent it as rental property or if I have to set up business as a B&B. Do you have any suggested reading or websites to help me decide?? Or any advice on where to go to find out local regulations? I am in Denton County in Texas.

Continue reading "B&B vs. Rental property" »

Posted by at 11:02 PM | Comments (1)

Hi Kit;
Your web site is terrific. More than I can digest. If I were to send you a proposed business plan for an aspiring B&B owner would you have time to peruse it and give us your thoughts? Also what are your rates for consultation?
Regards
Rich and Jen

Continue reading "Business Plan Consulting" »

Posted by at 2:28 PM | Comments (1)

Do you or anyone have any words of wizdom about purchasing an house in a town's historic district that is the in process of revitalization. From the research I have done so far, it appears as if the town I am interested in is in the process of refurbishing its historic district and is about 50% complete. However, the house I'm interested in is not in the completed area, so the neighborhood is run down and there is more crime. Has anyone faced this same scenario? Could you impart words of wizdom, do's or don'ts?

-Kathy

Continue reading "Crime Statistics" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 4:38 PM | Comments (3)

From "Ask Kit!":
Q: We were advised by the City that provided the city allows a B&B in the rural zone as proposed, that weddings and parties would require no additional approval since the property is then considered a business. Now, the homeowners and one of the planning dept. officials are making threats regarding this saying that even if a B&B is allowed, we will never be able to hold a wedding there. I have searched our zoning ordinance thoroughly. There is never any mention anywhere regarding special events such as weddings. Do you have any sage words of wisdom???

Continue reading "Zoning Question" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 10:00 AM

Hi all,
My Wife and are looking to buy a bed and breakfast. We are having trouble finding how to get a mortgage/loan for this. Is it a business or a home? This is very important because of the amount of money needed for the down payment. Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated.
Chrissi and Chuck Via

Continue reading "Buying a Bed a Breakfast" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (4)

I bought my B&B through www.bandbmarketplace.com. In 2004, this site allowed a prospective buyer to view properties through brokers in each state. The realtor who sold me this property has since been excluded from this site. According to her, the B&B marketplace is moving towards doing exclusive business with a national realty company as opposed to working with independent brokers who actually specialize in B&B's.

Continue reading "bandbmarketplace website" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (2)

From "Ask Kit!":
Q: Many inn owners quote occupancy rates that seem very high for their area and amenities (especially when trying to sell their business). They seem to making up their own formula. Could you please publish a formula for figuring occupancy that gives a good idea of the actual business that a particular B&B has?.

Continue reading "Calculating Occupancy Rates" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (5)

Just wondering how many of you promote your B&B as being accessable? For that matter is it accessable? By that I mean can a person who is bound to a wheelchair easily get around?

Bathrooms, showers, wide hallways all make life a lot easier. Are there stairs or single steps that would get in the way?
_________________
Shawn
The Bed and Breakfast Connector (http://www.bbconnector.com)

Continue reading "Accessable B&Bs" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (3)

From "Ask Kit!":
Q: My family wants to build a B&B. We have young children so we want to promote it as a family/outdoor/activity focused place to stay. We want to build in the countryside on a large and spacious family owned property that will allow for various outdoor activities. Can you tell me of some B&B`s that have successfully used this as their niche? We want to focus ourselves as you suggest. Are there others who have travelled this road before us so that we can learn from them?

Continue reading "Family-Friendly Inns" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (3)

From "Ask Kit!":
Q: How much money would I need in savings, after I buy a furnished B&B and before the biggest season.

Continue reading "How much reserve do I need?" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (1)

From "Ask Kit!":
Q: How a "Potential B & B" can become a real B&B in New york state?

Continue reading "Converting a Potential to a Real B&B?" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM

From "Ask Kit!":
Q: we are searching for the "right" b anad b for us. We are looking now at one in a small town in New York state that is steps away from a 5,000 student university. What do you see as the pro's and con's of being in a small university town.

Continue reading "University Town B&B?" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 10:33 PM | Comments (2)

Do you or anyone have any words of wizdom about purchasing an house in a town's historic district that is the in process of revitalization. From the research I have done so far, it appears as if the town I am interested in is in the process of refurbishing its historic district and is about 50% complete. However, the house I'm interested in is not in the completed area, so the neighborhood is run down and there is more crime. Has anyone faced this same scenario? Could you impart words of wizdom, do's or don'ts?

KathyWells

Continue reading "Crime statistics" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (3)

From "Ask Kit!":
Q: We were looking to purchase land and build our own bed and breakfast. This will be over a long period of time for us. It seems that the info we have read is about purchasing established B&Bs. Is it not wise to start from scratch? If it is ok do you have any tips?

Continue reading "Building a B&B" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (6)

From "Ask Kit!":
Q: What is the difference between a residental and commercial loan?

Continue reading "Residential vs Commercial Loans?" »

Posted by Kit Cassingham at 6:00 AM | Comments (2)