dana moos realtor: What's happening in the Maine bed and breakfast brokerage market?
- 11/17/09 01:15 AM
What's happening in the bed and breakfast brokerage market? It's a frequently asked question by both buyers and sellers. Actually, add in appraisers and bankers as well. Everyone wants to know if there are buyers out there. The answer is absolutely, yes. However, the ratio of buyers in certain buyer pools has shifted during the economic slowdown. The following represents the bed and breakfast brokerage industry's pool of buyers: buyers who want strong performing businesses buyers who want "deals" on under performing business for growth potential (even though a property may be fairly priced for the residential market) buyers who … (1 comments)
dana moos realtor: When your seller asks "can you market my house as a bed and breakfast?"
- 11/11/09 09:53 PM
This question comes up more often than we think. And I get my brain picked enough to find it important to write this post geared toward residential real estate agents as well as buyers who want to do a startup bed and breakfast by converting a home.Let me start by saying that I don't claim to know absolutely everything about the bed and breakfast business. But I do have experience and it is my specialty. And so many historic homes have the feel of a classic bed and breakfast, but are they all worthy of that marketing angle? The answer is, … (3 comments)
dana moos realtor: Hello Active Rain, haven't seen you in a while...
- 09/27/09 09:14 AM
I have to admit that my last post on AR was June. I have made comments on others' posts and I have read posts since then, but I have not kept my blog active. I attended a REBarCamp in Boston in June and learned not only some interesting things, but was encouraged to get my own domain for what I do instead of a blogspot. Makes sense, Why not get ranking for myself instead of for Google? So I've been busy taking all of the components of my blogger blog and separating them into separate blogs and websites. I now have … (3 comments)
dana moos realtor: New Waterfront Listing with a Spectacular view of MDI- in Sullivan, Maine
- 06/07/09 01:21 AM
New Waterfront Listing with a Spectacular view of MDI If a picture speaks a thousand words, this one speaks two.This is Island View Inn in Sullivan, Maine. This is undoubtedly one of the most incredible panoramic views of Mount Desert Island. And it is enjoyed from Island View Inn's sandy shorefront property. A classic, 1889 shingle style cottage built by architect Jarvis Hart out of Boston and built for A.G.Camball. This information was actually written on the pantry's original built-in drawers for future owners of this grand estate. An addition was built in 2000, expanding both guest and private owner's space.There … (0 comments)
dana moos realtor: New listing on Mount Desert Island in Southwest Harbor, Maine - Kingsleigh Inn
- 06/06/09 11:04 AM
New listing on Mount Desert Island in Southwest Harbor, Maine - Kingsleigh Inn The Kingsleigh Inn was built in 1904 and offers eight guest rooms in the heart of Southwest Harbor, just minutes from Acadia National Park. With its village location, walking to dinner, the shop and marina are a simple stroll out the inn's front door. Four of the rooms offer harbor views and private decks. There are two wood burning fireplaces and one woodstove. All rooms are queen or king beds and are furnished with a bit of Waverley and Laura Ashley without being overly frilly or over the … (0 comments)
dana moos realtor: Fantastic Price Reduction! Lakeshore Inn B&B in Rockland, Maine
- 06/06/09 11:02 AM
Fantastic Price Reduction! Lakeshore Inn B&B in Rockland, Maine Priced below assessed value! A great 5 bedroom home or 4 guest room bed and breakfast with a spacious one bedroom owners quarters (living room, fireplace, eat-in kitchen, powder room, laundry), detached garage, across from Lake Chickawaukee, minutes to downtown Rockland and Camden. A large 6-8 person hottub, fabulous, bright kitchen, large parlors, fireplaces and more. A great deal on a wonderful hobby business. At $399,000, this is a great deal. … (5 comments)
dana moos realtor: NEW PRICE, Captain Briggs House B&B, Freeport, Maine
- 06/06/09 10:59 AM
NEW PRICE, Captain Briggs House B&B, Freeport, Maine $819,000 - This is Captain Briggs House in the heart of the popular town of Freeport, home of L.L. Bean. Situated on a quiet side street just one block from the shops on Main Street, there are 7 guest rooms and a very spacious 2 bedroom 2+1/2 bath owners quarters in the renovated barn. Owners enjoy a separate kitchen, living room, dining room, attached garage, private entrance, very large laundry room and a large storage room. Space like this is uncommon for owners quarters. This classic 1853 farmhouse has been very well maintained … (2 comments)
dana moos realtor: Get INNspired Innkeeping Seminar September 13-15 Portland, Maine
- 06/06/09 10:57 AM
Get INNspired Innkeeping Seminar September 13-15 Portland, Maine Our fall innkeeping seminar/workshop is now being held at the newly remodeled Danforth Inn in Portland, Maine. This all inclusive session will help you determine not only if innkeeping is right for you, but which type of property might best suit your needs.We'll also touch on the fast growing Social Media Networking and its importance and affect on inns and bed and breakfasts in today's internet savvy world.Come Get INNspired with us. … (0 comments)
dana moos realtor: For Sale - A beautiful historic Queen Anne being restored in Guilford, Maine
- 06/06/09 10:54 AM
Historic Restoration Progress of The Guilford Bed and Breakfast... The Guilford Bed and Breakfast, circa 1905I was looking forward to my Guilford Bed and Breakfast visit last week - a beautiful drive through farmland north of Bangor offering incredible views of the mountains. When I arrived I was pleased to see the progress of the exterior restoration, but also the landscaping in its springtime glory. I first listed this property in February, with a couple feet of snow on the ground. I didn't have a chance to be wooed by the beautiful sculpted gardens with fragrant lilac bushes. It's just my … (2 comments)
dana moos realtor: Inn on the Harbor, a wonderful waterfront inn for sale on Deer Isle, Maine
- 05/29/09 07:49 AM
I recently showed Inn on the Harbor in the quaint fishing village of Stonington to an aspiring innkeeper. The immediate, common reaction was "WOW, this is an absolutely amazing spot". Indeed. Stonington is idyllic, postcard Maine. Many of the islands off the coast of Maine are incredibly beautiful and secluded if you're looking to escape. But Deer Isle (the furthest island south of the Blue Hill peninsula) is one of the few islands, accessible by bridge, that really feels like an island without being at the mercy of a ferry. Having come from the tourism/bed and breakfast business myself, I understand … (0 comments)
dana moos realtor: Beautiful May in Maine...especially for a photographer!
- 05/29/09 07:47 AM
There's really nothing like a nice springtime in Maine (well, other than a beautiful summer with 80 degree weather and low humidity) with the flowers and trees in bloom and just the right amount of rain to do its magic. I had to drive down the coast a couple days ago and stopped along the way to take some pictures (I've finally learned how to use the manual settings on my DSLR - not easy when it's not the same setting as my old Canon AE-1 35mm!). I love taking macro shots, but I am limited to the macro setting on … (3 comments)
Innkeeping and Social Media...are you keeping up? There are numerous Social Media sites out there today...some are industry specific, some for personal use. So many today are wonderful business marketing tools, regardless of the nature of your business. If you have a product or a service to offer, you should have some presence on a social media site. Turn on the TV at any given time and news media will be talking about Twitter or Facebook. Giving someone your Twitter account name is almost as common as your email or website.The focus used to be on one's website. … (1 comments)
dana moos realtor: Bass Harbor, Maine - Summer Weekly Rental w/a waterview
- 04/28/09 07:12 AM
Wow, I can't believe it's been a month since I last blogged on AR. I've been swamped between selling my B&B (The Kingsleigh Inn) and buying a new home...craziness! And now I am representing a buyer for a vacation home in Bass Harbor and I get to fully furnish it and run the rental...Do I need more to do???!!! Though I do love to decorate...
This is a great spot a minute's walk to the harbor - Bass Harbor - quaint little idyllic fishing village at the base of Mount Desert Island, and home to beautiful Bass Head Light... … (0 comments)
dana moos realtor: FOR SALE Craignair Inn & Restaurant, on the water in Spruce Head, Maine...
- 03/23/09 09:19 PM
Craignair Inn & Restaurant, on the water in Spruce Head, Maine... I had a showing today at the inn so I grabbed my camera in hopes the snow had melted enough for me to take new photos. It was cold but clear and gorgeous with blue skies and puffy clouds. Besides, I figured out how to use my new DSLR on manual exposure which made a huge difference; what an improvement on the interiors! Detail in the foreground as well as in the long focal point. My days of SLR 35mm photography were slowly coming back to me...This is such a … (1 comments)
dana moos realtor: How do you make the best use of YOUR money?
- 03/11/09 12:10 AM
I recently came across this clipping while I was going through some files and clearly remember why. Twenty plus years ago I snipped this from a Washington Post when it reminded me of someone I knew whose father made good money and all he did was save; but by his attitude it was evident he did not enjoy everyday life. And at 21, we aren't always focused on being smart with our money, but I recall thinking this quote said it all. And I was determined to use money wisely, but enjoy using it, unlike my friend's father. So here I … (0 comments)
dana moos realtor: Great closing gift ideas for Realtors!
- 03/08/09 11:56 PM
I've used this vendor for years, for the personalized, hand decorated sugar cubes for our inn, for coffee and tea. But this talented woman makes all sorts of miniature, personalized gifts -Kara from Sugarcubes.ca out of Canada is one very talented and patient woman with her amazing creations. She will hand decorate with icing, a message from you to your buyers or sellers, on cookies, or customize sugarcubes with an initial or custom design of your choice!
… (8 comments)
dana moos realtor: "Maine is where Americans want to be..."
- 03/02/09 04:14 AM
The Portland Press Herald did a piece yesterday that in part read "Maine is where Americans want to be; they just don't know it...The American Dream circa 2009 are places where you can imagine yourself with a stuffed garage - filled with skis, kayaks, soccer equipment, hiking boots and boating equipment. It's a place where spectacular natural scenery is visible from medium-density residential neighborhoods. It is a place that is car-dependent and spread out but at the same time a place with a strong cultural identity, a place with at least the promise of friendlier neighborhoods, slower lifestyles and service-sector employment. … (2 comments)
dana moos realtor: Thriving Real Estate Blogs?
- 02/28/09 10:54 PM
My husband found this blurb this morning which starts out with "While this blog is slowly disappearing, there are many other real estate blogs that thrive" I'm pleased to say, my blog is one of the ones the writer refers to as "thriving"!
Growabrain is an interesting blog with a large number of real estate blog links. Maybe yours is one of them? … (4 comments)
dana moos realtor: Branded Calendars - an interesting tool...so many ways to use it...
- 02/28/09 10:06 PM
This is a "branded calendar" created by Marti Garaughty - a very talented AR member with amazing graphics! He's not only a blog artist but an artist with beautiful paintings with great movement. I am trying to think of a great sort of tag line to use with this graphic in an email blast...If anyone has any great ideas on how best to utilize this, I'd love to hear it!
It pertains to so many things in our lives. But this sign in particular I recently spotted hanging in a Maine inn...maybe innkeepers are just naturally positive? Maybe they're the ones Nike had in mind when they said "just do it". Everyone says "oh, I've always wanted to buy a bed and breakfast but never had the guts to do it"...it's a much less risky move to make than most think. And a rewarding one at that... … (2 comments)
I am an Associate Broker with The Swan Agency Sotheby’s International Realty. I specialize in marketing and selling Inns and Bed and Breakfasts in Maine. I focus on some of the common elements which draw us to innkeeping: food, wine, travel, art, entertaining and sharing your personal style, as a lifestyle, investment, job and a home. My husband and I moved here five years ago from the Washington, DC area to enjoy the Maine way of life as Foodies and innkeepers ourselves. Soon we had increased the room revenue by 80%. Realizing the impact the web had on our business, I decided to apply my marketing tools to help sellers find buyers for their properties. My combined 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, property management, marketing and innkeeping enables me to be a well versed Realtor. Maine offers such an abundance of natural beauty for nature lovers, photographers, or anyone who can appreciate unspoiled nature. I believe that quality photography is key and hope that my passion for marketing, graphic design, innkeeping and all things Maine is evident. Everything in moderation, wine and cheese daily and my glass is always half full. I hope that my blog conveys this.
What's happening in the bed and breakfast brokerage market? 
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