Why would someone stay here?

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JBloggs

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When you are for sale, you have this question.
It is always offensive when asked, like "why WOULD anyone ever stay HERE?" Some of the most difficult marketing you do is to bring people in, then someone casually walks in and expects a snap-to answer. Not the serious buyers who do their research...
People need to realize these inns are our babies.
 
the trouble with people is they don't understand - ie a bad booking.com review could cost me 1000 in revenue - I leave them in charge for a week and it could literally take me years to get back to my high position - same with Tripadviser + you could have a ton of regulars who are handled badly which again could have a majour impact. For example I have a very capable aunt who also has a very capable best friend who now and again ask me if they could run my place for a week "it would be fun" - answer is no I would take 2 months to teach them everything I do on the computer in a day and it still wouldn't be comprehensive so no will not be handing over my place to anyone untried any time soon!
 
I will not be offended when my future buyers ask that question. It really IS a legitimate question. If I am looking to buy, I need to know who is your market. I do not (at least I HOPE) think they were insinuating that the B & B was less than someone would book into.
When I opened my B & B, many here in town - INCLUDING the insurance agent I called to ask how much my insurance would be - (WHO is going to come to Shinnston?" Mo one expected us to have ANY guests. Even today, they pay attention to all the State license plates found in front of this house. Friday night one of the vehicles was a corvette. We have had Porches and Jags as well as many other high-end vehicles. THAT impresses folks also. I will tell my potential buyers (praying I live long enough to be selling) that little tidbit. I will also tell them what people come here to do - and offer suggestions as to what they may be interested in doing to increase occupancy.
Yes, this IS my baby. I created it from zero and it is still open and getting reservations. The answer to that question is (in addition to the market you draw) I advertise, blog, and shout from the rooftops that we are here so people KNOW to come here. Tell those buyers they will have to keep reminding people they are here because if you do not tell them, they cannot come.
 
I guess there are all sorts of ways to ask and answer that question. Sounds like they didn't see the location as desirable. I hope you told them you've had thousands of guests who have stayed with you have been drawn to your area & appreciate your location.
I'm not for sale yet, but I know I'll get that same question. Why would someone stay with us when they can stay minutes away right on the ocean? Well, if they want to pay more than a million for an ocean front property, then be my guest!
There's a reason why realtors who sell private homes don't want the owners present when prospective buyers are there. Our feelings get hurt when our place is picked apart. Unfortunately, selling a b&b usually means interaction with the prospective buyers.
Prospective buyers are so clueless most of the time. They think they're going to get a property in a thriving tourist area, yet they don't/can't pay the high dollar price for it.
Your place is beautiful and offers a quality of life in a small town. The right buyer will be there. Hang in there.
 
I guess there are all sorts of ways to ask and answer that question. Sounds like they didn't see the location as desirable. I hope you told them you've had thousands of guests who have stayed with you have been drawn to your area & appreciate your location.
I'm not for sale yet, but I know I'll get that same question. Why would someone stay with us when they can stay minutes away right on the ocean? Well, if they want to pay more than a million for an ocean front property, then be my guest!
There's a reason why realtors who sell private homes don't want the owners present when prospective buyers are there. Our feelings get hurt when our place is picked apart. Unfortunately, selling a b&b usually means interaction with the prospective buyers.
Prospective buyers are so clueless most of the time. They think they're going to get a property in a thriving tourist area, yet they don't/can't pay the high dollar price for it.
Your place is beautiful and offers a quality of life in a small town. The right buyer will be there. Hang in there..
Breakfast Nemo said:
Sounds like they didn't see the location as desirable.
That is the funny part imo, if you drive in, walk through the inn and then drive out.
There is a gal at another inn on this forum which is for sale, she booked a night in, get the feel, experience. She has stayed here as well, and she loved every minute, and we really liked her alot, but she has a consultant team assisting and trying to push her to B&B's that are not lifestyle, in other words twice or three times+ our asking price.
It is a good move to spend the night, to see every detail from the inside out. Good move.
 
When we still lived in VT the house we bought was being run as a B&B. (3 rooms, 1 bathroom, no thanks!) I kept asking myself that - why would anyone stay here? It was fine for a place to live but it was not near anything. 15 miles to the city, 30 - 40 miles to skiing, at least 5 miles just to find a pizza joint much less a real restaurant. I just didn't get it.
Of course a lot of that question's meaning depends on the tone of voice. Some people just want their fears assuaged. Other people have already made the decision that it's too 'something' for them and they don't want to buy unless you can tell them you're making beaucoup bucks.
We turned down a place we loved because the owner's answer to that question was based on a biz model she built with people she knew. (Corporate retreats, spa days, conferences, biz lunches - things we figured would disappear once we took over and their old office mate moved on.)
Looking around, there really wasn't anything else other than a casino 10 miles away and a seasonal museum. We were scared and she couldn't assuage the fear because it was her biz model and her baby and why didn't we see how great it was.
Try not to take the question personally. (Yeah I know.) You have this fantastic pkg built to hand to potential buyers so this is probably one of the pages already. 'Why guests choose this inn...' Or, 'Who your guests are...'
 
I guess there are all sorts of ways to ask and answer that question. Sounds like they didn't see the location as desirable. I hope you told them you've had thousands of guests who have stayed with you have been drawn to your area & appreciate your location.
I'm not for sale yet, but I know I'll get that same question. Why would someone stay with us when they can stay minutes away right on the ocean? Well, if they want to pay more than a million for an ocean front property, then be my guest!
There's a reason why realtors who sell private homes don't want the owners present when prospective buyers are there. Our feelings get hurt when our place is picked apart. Unfortunately, selling a b&b usually means interaction with the prospective buyers.
Prospective buyers are so clueless most of the time. They think they're going to get a property in a thriving tourist area, yet they don't/can't pay the high dollar price for it.
Your place is beautiful and offers a quality of life in a small town. The right buyer will be there. Hang in there..
Breakfast Nemo said:
Sounds like they didn't see the location as desirable.
That is the funny part imo, if you drive in, walk through the inn and then drive out.
There is a gal at another inn on this forum which is for sale, she booked a night in, get the feel, experience. She has stayed here as well, and she loved every minute, and we really liked her alot, but she has a consultant team assisting and trying to push her to B&B's that are not lifestyle, in other words twice or three times+ our asking price.
It is a good move to spend the night, to see every detail from the inside out. Good move.
.
Joey Bloggs said:
It is a good move to spend the night, to see every detail from the inside out. Good move.
We stayed here 3 times. I agree that it's important to not just breeze thru. Not sure how to offer that experience without having everyone say they are looking to buy!
Especially true if you've never been to the area. Ex - where ARE your buyers staying tonight? Last night? Did they feel awkward booking a night with you? (The selling broker told the POs not to let us stay. They didn't want us pumping them for info or finding the skeletons.)
How do we ask this question when the buyer has set up an appt? 'So, where are you staying while you look around?'
 
I guess there are all sorts of ways to ask and answer that question. Sounds like they didn't see the location as desirable. I hope you told them you've had thousands of guests who have stayed with you have been drawn to your area & appreciate your location.
I'm not for sale yet, but I know I'll get that same question. Why would someone stay with us when they can stay minutes away right on the ocean? Well, if they want to pay more than a million for an ocean front property, then be my guest!
There's a reason why realtors who sell private homes don't want the owners present when prospective buyers are there. Our feelings get hurt when our place is picked apart. Unfortunately, selling a b&b usually means interaction with the prospective buyers.
Prospective buyers are so clueless most of the time. They think they're going to get a property in a thriving tourist area, yet they don't/can't pay the high dollar price for it.
Your place is beautiful and offers a quality of life in a small town. The right buyer will be there. Hang in there..
Breakfast Nemo said:
Sounds like they didn't see the location as desirable.
That is the funny part imo, if you drive in, walk through the inn and then drive out.
There is a gal at another inn on this forum which is for sale, she booked a night in, get the feel, experience. She has stayed here as well, and she loved every minute, and we really liked her alot, but she has a consultant team assisting and trying to push her to B&B's that are not lifestyle, in other words twice or three times+ our asking price.
It is a good move to spend the night, to see every detail from the inside out. Good move.
.
Joey Bloggs said:
Breakfast Nemo said:
Sounds like they didn't see the location as desirable.
That is the funny part imo, if you drive in, walk through the inn and then drive out.
There is a gal at another inn on this forum which is for sale, she booked a night in, get the feel, experience. She has stayed here as well, and she loved every minute, and we really liked her alot, but she has a consultant team assisting and trying to push her to B&B's that are not lifestyle, in other words twice or three times+ our asking price.
It is a good move to spend the night, to see every detail from the inside out. Good move.
I get it. We lived in a different state when my agent told us about what is now our inn. I saw pictures and descriptions, but couldn't leave for 2 weeks to see the place in person. On paper, it was exactly what we were looking for. We actually opened escrow without seeing it in person. We could get out of the deal if I didn't like anything when I was able to get there for the first time. I spent 2 nights. When I first drove up, I was a little disappointed, I didn't quite 'get it'. After 1 night, "I GOT IT!" The specialness of this place became very clear. There was a calmness that this place offered that no one gets just by driving up and walking through.
When my plane descended into the LA area on my way home, I started to cry. I had left my heart at the b&b and it was that moment that I knew we were making the right decision. I would never have had that connection if I hadn't spent 2 nights at the inn and exploring the area.
What those consultants don't understand is that it's not all about financials. Yes, those are very important, but there's more to it.
 
I personally wouldn't be offended = they are looking to buy, you have to make terrified buyers confident they could make it work here - ie if it is so good why are you selling? is the question running through their mind!
I would have a short elevator speech on why people stay and then may be a point by point fact sheet to give them as a hand out, I would also say if there was anything more they could do to attract X which you don't do ie cyclists, could you provide extra indoor bike storage?drying facilities, packed lunches etc to give them ideas
 
It was in the tone. I cannot write the tone in my words here, that is why I bolded and capped them. It was not a question, we get THAT question all the time. If they had been here overnight at the table with a roomful of delighted guests they would see WHY and HOW and WHAT.
 
It was in the tone. I cannot write the tone in my words here, that is why I bolded and capped them. It was not a question, we get THAT question all the time. If they had been here overnight at the table with a roomful of delighted guests they would see WHY and HOW and WHAT..
I think I would have answered (with it expressed in that tone) Why are you interested in buying it? Perhaps if you had stayed here, you would know why!
IF they would use THAT tone of voice, they are not going to buy it anyway so you would have nothing to lose. BECAUSE it IS my baby, I do not want people who will ruin the reputation I established taking over my baby. I hope I live long enough to have something to say in who gets it.
 
It was in the tone. I cannot write the tone in my words here, that is why I bolded and capped them. It was not a question, we get THAT question all the time. If they had been here overnight at the table with a roomful of delighted guests they would see WHY and HOW and WHAT..
I think I would have answered (with it expressed in that tone) Why are you interested in buying it? Perhaps if you had stayed here, you would know why!
IF they would use THAT tone of voice, they are not going to buy it anyway so you would have nothing to lose. BECAUSE it IS my baby, I do not want people who will ruin the reputation I established taking over my baby. I hope I live long enough to have something to say in who gets it.
.
gillumhouse said:
I think I would have answered (with it expressed in that tone) Why are you interested in buying it? Perhaps if you had stayed here, you would know why!
IF they would use THAT tone of voice, they are not going to buy it anyway so you would have nothing to lose. BECAUSE it IS my baby, I do not want people who will ruin the reputation I established taking over my baby. I hope I live long enough to have something to say in who gets it.
I will save the rest for the road trip conversation... :)
 
It was in the tone. I cannot write the tone in my words here, that is why I bolded and capped them. It was not a question, we get THAT question all the time. If they had been here overnight at the table with a roomful of delighted guests they would see WHY and HOW and WHAT..
Joey Bloggs said:
It was in the tone. I cannot write the tone in my words here, that is why I bolded and capped them. It was not a question, we get THAT question all the time. If they had been here overnight at the table with a roomful of delighted guests they would see WHY and HOW and WHAT.
Got the tone. It hurts. They don't have the vision and they can't get it on a drive thru.
 
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