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Dana Moos

Get INNspired Innkeeping Seminar September 13-15 Portland, Maine

06-06-09
Dana Moos

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.

How do you make the best use of YOUR money?

03-11-09
Dana Moos
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 am, living a dream in Maine as an innkeeper myself. And because I get it, I am able to help buyers and sellers as they hand over their job as innkeeper to another. I think I've used my money pretty wisely.

What better way these days to use our money and make it work for us? Buying an inn or a B&B provides an enjoyable job (both a use and an advantage); it serves as an investment (both a use and an advantage); it buys a home (again, both a use and an advantage); and clearly it buys a lifestyle (you guessed it...both a use and an advantage).

What many first time B&B buyers don't realize is that if they're looking at a property with good business value, they may easily qualify for far more than they would for a private home where your salary is used as the basis for loan qualification. And banks love to lend for successful business purchases, naturally it minimizes their risk. So just because your current salary may not qualify you for a purchase of a million dollar property, the gross revenue and potential of that property does play a significant role. Yes, you need the downpayment, but for a less risky purchase, the bank is often willing to be creative to benefit both the buyer and the bank. Contact a Maine bank to discuss the options - the first step doesn't cost you anything.


give it some thought - you just might get it...

MAINE FOODIES READ ON...2009 James Beard Nominees are in...

03-07-09
Dana Moos

Maine offers some of the most spectacular dining in the country. The 2009 James Beard Foundation nominations are in and we're proud to have such talent right here in the Pine Tree State. Here are this year's Maine Semi-Finalists:

Outstanding Chef: Sam Hayward, Fore Street, Portland, Maine

Outstanding Restaurant: Fore Street, Portland, Maine

Best New Restaurant: Emilista, Portland, Maine

Best Chef, Northeast:

Penelle Chase, Phoebe Chase, Megan Chase, and Ted Lafage, Chase's Daily, Belfast, Maine

Rob Evans, Hugo's, Portland, Maine

Clark Frasier and Mark Gaier, Arrows Restaurant, Ogunquit, Maine

Rich Hanson, Cleonice Bistro, Ellsworth, Maine

Brian Hill, Francine Bistro, Camden, Maine

Five final nominees will be announced March 23rd.

"Maine is where Americans want to be..."

03-02-09
Dana Moos

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. These dream places, Brooks (New York Times columnist) contends, are where Americans can have it all: the machine and the garden. Sounds a lot like Maine to me - at least from May through October...."

The article goes on to talk about the summers in Maine and not having to live in one place all the time and having the option of career and seasonal mobility. And I wanted to point out by my winter photos that we do not have constant grey skies! So how does this relate to the homes at VOE? Beautifully. Because the project is both a year round community as well as a summer destination with a rental management option for the vacation home buyer. It's the best of both worlds for me (who loves Maine year round) and snowbirds alike.

Branded Calendars - an interesting tool...so many ways to use it...

03-01-09
Dana Moos

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!