The Mill House Inn
Innkeepers Sylvia and Gary Muller
31 North Mail Street
East Hampton, New York 11937

What advice would you give to people considering the purchase of a historic bed and breakfast?

Do your business plan. Convince yourselves that it is a viable business. Take into account the down time if you have to renovate. Don't let the fact that you fell in love with a beautiful old building cloud your judgment. Be sure to get a competent engineer to inspect the building and even then, assume there are things he missed that you will have to deal with.

And, most of all, be sure that you are cut out to be an innkeeper. It's not for everybody. Take an aspiring innkeeper seminar with Oates and Bredfeldt or some other recognized firm. And then, if you decide to go forward, be prepared to work 24/7 and have fun!

Return to the Advice for Aspiring Innkeepers Index