Buying A Bed & Breakfast

Recently, we reconnected with former Kline Corbett Group clients at The Pinetown Bridge Bed & Breakfast. A few years ago, Jerry & Patty dreamed of finding the perfect home for hospitality! They love to host & love Lancaster County. They envisioned a home where they could open a bed & breakfast plus host memorable gatherings. A family member suggested that Jerry & Patty connect with the Kline Corbett Group to assist with their dream. They worked with Doug & Ashley to both sell their former home, and negotiate a fantastic deal on their purchase of 195 Pinetown Rd! Their former home was another unique riverside property with a few challenges to overcome prior to the sale.

This year we held our Annual Agent Summit at the Pinetown Bridge BNB. This was day of planning, learning, & connecting as a team. We discussed market conditions and strategic ways to bring our clients high-value service. We had a few guests as well: Dave Fuchs with Guild Mortgage led the discussion regarding rate adjustments in the mortgage market & creative financing programs. Abby Wendel with TA Elite Settlement Service shared specifics on new requirements for investor real estate purchases.

The Bed & Breakfast is absolutely charming. It has a picturesque riverside setting adjacent to the scenic Pinetown Covered Bridge in Lancaster County’s Manheim Township. The home sits on 2.5 acres bordered BOTH the Conestoga River & the Lititz Run Creek. With a stone courtyard, complimentary coffee bar, & hosts committed to making your stay comfortable: The Pinetown Bridge BNB is something special. Since opening in 2023, they have hosted a variety of international and local guests. Be sure to take a look at their website! Pinetown Bridge BNB Website 

Prior to purchasing the Bed & Breakfast, Jerry & Patty’s former home was another unique riverside property in Lancaster County, but that sale did have some acute challenges to overcome. Their former home on Millcross Rd was lovely home built in the 1960’s. The lot was gorgeous: 3 acres with mature landscaping, beautiful garden full of flowers, stately nut trees. The home was well maintained and spacious with a great floorplan for entertaining, and it served their family well. However, the kitchen & the primary bathroom were . . . kind of ugly. They were still original from the 1960s and many buyers were scared off by the cosmetic appearance. After a few months on the market, the home hadn’t sold. Prospective buyers consistently mentioned the kitchen & primary bathroom as the big turnoffs. Ashley Corbett & Doug Kline connected them with a contractor who specializes on updating homes for resale. Christine & Chris with Renovation Sells offer a unique option for home sellers: they design & renovate a home’s “problem areas” quickly for resale.  (Check out the Before & After) After a few weeks of strategic updates, the kitchen looked beautiful and so much more inviting. Patty says “We’re still so grateful that Doug & Ashley had that connection. We thought buyers would see past the outdated kitchen, but as soon as it was updated: we got an offer.”

With the sale of their former home handled, step 2 was securing their dream Bed & Breakfast. After touring a few different options, the home on Pinetown Road was perfect. Jerry & Patty felt excited to host visitors in the home’s 4 beautiful guest suites. The kitchen was well appointed for preparing meals, and the dining room had ample space plus the coziest wood burning fireplace. With the natural riverside setting and gardens that Jerry & Patty love, this home was an ideal fit. Analyzing the income potential of the home was another item to consider. Patty remembers, “It was nice to talk to Ashley about her short-term rental property. Since she has that hosting experience, it was good to talk with someone who has done what we’re trying to do.”

Seeing Jerry & Patty with their thriving B&B was such a sweet reminder of why we serve as Realtors. Our summit was a reminder of our dedication to helping clients reach their individual goals. There are so many unique motivations for buying a home. We love doing our small part of making dreams become reality!