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B&B King
REMAX About Town: Harry Jefferies and B&B’s
By BJ Cherry
Nestled between the Park City Mall and
the Lancaster Health Campus at 1776
Harrisburg Pike, in stark contrast to its’
bustling surroundings, you will find the
REMAX About Town office. You get the
impression that you are about to enter
someone’s home – almost wanting to
knock first. It’s 1:30 in the afternoon,
and although he has an exceptionally
busy schedule, Vice President Harry
Jefferies greets me with a warm smile
and a firm, friendly handshake. Despite
the assertions of “experts” who project
nothing but doom and gloom for the
residential and commercial real estate
markets, Harry Jefferies’ business
is serene and prospering amidst a
maelstrom of naysayers.
The B&B King; Harry Jefferies
You see, just as Harry’s office is a
relief to its hectic surroundings, his
commercial business focus exists
outside of the pessimistic sphere
of the current market. He is doing
exceptionally well, as are his friends
who decided to cash in on the thriving
Bed and Breakfast industry in Lancaster
and its surrounding counties.
With over twenty years of experience
in commercial real estate, Harry has
weathered many market mood swings.
He is passionate, professional, and
extraordinarily knowledgeable about all
eastern and central Pennsylvania has to
offer. Bed and Breakfasts (B&B’s) just
happen to be his forte; and with over
150 B&B’s operating in Lancaster alone,
Harry has more than enough inventory
with which to work.
Asked why he started focusing on
B&B’s roughly nine years ago, Harry
offered that he “loves to stay in Bed
and Breakfasts instead of the run of the
mill hotel chains because they tend to
be quintessential to any particular area.
They are pieces of living history. For
example, the B&B in Intercourse, PA
played an important role as a station
in the Underground Railroad. Not to
mention the people who own and
operate them seem to be more
down to earth and interact directly
with their guests, which makes the
whole experience more personable
and relaxing.”
Indeed, Bed and Breakfasts offer
a unique experience for both the
guest and the owner. They offer an
atmosphere that is friendly and familiar;
an idyllic setting full of history and quaint,
country charm; a refreshing juxtaposition
to the ever-present Motel 6’s, 7’s and
8’s that inundate the highways like
mutant refrigerator boxes nowadays. As
a business opportunity, they marry the
character of the home with a lucrative,
self-controlled investment.
Harry prefers selling B&B’s precisely
because of these benefits, which makes
them so appealing to buyers. He finds
that most buyers are those who, after
long hard years of the rat race, desire
a more restive and relaxed business
opportunity – one that allows the
owner’s own distinct style to shine
through. These are people who long
for a change in their status quo. From
business people, to school teachers,
to retirees, they are folks who like
to interact face-to-face with others,
enjoy cooking and camaraderie, and
working in a warm, comfortable, homey
environment – people like Steve and
Jamie Shane.
The Shane’s hooked up with Harry five
years ago when they were searching out
B&B opportunities all along the eastern
seaboard. They were settling in to an
early retirement, looking to escape
Ohio, and to own a business with
minimal risk and lots of personality and
earning potential. A simple search on
the internet revealed that Harry Jefferies
was the man they were looking for to
help them realize their dreams. With
Harry’s help, they found the Apple Bin
Inn at 2835 Willow Street Pike in Willow
Street. It was perfect!
Steve divulged,”Harry is a top-notch
professional. His insight and experience
with Bed and Breakfasts was paramount
in determining the right location for us.
His knowledge of the area’s tourism
business and the competition helped
us to choose the Apple Bin Inn. The
buying process was smooth and easy.
He immediately found us financing,
lined us up with two local banks, made
sure to cross all the T’s and dot the I’s,
and within four days we were Bed and
Breakfast owners.”
Now, Steve and Jamie, along with their
son, Dylan, meet great people from
all over the world every day. They
have had travelers from 48 states, 45
countries, and all seven continents,
including Antarctica!
What is it about B&B’s that draw such
a blend of clientele and owners? Harry
says that while B&B’s have comparable
prices to many of the major chain hotels,
they offer a more unique experience
that is customized to the individual. They
are safer, personable, and intimate.
“Everybody likes to know the owner,”
Harry says. “You meet real live people
with real live stories.” It makes people
feel like part of the family. Also, it is not
like buying a restaurant or a franchise,
where initial investments can reach into
the millions, where the hours are long
and staffing becomes a major headache,
where new competition is entering the
market wholesale on a daily basis.
The Harry Jefferies Team gathers for conversation at Lovelace Manor on Marietta Avenue;
Especially in Lancaster County where
they can start at only $400,000, B&B’s
afford the buyer a great opportunity to
create either a primary or secondary
revenue stream. Backed by good local
bankers and attorneys, Harry has had
great success securing financing for new
owners. Depending on the level being
sought, B&B’s can range from 400-800
thousand dollars, 3-4 bedrooms, 4-10
bedrooms, and 10+ bedrooms. It all
depends on what the buyer is after, and
Harry is an expert in matching the right
investment choice to the individual.
Typically, buyers are seeking an
operation with 4-10 bedrooms,
which offer a nice return on invest-
ment while maintaining that laidback
and personal approach to doing
business. Not everyone has the skills
to effectively run a B&B. The successful
Bed and Breakfast owner must be able
to do five things: maintain the property,
manage a budget, cook breakfast,
ensure customer satisfaction, and
always be friendly and hospitable.
Seems easy enough, and easier still
when working with an experienced
professional like Harry Jefferies. Harry
is the leading authority for Bed and
Breakfasts not just in Lancaster County,
but Chester, Adams, Berks, Bucks and
even Cape May. His expertise has
helped many folks, like the Shane’s at
Apple Bin Inn, to realize the dream of
owning their own business. He and his
team at REMAX About Town have all
the resources necessary to help anyone
with the will and ambition to find the
perfect Bed and Breakfast for them. FLL
BJ graduated from Albright College with a BA
in English. He is a New Jersey native and is
an aficionado of the finer things in life and
in Lancaster.
Lest you think that Harry is solely focused on Bed & Breakfast’s, nothing could
be further from the truth. Harry has always maintained a strong business profile
in all aspects of real estate sales. In order to provide the exceptional service
level to which his clients are accustomed, Harry has assembled a diverse
team of professionals. Hailing from all different areas of the county, there are
currently six outstanding individuals comprising The Harry Jefferies Team: Office
Manager Karen Boughton, Listing Assistant & Buyer Coordinator Renea Snyder,
Residential Specialists Jennifer Smith & Gary Glass, Investment & Commercial
Specialist Mike Sage, three licensed Realtors and, of course, Harry Jefferies.
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