Author Archives: Margaret Craye

Helpful Links While Exploring Home Owenership

If you’ve ever considered investing in a lake home it is no surprise that Smith Mountain Lake has caught your eye (and is sure to steal your heart)! Nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Smith Mountain Lake Community has something for everyone. Boating, biking, hiking and cruising for dinner; along with a diverse artistic community are all features that are rumored to have brought celebrities such as Sissy Spacek, David Baldecci, Tom Cruise and Joe Montana to invest in Smith Mountain Lake homes.

Here are a few guides and resources that you may find helpful while you’re considering all that our mountain-lake community has to offer.

Smith Mountain Laker Magazine
SML Chamber of Commerce
Bedford Chamber of Commerce
Bedford Visitors Center
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce
Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
Water Levels
Water Quality

Lifestyle and Lake is committed to working for each client’s happily ever after. Whatever your real estate goals, give us a call when you are ready to take the plunge!

Bon voyage!

The Lifestyle & Lake Team

 

Real Estate Property Tax Comparison Guide

*This information deemed reliable but not guaranteed

Municipality $ per $100 Assessed Value Estimated Annual Property Tax on a $500,000 Home
Smith Mountain Lake, Va 20,600 acres 580 shoreline miles
Bedford County 540-586-7670

Website: http://www.co.bedford.va.us

$0.52 $2,600
Franklin County 540-483-3081

Website: franklincountyva.gov/tax-rates1

$0.55 $2,752
Pittsylvania County 434-432-7960

Website: http://pittsylvaniacountyva.gov

$0.59 $2,950
Lake Anna, Va 13,000 acres 200 shoreline miles
Spotsylvania County 540-507-7053

Website: http://www.spotsylvania.va.us

$0.85 $4,250
Lousia County 540-967-0401

Website: https://www.louisacounty.com

$0.72 $3,600
Orange County 540-672-3313

Website: http://orangecountyva.gov/

$0.804 $4,020
Lake Gaston 20,000 acres 350 shoreline miles
Mecklenburg 434-738-6191 x4270

Website: http://www.mecklenburgva.com/

$0.42 $2,100
Brunswick 434-848-0248

Website:

$0.52 $2,600
Warren County 252-257-4158

Website: www.warrencountync.com

$0.71 $3,550
Halifax County 434-476-3314

Website: http://www.halifaxcountyva.gov

$0.48 $2,100
Northampton County 252-534-4461

Website: http://www.northamptonnc.com/departments/

$0.92 $4,600

Smith Mountain Lake Sailing School & Charters

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SML Sailing School | 108 Hillcrest Heights | 540.719.0009

Smith Mountain Lake enjoys an incredible sailing community and hosts several excellent regattas through the Blackwater Yacht Racing Association (BYRA) and the Virginia Inland Sailing Association (VISA). If you are new to the sport, check out this family-run business, celebrating it’s 10th Anniversary in 2015, Smith Mountain Lake Sailing School.

Pete Phillip, director, began the school after moving to Union Hall from Connecticut where he headed up the junior sailing program at the Housatonic Yacht Club. Smith Mountain Lake was without a school since the local American Sailing Association (ASA) Academy closed in 2004. The goal was to offer US Sailing Certified instruction at a reasonable price to encourage participation in local sailing activities on the lake.

This goal has certainly been achieved as the school has trained over 400 students; attracting students from Maryland, Carolina, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and all over Virginia; bringing dozens of sailors into competitive sailing.

The program begins with non-sailors learning the basics on a J/24 sloop and advancing to sail solo on the International Laser Sailboat and the Tanzer 16. Students are usually sailing by themselves on the third lesson. The school has also helped experienced sailors to improve their skills through race coaching and spinnaker training on local race boats.

In 2012 the school began offering sailing charters with a licensed captain for visitors to Smith Mountain Lake and offering another way for newcomers to the sport to experience the excitement and the tranquility of sailing. The school has also hosted team building events for corporate teams by simulating the development of an America’s Cup racing crew.

Although the underlying theme is to encourage competition, the basic mission has never changed. “To take you from the shore, raise your sails, and send you across the water with the skill and confidence for a lifetime of voyages.”