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Why You Should Consider Moving to Smith Mountain Lake

If you’ve made the decision to relocate to a lakefront home and you haven’t considered Smith Mountain Lake, then you owe it to yourself to learn more about this charming Southern community.

Smith Mountain Lake is nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwest Virginia, creating a breathtaking backdrop that blends seamlessly with the lake itself. Spanning over 500 miles of shoreline, Smith Mountain Lake offers an attractive option for those searching for a vacation residence or maintenance-free living.

How Does Smith Mountain Lake Compare to Other Lakefront Areas?

When researching lake resort areas, you’ve more than likely brushed up on other popular locations on the East Coast including Lake Anna, Lake Gaston, and Lake Norman. You may have even noticed that there are strong similarities between most of these lakefront communities, including access to recreational watersports and outdoor activities, and real estate investment opportunities.

What Sets Smith Mountain Lake Apart?

Centrally located near many major metropolitan areas, Smith Mountain Lake truly caters to those who want a casual, secluded lifestyle, but would still like to be within short traveling distance to larger cities. SML is located in between Roanoke and Lynchburg, allowing residents quick access to shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. Both cities are home to regional airports and train stations, making travel to and from easy and affordable. Larger cities, such as Greensboro, Charlotte, Richmond, and Washington D.C. are also within a short driving distance.

Smith Mountain Lake is a popular choice for real estate investment. While some lakefront locales are strictly known for their luxury waterfront developments, SML offers also single-family homes, water access lots, farmland, and countryside acreage. From condos and townhomes to sprawling estates and rustic farmhouses, Smith Mountain Lake provides a variety of real estate opportunities for investment.

Premier Lakefront Lifestyle

For those interested in premier waterfront property investment, Smith Mountain Lake has some of the most beautiful homes available on the real estate market. Known for unique architecture and upscale amenities like private beaches and multilevel boat docks, these homes embody every aspect of luxury living.

I’ll Help You Find the Right Property

Take a moment to search my featured listings and let me know if there is a property that interests you. I would love the opportunity to introduce you to this wonderful community, and share with you the many reasons why I’ve chosen to call Smith Mountain Lake home.

Three Things That May Increase Your Home’s Worth

If you’re thinking about listing your Smith Mountain Lake home in the not so distant future, you may be interested in which features are popular amongst motivated buyers. Below is a list of perks that are on currently trend within the real estate market:

Distance to Nearby Cities
One of the selling points of moving to Smith Mountain Lake is the area’s distinct location. Small cities, such as Roanoke, Lynchburg, and Charlottesville, are within a short driving distance. Larger metropolitan cities, including Greensboro, Raleigh, Charlotte, and Washington, DC, are close by as well. This gives Smith Mountain Lake the unique ability to feel both removed and connected at the same time.

Trendy Upgrades
If you spend an afternoon casually watching HGTV, you’ll quickly notice a common aesthetic with renovations and interior design. Upgrades such as open floor plans, smart technology, and anything approved by Joanna Gaines are very popular at the moment. If you’re planning on remodeling your kitchen, consider adding smart outlets and lighting along with a farmhouse sink.

Interior Colors
According Zillow’s 2017 Paint Color Analysis, homes with blue kitchens and bathrooms were the most popular with buyers. Neutral colors, such as blues and grays, allow prospects to easily visualize their own belongings in your home.

If you’re thinking about putting your Smith Mountain Lake home on the market, contact me today and we will work together to ensure that your listing gets in front of the right people.

 

Source: Zillow.com, 4 Surprising Things That May Increase How Much Your Home is Worth

 

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

How To Keep Your Home Healthy

We’re in the middle of one of the worst flu seasons on record, causing many of us to pause and focus on our health and habits. Keeping your hands washed and staying at home when you’re sick are noted ways of combating illnesses, but giving careful attention to your living space will add an additional layer of defense.

Update Your Bedding
If you can’t remember when you purchased your mattress, then it may be a good idea to replace it. The National Sleep Foundation recommends replacing your mattress between 5-7 years. Mattresses and pillows are super absorbent, and if it’s on your skin, then it’s in your mattress.

If you are in the market for a new mattress, consider memory foam. These mattresses are naturally antimicrobial and resist dust mites. Purchase a high-quality mattress cover for added protection.

Replace Your Filters
Changing your filters is important for keeping the air in your home dust-free. Generally speaking, a home without pets or allergy sufferers should have new air filters every 90 days. If you suffer from allergies, change your filters every month.

And don’t forget about the filters in your refrigerators and water pitchers. These should be replaced every two months or 40 gallons.

Check Your Detectors
This step falls under mental well-being, but is arguably the most important entry on the list. Making sure that your smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors are working properly could help save your family’s life. Batteries should be changed twice a year, and the unit itself should be changed every 8-10 years.

Keeping your home healthy is a year-round process. If you don’t know where to begin, start by making a list of areas that need to be addressed, and prioritize them. Mark your calendars or set reminders on your phone so that you won’t forget.

Source: QuickenLoans.com, Is Your House Healthy? 4 Areas to Check

Should I Shop for My Home Online?

It’s hard to remember what life was like before the internet. To think that there was a time when you had to lose yourself in an accordion map just to make it to the beach seems comical, simply because all of the information we could ever need is readily available at our fingertips. Now we tell our phone where we want to go, and it will happily guide us from our driveway to our destination while offering restaurant suggestions along the way.

Vetting purchases online isn’t relegated to clothing and technology. Consumers are turning to real estate sites like Zillow to help them find their next home, and relying on virtual tours and slideshows to help familiarize themselves with the property. But can you get a good grasp of a listing from a website alone?

Why It Pays to See Listings in Person

Professional photographers make good money for a reason: understanding how to use lighting, composition, and angles to enhance an image is an art form. Seeing is believing, and a wide-angle lens can make a broom closet look amazing. Plus, photos and virtual tours only offer a visual reference. Rarely will you find photos of the neighbor’s adjoining property, or their extensive collection of inflatable holiday decor.

Working with an experienced local realtor will allow you to get see the whole picture, not just the positives. Your realtor protects your best interests, and offers an unbiased perspective on the property. For example, if you’ve mentioned that maintenance-free living is a top priority, your realtor will show you listings located within an inclusive community. If you have your heart set on a waterfront property, your realtor will exclude farmland and suburban neighborhoods.

There’s no harm in perusing the internet for real estate listings, but when you’re serious about buying a home, there’s no substitute for an experienced local realtor.

Dickens of a Christmas Celebrates 35th Anniversary

The Star City is preparing for Dickens of a Christmas, a hugely popular holiday festival spanning the first three Fridays in December.

This free event brings old-fashioned holiday favorites such as carriage rides, roasted chestnuts, parades, and performers to the streets of Downtown Roanoke. Events include the lighting of the City of Roanoke Christmas Tree, Santa’s Workshop, and Coca-Cola’s Snow Zone.

New for the 35th anniversary is the Winter Carnival, which is scheduled for Friday, December 8th from 6p-10p. The addition will include a jungle crawl, winter race games, and a host of rides and carnival games for the family. All-you-can-ride wristbands are available for $5.

For a full schedule events, as well as information on entertainment, exhibits, and sponsors, please visit www.DowntownRoanoke.org.

Westlake Towne Center Christmas Celebration Planned

The Westlake Tree Lighting and Holiday Open House is scheduled for Thursday, December 7th at Westlake Towne Center. The event begins at 5:30p and culminates with the lighting of the Westlake Towne Center Christmas Tree at 7:30p. Admission to the event is free and includes live music, refreshments, giveaways, and a visit from Santa.

A special screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life” will take place at Westlake Cinema at 8pm for those who donate a new, unwrapped toy to We Care of Franklin County during the event.

For more information, visit www.WestlakeTowneCenter.com or call 540.721.5288

Downtown Moneta Christmas Parade Scheduled

The 6th Annual Downtown Moneta Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting will be taking place this Friday, December 1st from 6p to 8p in Celebration Square. The popular community festival features music, local food and craft vendors, and a visit from Santa!

If you can’t make it to this event don’t worry! There is another tree lighting event taking place in Westlake on December 7th. Read about that event Here.

This event is sponsored by the Moneta Volunteer Fire Department and Moneta Square Association and is located on the Bedford side of Smith Mountain Lake.

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.”

Fall In Love with Smith Mountain Lake

Fall Couple Engagement photo by Nicole ColwellUncover All That Autumn Has In Store

We’ve barely crossed the threshold into September and Smith Mountain Lake is already brimming with the sights, sounds and simmering smells that signify that the autumn season is upon us. Soon the lush greenery that hugs our mountainsides will be sprinkled with foliage in shades of copper and burgundy. Hayrides and pumpkin picking will top weekend to-do lists. And area wineries will be bustling with visitors eager to sample their latest harvest.

Speaking of wine, the Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival, the area’s signature event, is scheduled for Saturday, September 27th and Sunday, September 28th at Lakewatch Plantation in Moneta. Twenty-seven Virginia wineries will be on hand as well as 85 food and craft vendors. Tickets can be purchased online at VisitSmithMountainLake.com. A full list of ticket vendors is listed on the site as well.

The Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival is a wonderful opportunity to mix and mingle with wine enthusiasts from all across the world. And if you’re new to the area, or thinking of relocating, it’s a great chance to meet new friends and learn more about the Smith Mountain Lake area.

New to the area this year, after a 40 year hiatus, is the Franklin County Agricultural Fair. The event takes place September 10th-13th at the Franklin County Recreation Park located in Sontag. Patrons will enjoy carnival rides, exhibition tents showcasing various attractions including a petting zoo and pony rides, and food vendors serving up fair favorites such as kettle corn and cotton candy. You can visit www.FCAgFair.com for more information.

Another fall festival worth noting is the 12th Annual SML Fall Chili and Craft Festival scheduled for Saturday, November 1st at Bridgewater Plaza. This full-day event features music, crafts and a competitive chili cook-off where visitors get to sample recipes from a number of participants. Each visitor gets to vote for their favorites in the categories of “Best Chili,” “People’s Choice,” and “Showmanship.” Tickets are $5 at the gate which allows visitors to sample chili from each booth.

 

If you’d like more information on what to see and do during your stay at Smith Mountain Lake, then I encourage you to explore my website, www.LifestyleAndLake.com. You’ll have access to more than just real estate listings; you’ll learn more about the everyday culture and lifestyle of this beautiful location.

 

I’m your resource for everything Smith Mountain Lake. Let me show you how welcoming the lake lifestyle can be.