41 Harbour Court, Smith Mountain Lake, Moneta VA 24121 - 04/28/08 09:58 PM
Beautiful Waterfront English Manor Home located in a Prestigious Waterfront Community on Smith Mountain Large Sandy Beach and Covered Boadock with Lift, Neslted on a Large wooded lot.  Bright and cheerful kitchenwith a Granite Topped Island and Gas cooktop. The Upper Level has a Huge Master Suite with Private Master bath and three additional guest suites plus a private study.    Large Family room with adjoining game room.  Lots of sundecks to enjoy the outdoors.   Community Club House, Tennis and Pool  Price is $1,799,000 
Lake.
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What is Your Areas, Slogan, Logo or Special Feature...From the Star City of the South - 04/26/08 11:17 PM
Although the real estate market that I specialize in is; Smith Mountain Lake and the Lake is what we are known for, but my heart is also held by  our adjacent City, Roanoke, Virginia.  
Roanoke was originally called      "Big Lick", but was later named Roanoke.    What this area is truly known as is "The Star City of the South"   Back many years ago, I think 1949, on top of Mill Mountain, This Giant Lighted Star was turned on.     Anyone traveling through the beautiful Roanoke Valley along I-581 heading toward US 220, will see this Lighted Monument.    It now carrys the Red, White and … (1 comments)

738 Fox Chase Road, Wirtz VA 24184 Smith Mountain Lake - 04/26/08 09:17 PM

Beautiful Custom Built Lake Home on a Point Lot with 265' of shoreline, Covered Dock,Gorgeous Mountain and Lake Views.    Just listed for $995,000 on Smith Mountain Lake
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402 Anchor Drive, (Smith Mountain Lake) Moneta VA 24121 - 04/25/08 10:45 PM
402 Anchor Drive is an adorable Lakefront Cottage located in The Waterfront Golf and Country Club community on Smith Mountain Lake.   Priced at $595,000 and comes with a Covered Boatdock with Lift and Jet Ski Lift
Beautifully remodeled with two master suites, Large Great Room with open kitchen and Great room with fireplace.    Hardwood Floors, Large Sundeck on Lake side.  Lower level with Large family room with gas log fireplace, 2nd Master Suite,  plus additional guest suite with full bath.  Full Length patio.   Sidewalk to the Covered Boatdock with Electric lift and jet ski lift.   Beautiful 18 Hole golf course with Private … (4 comments)

332 Larboard Drive, Moneta VA 24121 Smith Mountain Lake - 04/24/08 10:47 PM
 
 This Beautiful Home was just listed for $895,000 and is a SHORT SALE listing.    Beautifully designed, see more photos below of the interior.  Located in an 18 Hole Golf Course and Country Club Waterfront Community called
THE WATERFRONT.  

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300 Island Pointe Lane, Moneta VA 24121 Smith Mountain Lake - 04/23/08 09:03 PM
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Light on or Lights Off...Which photos work best? - 04/23/08 08:54 PM
I have several properties where we have tried using Evening Photos.  I am still undecided whether photos taken in the evening   enhance the property or not?    Below are some examples of the types of photos.   What are your opinions? Day Dock or Dock at Dusk?   Day Home or Evening Shot?
         
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Where did that DOG go.... - 04/21/08 10:22 PM
After being in Real Estate over 20 years,   I have some animal stories but I am sure I am not the only one.  I especially remember the time that I showed a home and a Terrier, dashed out the door as I began to open the front door.   Well this can be a rather unpredictable occurence that can truly slow down your showing schedule.   You cannot call the Dog back, because you DO NOT KNOW ITS NAME?   So you yell come DOG, Come hear DOG.  Of course, this Dog does not know who you are yelling for or WHO YOU ARE, so … (11 comments)

Best Camera and Lens for Real Estate Agents - 04/21/08 09:57 PM
Last year I decided to buy a new digital camera, so the Nikon D40 was the chosen one.   My reasoning was it came with two separate lens 200 and a wide angle 55 and was easy to use.  So far this has been a great camera with one exception, when my husband dropped it and broke the Wide Angle lens and the Flash.  So my invest- went a little further, I now have a new detachable flash and I also invested in One Lens that goes from 55 to 200.   Makes life simpilier, not having to change lens from when I … (28 comments)

ITS ALIVE....ITS ALIVE.... ITS ALIVE - 04/21/08 09:33 PM
The Sun came out and the Buyers did too.   This past weekend almost felt like old times.    Buyers were everywhere, Agents were showing and excited, making calls to show listings and we even had competing offers.I hope this is a sign of things to continue.    Being shut up for the Winter "WITH THE TV AND MEDIA", certainly has not helped any real estate market, but let the Sun come out and people go outside and breathe in the Spring Air and start thinking about things they enjoy, including a Lake getaway or a condo at the beach or a cabin in … (2 comments)

Is it a Sunrise or the Moonlight over the Lake - 04/19/08 09:46 PM
This photo was taken at Mariners Landing at Smith Mountain Lake.  Sometimes it is hard to to tell.  Its it the Sun in the sky or the moon.  Either one can be just as beautiful across the sparkling water.
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What Kind of Boatdock? - 04/19/08 12:17 AM
We are located on a 500 mile 22,000 acre,  fresh water lake.  The lake levels stay 5' plus or minus from Full Pond, which is the 795' Sea Level.   This allows us to have some great docks.   Our Shoreline Management rules are set that if you are under 300' of Shoreline you can have up to 1500 Square Feet of Covered Dock, 300'-600'  of shoreline allows 2500 Square Feet and over 600' allow up to 3500 Square feet of dock.  That is larger than some homes.   These docks can have electric cradle lifts, Cabana Bars and storage areas, diving boards,jet ski … (6 comments)

BEAUTIFUL LAKEFRONT HOME AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE - 04/16/08 10:49 PM
SPRING IS HERE!   I just listed this Fantastic Lake home located on a Point lot at Smith Mountain Lake.   It is a great value and includes a Double lift dock with Cabana and Party Deck plus complete Master Suite with adjoining office suite on upper level and the lower level has a Party Cabana wet bar, dual sided stone fireplace and family room.  Outdoor stamped patio with rain guard.   Smith Mountain Lake has over 500 miles of fresh water lake located in Southwest Virginia.   … (1 comments)

The BEST REAL ESTATE ON EARTH - 04/16/08 09:41 PM
I received the following from a fellow REALTOR in my office today and had to pass it along.  The world is becoming smaller everyday when it comes to Real Estate and we will be working international sales one of these days like it is next door, if technology continues in the direction of videos, virtual tours and who knows what, but its all land and water and it is SO BEAUTIFUL......  Enjoy: Astronaut_Sunita_Williams_Photos_of_Earth._.pdf    Thanks Walt for passing this along, so I could pass it along  BE SURE AFTER OPENING TO SCROLL DOWN SLOWLY THROUGH THE PDF.   YOU WILL LOVE THIS, ALL THE … (6 comments)

Its it Spring where you live yet! - 04/16/08 08:31 PM
In Southwest Virginia We are enjoying beautiful Spring weather and beautiful blooming trees.  The Red Buds are gorgeous  along with the Dogwoods.     The Skys are a beautiful blue and the trees are turning green with baby leaves.   It would be interesting to know how the rest of the world is doing.  I noticed in a prior Post it was still snowing in Colorado!
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Agents who tour your properties and leave "PAPER BILLBOARDS" - 04/15/08 11:46 PM
Sometimes another agent will tour one of my listings and will have a large post card that begins with Thanking the Seller for allowing them to show or preview their home.  I consider this advertising to the Seller.   Then they have two or three check blocks that are for either Previewing, Showing or 2nd Showing of Property.   If it is a showing, they leave comments for the Seller.    I think the agent should let the listing agent know this info and we will share this with the Seller.    Maybe I am looking at this wrong  ,but it feels a little like … (10 comments)

Best Wineries and Experiences in California - 04/15/08 11:34 PM
My Husband and I have been to many wine areas, except the most well known "California"  Sonoma/Napa Valley and more.   We are starting to plan a trip there in the next year and really wanted some advice from fellow agents who have been there or are REALTORS in that area.   Thanks ahead for your advice. … (2 comments)

Googles New "Geo" Search Sponsors - 04/15/08 11:30 PM
I have been talking to one of my ad companies and they told me that google has now started  selling to sponsors for search words in Geographic areas such as,  you can buy Beachfront for the New York GEO area or Beachfront for Atlantas GEO area and you will pop up in a google search for that word in that area.   Any comments on this and has anyone else used this.  Supposedly it saves you money by concentrating on that particular territory.
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Loving My Career, My Life, My Spouse and My Wine - 04/15/08 10:10 AM
After taking a few trips to Europe, I started to see the benefits of their style of living.    There were no Big Box Stores, only small village markets and farmers markets.   The locals visited the market almost daily for their selection of meals.   No lugging of lots of grocery bags once a week, only fresh food daily, right from local growers.   Which I hoped meant, less chemicals and refrigerator produce with no flavor.   Meal Time was a real event and time for socializing and spending time enjoying the day.   Sometimes, I feel we as Americans are always in a hurry and … (5 comments)

New Twist on Staging Homes to Sell - 04/14/08 10:58 PM
I have several properties that I feel need to raise the "desiribility level" of their home, in order to get a the Buyers "WOW" factor and be remembered.    I have a good friend that has awesome taste and is doing staging part time but in  my opinion should be doing it full time.  She has a real talent.    I continue to run into Sellers who listen to her "great advice" and then do nothing, stating they don't want to or can't afford to put more money into the property unless it sells.    I suggested that maybe she could start a "new … (3 comments)

Auctions Do they help or hurt - 04/14/08 02:10 PM
Our area is beginning to see more and more Auctions.   It is a great thing for the Auctioneers/Agents, they receive top commissions and get paid for their advertising whether it sells or not.   This past weekend we had a huge development use Auctions to sell property, not because they needed too, but because they wanted to jump start the market.   They sold 24 Condos and homes.  The weekend before a family sold their mothers waterfront estate, which they divided into big lakefront tracts.    They sold all of them to the total of 3.2 million.      Do Auctions hurt the regular selling agent? … (3 comments)

Virtual Tours - 04/13/08 10:34 PM
Technology has certainly improved since I started over 20 years ago.  We use to take a photo, get the film developed, mail the photo to our MLS and they placed it in the MLS Book each week.   Wow..have things changed.   Now the choices we have for a Virtual Tour are amazing.    In our area we have the luck of Virtual Tour Company called Graphic Dimensions.  They actuall do a floor plan of each home and post it with the photos.  The Buyers love it (here is an example) Compass Cove at Smith Mountain Lake.   Then you have the new Video Tours … (7 comments)

Its a Squirrelly Kind of Thing - 04/13/08 08:18 PM
I guess the longer you are in the Real Estate Business the more stories you have.   I think one of the weird stories that I have is the Squirrel Who Broke in my Listing but did not Escape.   Apparently this Little furry animal decided to scurry down the Brick Fireplace of one of my Lake Cottage homes.    This home was closed up for the season, so the poor little squirrel found nothing to eat or drink.    Of course, the fireplace door  that the squirrel used to enter was a one way entry.  So, the squirrel decided that he would eat the window … (8 comments)

Price Versus Property Appeal - 04/13/08 07:43 PM
With bulging inventory and more buyers sitting on the fence, I find myself not only asking Sellers to get the Price right with the market but to also make the "Desiribility Levels" higher.     Staging certainly has worked in a market where homes stay on the market for longer periods.   Sometimes it is hard to decide how far do you go to improve a home.  Does changing the counters to Granite or the carpets to Hardwood help.   I think it depends on the price point, but even if the property has a lower price range the "Desiribility Level" needs to be up.   … (7 comments)

FLEXMLS Is making life easier in this Market - 04/12/08 10:16 PM
One of the things I hear from people all the time is their REALTOR never gets back with them.   In a slow market where houses might stay on the market longer, this is even more important to stay in contact.   Our
MLS system FLEXMLS allow us to set up our contacts to receive market news immediately as soon as a Property sells or a new listing comes on the market.    By setting up the Sellers to receive this information, they feel informed and not as impatient with us, well except if several homes sold in their price range and they had no … (4 comments)

Sitting on the Fence or Jumping in the market - 04/12/08 09:47 PM
Of course as REALTORS, we are asked on a daily basis what we think about the market.  Is it picking up or When will it pick up or even worse when will my home sell.    The media has created a Market full of Fence Sitters, in my opinion.   If anyone has any winning ways to get those buyers off the fence and jumping back in the market, please share. … (0 comments)

Why would you move to Smith Mountain Lake? - 04/12/08 09:29 PM
I have lived in the Smith Mountain Lake Area all my life and watched how this once rural area that was known for good fishing and a great place to go camping, has now after 30 plus years evolved into a Beautiful Lakefront Community with over 500 miles of Fresh Water Lake to Boat On, Go Fishing, Go Sailing, Ride a Jet Ski, Take a Boat Ride and go to dinner, View an incredible Sunset across the lake or wake up to a Beautiful Golden Sunrise across the lake and mountains.   Take a day trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains and … (1 comments)

Frontdoor, Craigs List and many more, what are the Best Sites for Real Estate Agents - 04/12/08 09:10 PM
In the last few years, I think we were all busy, but now that things have slowed down and advertising budgets are so limited, I find that I am using more and more New Sites to get the word out about the type of properties that are in our market including Front Door, Craigs List, Active Rain and many more.    If you have Websites that you have found work, please pass them along.  I think Active Rain has provided a way for Active Agents to find out
information that is really helpful and also gives you a way to share your knowledge … (8 comments)

The High Cost of Print Advertisement versus Internet - 04/12/08 08:18 PM
The cost of advertising has risen to an all time High and yet it seems that print advertising is not producing the phone calls it use to produce.   The internet is a much lower cost for getting your properties into the hands of potential buyers.  Most buyers are shopping on line these days, however Print Advertisement is required for your listings and to Attract Sellers to list their property with you.  Sure, we still get phone calls on print ads and open house advertisements, but the cost of print advertisement does not seem to pay off. … (9 comments)

Trading Properties versus Selling - 04/11/08 10:59 PM
Todays market is offering many challenges for the Real Estate Industry and therefore making us work harder to find ways to sell homes.   When you have a Seller that really needs to move to another area and they have not had any luck selling, the next idea might be "TRADING"     You can post an advertisement in the local newspaper of where they need to move and also send out blogs to other agents.   Someone might need to move from that area to where your Seller has a home.     I have already had a very successful situation and working on another one.   … (2 comments)

Food and Wine Festivals in your Town - 04/10/08 11:40 PM
Who says networking has to be dull.   Food and Wine Festivals are held every month around America.   If you enjoy networking with other REALTORS and  great  Food and Wine, then this Blog may be for you.   If your area is hosting a Food and Wine Festival, please join this blog  and share the dates and times of the festivals with other REALTORS, along with other things they might enjoy while visiting your area.     
Here is a Hyper-Link to one website that shows a list of Food and Wine Festivals around the US and it is pretty good, but if you are a local REALTOR … (6 comments)

Virginia is fastly becoming a Foodie and Wine Lovers location along with Smith Mountain Lake - 04/08/08 10:17 PM
I am native of Virginia and truly love this beautiful State.  As a self proclaimed Foodie and Wine Lover, I have enjoyed traveling around the State of Virginia and visiting many of the new wineries that are cropping up all over the State.  Virginia is quickly becoming known for its many successful grape varieties.  But where there is Wine there is also Great Food.    From Northern Virginia to Smith Mountain Lake, there are many Wine Festivals throughtout the year of which many can be found under http://www.virginiawine.org/    The Monticello Trail, the Shendoah Valley and The Blue Ridge Mountain have not only … (4 comments)

Locating Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia by Zip Codes - 04/08/08 09:25 PM
I specialize in the Smith Mountain Lake area of Southwest Virginia and one of the problems that we constantly run into in our marketing is that Smith Mountain Lake area is not the name of the City or County, it is the name of the 500 mile Lake located in Bedford, Franklin and Roanoke County, Virginia.   Anyone searching Smith Mountain Lake on REALTOR.com has to find Smith Mountain Lake by locating Roanoke, Virginia, then searching through the different  counties.    If you want to search Smith Mountain Lake Properties the following are Zip Codes to use: 24121, 24137,24176, 24101, 24104, 24184 and 24092.   … (7 comments)

 
Steveandglenda_mcdaniel_hair_darkened_2x3

Glenda and Steven McDaniel

Smith Mountain Lake, VA

More about me…

Long and Foster Smith Mountain Lake Office

Address: 16869 Moneta Road, Moneta, VA, 24121

Office Phone: (540) 797-2247

Cell Phone: (540) 797-2247

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