lakefront homes: New Year's Resolutions – Part Two - 01/14/11 02:27 AM
 
Still planning your New Year’s resolutions? Last time, we talked about a resolution for a financial plan for your Smith Mountain Lake home, and your mortgage. This time, let’s talk about insurance and taxes. Owning a home is your biggest investment. Whether you live here year 'round, or own a vacation home, you should make sure you are adequately covered.

 
For your basic policy, get insurance with full replacement coverage (in case your home should burn to the ground). Don’t forget – you own the land on which the home sits, as well. Make sure your property … (0 comments)

lakefront homes: Granite Countertops in your Smith Mountain Lake Home - Some Do's and Don'ts - 11/18/10 09:49 AM
 
Most people nowadays love the look of natural granite countertops. No two are alike, they come in great colors, they're very durable and can last a lifetime and remain beautiful for years to come.These elegant countertops re fond in many local Smith Mountain Lake homes.

Even granite has some limitations, however, and here are a few precautions to keep in mind if you already have granite countertops or are planning to install them in your Smith Mountain Lake home:
 
When serving or cooking with lemon, vinegar or other acids, take care. Use coasters in the case of drinks … (2 comments)

lakefront homes: Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival in Forest VA - 11/06/10 04:27 AM
Not far from Smith Mountain Lake, on November 20th, you can enjoy the second annual Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival in Forest, Virginia. Held at Thomas Jefferson's retreat, Poplar Forest, the event highlights some of the best wines in Virginia. The former president was well known for his passionate beliefs in the benefits of wine drinking. Come celebrate this famous politician and statesman with us!The festival will run from 11am through 5pm on November 20th. "Mr. Jefferson" will be there as well to interact with visitors. You can also enjoy tours of Jefferson's home at Poplar Forest. The retreat is a true … (3 comments)

lakefront homes: Good Old Hospitality for Film at Smith Lake Mountain - 10/27/10 02:15 PM
Whether you live in the area, or are visiting to see the filming of Lake Effects set at or around Smith Mountain Lake, use good old hospitality and etiquette when near the set.
Here are some tips you can follow.
For Spectators:
Stay off the set. If you come across the perimeter of a shoot, don't cross it. There's a lot of equipment on set and a spectator could trip over cords and be injured. Equipment is expensive and if broken can delay filming. Be quiet. If you're watching either from land or water, keep noise to a minimum. Sound equipment … (0 comments)

lakefront homes: “Falling” in Love with Smith Mountain Lake - 10/13/10 04:14 PM
If you have ever had the chance to visit Smith Mountain Lake, then you know the wonderful things you can do here! From boating, to golf, and everything in between, you can find something fun to do. Everyone has a favorite season on the lake. But with the leaves turning vibrant shades of red and gold, it is easy to see why people are "FALLing" in love with Smith Mountain Lake!A great way to enjoy the wonders of fall on the lake is by getting out for a great game of golf! Smith Mountain Lake boasts some of the best courses … (1 comments)

lakefront homes: Fall Can Be a Great Time to Increase Your Home's Curb Appeal - 09/25/10 12:43 PM
If your home has been on the market for more than a few months, it may be time to see if you need a little "facelift". Fall can be a great time to increase your home's curb appeal without spending a lot of money. Making your home stand out above the rest can help your Smith Mountain Lake home sport the best decoration of all: a SOLD sign!Keep it Clean!Besides keeping the lawn neat and clean, the dog days of summer usually do not see a lot of outside maintenance needed on your home. Now that fall is here, it may … (3 comments)

lakefront homes: Memorial Day In Bedford VA - 05/30/10 08:15 AM
In Bedford, Virginia this weekend you will see a lot of flags on display as we honor and remember the men and women who fought for our freedom. There will be many events in Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding areas, but here are a few you may not want to miss!
Wreath Ceremony Memorial Day
At the National D-Day Memorial, they will be holding a "Remembering Their Sacrifice" ceremony. There will be free admission from 10 am until noon with the laying of the wreath beginning at 11am. This is all leads up to the 66th Anniversary of D-Day on … (3 comments)

lakefront homes: The Blue Ridge Parkway Offers Scenic Beauty In Bedford County - 05/26/10 04:20 PM
Known as "America's favorite drive," the Blue Ridge Parkway was recently recognized by Yahoo Travel as one of America's Top 10 Road Trips. You can hop onto the parkway at Roanoke or Peaks of Otter Visitor Centers. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great drive in Bedford County. It will take your breath away.
Along the parkway, you can find several lodges. The Peaks of Otter Lodge is the one closest to Smith Mountain Lake. You can see some wonderful mountain vistas from here. There are great photo opportunities to be had, as wildlife is often seen near the lodge! Located … (2 comments)

lakefront homes: Smith Mountain Lake: A Great Place to Live!! - 05/23/10 02:38 PM
Smith Mountain Lake is known as the "Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains". Beautiful shorelines and spectacular mountain vistas can be seen from almost any home in the area. Temperate weather and friendly neighbors make Smith Mountain Lake a great place to call home.
There are over 500 miles of shoreline on Smith Mountain Lake, spanning several counties. Tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains like a hidden treasure, there is no better place for the perfect escape! Once you have had a chance to visit, you will understand why there is little doubt as to why so many people buy homes here.
… (0 comments)

lakefront homes: It’s BBQ Time at the Sedalia Center - 05/21/10 04:38 AM
Summer is fast approaching Smith Mountain Lake and Bedford, VA. Just looking around the neighborhoods, you can see the season getting ready to begin. Boats are being prepped for the lake and students everywhere are counting down the last days of school before summer vacation. One of the favorite signs of the changing season is the smell of food on the grill, and that means one thing! - it's BBQ time at the Sedalia Center!!
The 5th Annual BBQ at the Sedalia Center is on Saturday, May 22nd this year. Lovers of barbeque will descend on Big Island VA to sample … (0 comments)

lakefront homes: Winter and Wine on the Bedford Wine Trail - 01/21/10 12:40 PM
The day of wine and roses is just over 3 weeks away! No matter how you celebrate Valentine's Day, you can't go wrong adding a bottle of Virginia wine! Of course picking the right wine takes some research! So shake off those winter blues and hit the Bedford Wine Trail!
100 years ago you would have found tobacco and tomato fields in the landscape of Bedford County. Today, you can find some of the best wines produced in Virginia! You can sample these wines by visiting the wineries that make up the Bedford Wine Trail. Of course this is all just … (11 comments)

lakefront homes: Buying Waterfront Property on Smith Mountain Lake - 12/02/09 12:46 PM
With 500 miles of shoreline, there is a lot of waterfront property available in Smith Mountain Lake! This community of 22,000 boasts some of the most beautiful sunsets in country. Homeowners can enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains reflecting off the lake right from their own backdoor. It truly is a wonderful place to live. It is these amazing waterfront homes that draw many people to the area. Buying waterfront property is completely different from buying a lot in the average community. Here are a few things to remember when looking at a lake front home.
First and foremost, … (0 comments)

lakefront homes: Apple Pickin’ in Bedford VA! - 10/16/09 08:09 AM
This weekend is the annual Apple Harvest Festival at Gross' Orchard. This looks to be a fun family day and the best part about it is admission is FREE! Add the Free Cider and Entertainment and this is a day you do not want to miss! Gross' Orchard is located at 6817 Wheats Valley Rd in Bedford VA.
 
Located at the foot of the beautiful Peaks of Otter, this family orchard has been in operation since before the turn of the century. The Orchard is now being run by the third and fourth generations of the family. The Orchard specializes … (0 comments)

lakefront homes: Falling in Love with Smith Mountain Lake - 10/10/09 03:20 AM
The hustle and bustle of summer at Smith Mountain Lake is pretty exciting. Lots of activities and days in the sun seem to fly by way too fast! A sunset summer cruise is pretty amazing. But don't count out the ol' Lake just because autumn is here! You may be surprised at what you may find if you take a Saturday to cruise the lake in fall!
 
Don't winterize that boat just yet! There are some pretty spectacular things to see. There is probably nothing more peaceful than the lake in the fall. Boat traffic is pretty slow compared to … (4 comments)

lakefront homes: Dealing with the “Rip Rap” at Smith Mountain Lake - 10/06/09 01:50 PM
I know what you are thinking, but no, we do not have a lot of "riff raff" at Smith Mountain Lake! What we do have is "Rip Rap" shorelines. Rip Rap is a way to combat erosion along the banks of the lake. Rocks are put into place to help keep soil erosion down to a minimum. So, how can you tell if you need to control erosion, and if so what is the best way to go about that and safeguard your property's value?
 
What is Rip Rap?
Rip Rap is rock or other material used to protect shorelines, … (4 comments)

lakefront homes: Getting Fit at Smith Mountain Lake!! - 08/12/09 12:52 AM
 
A new business will be opening its doors this fall in the Westlake area! The owners have one goal in mind: keeping the people of Smith Mountain Lake healthy!! Smith Mountain Lake Wellness and Fitness will be opening soon on Westlake Road. Members of the new facility will have access to many programs that will help keep them in shape on general principles and to enjoy the many recreational activities in the area!
Owner Rob Jordan has been a personal trainer in the Smith Mountain Lake area for over two years. He said SML Wellness and Fitness center has one … (2 comments)

lakefront homes: Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Home - 06/26/09 06:11 AM
It doesn't matter if you are searching for a first or second home; today's market is great for people who are looking for a beautiful home to call their own. Because of the great interest rate and low prices, many people are looking into buying a vacation home for the first time!  Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a vacation home!
What do you call ‘heaven"? Is it a beautiful home nestled close to Smith Mountain Lake? Is it a retreat deep in the woods? What is your idea of the perfect vacation? Deciding what type of home … (0 comments)

lakefront homes: Diversity is the Word to Describe Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate - 04/23/09 12:36 AM

 Smith Mountain Lake is called the "Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains" for a reason.  This area is exquisite.  It is highlighted by the sparkling lake with over 500 miles of shoreline.  The surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains give it a hidden feel that makes Smith Mountain Lake seem like a quiet oasis.  It should be no surprise that real estate in this area is highly coveted.
The vast diversity of the real estate in Smith Mountain Lake means that anyone can find their perfect home.  There are planned communities with shared amenities or private lots with plenty of acreage.  Older … (0 comments)

lakefront homes: ESPN Bassmaster Elite Tournament in Smith Mountain Lake - 04/15/09 09:19 AM
The biggest event in Pro Bass Fishing is coming to Smith Mountain Lake on April 22, 2009.  The 4 day ESPN Bassmaster Elite Tournament is a nationally-recognized competition that brings 100 of the best bass fishermen in the world to Smith Mountain Lake. 
The tournament travels to various locations with Smith Mountain Lake as one of the chosen locations.  The title of this leg of the tournament is called the “Blue Ridge Brawl. ”
While the main event is the pro anglers, the event also will have various other events set up for everyone to enjoy.  There is the “Casting Kids … (0 comments)