home sales: Small Plates, BIG Taste in Huddleston, VA - 09/15/10 04:17 AM
There is a new restaurant on Smith Mountain Lake, offering a new kind of dining experience; tapas-style dining. The Small Plates Restaurant offers small plates with BIG taste in Huddleston, VA. Located in Sportsman Marina, the restaurant opened on Memorial Day, and is going strong.
Tapas-style dining is very popular and usually can only be found in larger cities. The concept of this type of dining is to try various small, appetizer-sized dishes so you can enjoy several different flavors and foods at one time. Sharing tapas with a friend is highly encouraged! It allows the diner to experience new foods without … (1 comments)

home sales: Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour - 09/13/10 04:56 PM
If you have ever had the chance to visit Smith Mountain Lake, you know why it is called the "Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains." There are some beautiful luxury waterfront homes along the shore. If you have always wondered what they are like inside, you will soon have the chance to see some of them. October 1st and 2nd will be the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour.The tour has its roots in the 1991 SML Multiple Sclerosis Home tour, set up by Jeanne Wagoner. They hoped to raise at least $10,000 for the charity, by allowing a tour of … (0 comments)

home sales: Fun on Smith Mountain Lake - 08/11/10 02:51 PM
There are lots of ways to have fun on Smith Mountain Lake! Fishing, swimming, and boating are local favorite activities. Then there are things like golf and fine dining that you can enjoy on dry land. Know someone looking for some unique ways to enjoy the lake? Here are just a few suggestions!If you haven't had the chance to take one of the Virginia Dare's specialty cruises, there is one coming up you may not want to miss: it's a real "killer" of a cruise! Yep, it's time for a Murder Mystery Cruise! The next Murder Mystery Cruise will take place … (2 comments)

home sales: Thinking about a Smith Mountain Lake Condo? - 07/08/10 04:44 PM
There are many types of homes available to buyers today. Have you been thinking about a Smith Mountain Lake condo, but aren't sure if that is the life for you? Condominiums, or condos for short, are a great option for many buyers. Let's take a look at some of the benefits of buying a condo.Let's talk about price! Most of the time, a condo is going to cost less than a single-family residence in the same neighborhood. For a young couple just starting out, or someone who is ready to retire, lower prices make it easier to live in your preferred … (2 comments)

home sales: Summertime on the Bedford Wine Trail! - 06/25/10 03:24 PM
Many people don't realize that Virginia has become a top producer of fine wines! While visiting Smith Mountain Lake, you can also explore the Bedford Wine Trail and discover what all the buzz is about!! Spend the day outdoors touring the vineyards and enjoy sampling the local flavors! There is nothing like Summer on the Bedford Wine Trail!!Stop by Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery where you can hike the beautiful Nature Trail at this family owned winery. You can even come back in the fall and help with the harvest if you like! The other wineries on the tour, including the … (0 comments)

home sales: 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)

home sales: Staged to Sell in Smith Mountain Lake - 04/13/10 01:18 AM
One thing most sellers are painfully aware of is the number of homes on the market today. Whether you are selling your lakefront home on Smith Mountain Lake or a home in the country, one thing remains true; staging your home for your Open House will help it sell.
In today's market sellers need to pull out all the stops if they want to sell their home quickly. Most buyers are interested in a home that is ready to move into. In the cash strapped society of today, people want to have some recovery time after purchasing a home before they … (3 comments)

home sales: Jefferson’s Retreat Opens for the Season in Forest, VA - 03/25/10 01:04 AM
April 1st marks the season's opening day at Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's villa retreat. Located a little over 30 miles from Smith Mountain Lake, this historical landmark is a look into the person who was Thomas Jefferson versus the President Thomas Jefferson. You can see the artifacts and hear the history of what happened after he left Washington.
Designed by Jefferson himself, Poplar Forest is said to be one of his greatest architectural accomplishments. Meticulous restorations have pulled this beautiful treasure back from the edge of ruin. It isn't just the home being restored; the landscaping is being brought back to … (0 comments)

home sales: Everyone is Irish in Smith Mountain Lake! - 03/11/10 12:22 PM
Ok, maybe not everyone is Irish, but anyone CAN BE Irish for the day as Smith Mountain Lake celebrates St Patrick's Day. From family fun to great food, you can take your pick on how to celebrate! Here are just a few of the things going on at the lake!
Take the whole family to the Hot Shots Family Fun center on Saturday, March 13th for a St Patty's Day themed day of fun. There will even be live music by the band Dragonfly! If you are looking for something a little more adult, head over to The Landing for their St … (3 comments)

home sales: Getting Your Home Ready for Market in Bedford VA - 02/10/10 12:41 PM
The town of Bedford in Virginia is well known for all the history that can be found on almost every corner. But one place where history may not be quite as celebrated is in the clutter that has accumulated over the winter months. Even though there are plenty of thing to keep you busy during any season; the piles of novels, Sudoku puzzles and extra blankets are a history of how you spent your time while indoors. If you are thinking of putting your house on the market, or if you are just getting a jump start on spring cleaning, here … (0 comments)

home sales: House Hunting 101 In Smith Mountain Lake: Part 2 - 02/06/10 10:42 AM
Last post we started a House Hunting 101 refresher course for those who are in the hunt for the perfect home! Whether you are looking for a waterfront property on Smith Mountain Lake or a farm in the Virginia countryside, these are some basic tips to remember when you are out home shopping. Hopefully they will help you avoid some pitfalls along the way. Let's jump right back in!
Lesson#3: Wait for the home that you really want! No one will argue with you that house hunting can be a roller coaster of emotions. Sometimes those emotions get the best of … (0 comments)

home sales: House Hunting 101 in Smith Mountain Lake: Part 1 - 02/04/10 01:56 AM
There are many reasons why now is a good time to buy a house. Just to mention a few; interest rates are still at historic lows and there is time left to take advantage of the Home Buyers Tax Credit on that new Smith Mountain Lake home. But as you are looking for a home, there are a few things you should remember amid the excitement of the hunt! If you are in need of a House Hunting 101 refresher course, take notes!
Lesson #1: Don't look at homes that are outside of your price range! This may seem like a … (0 comments)

home sales: Smith Mountain Lake Home with a View! - 01/27/10 01:51 AM
Spring is in the air at Smith Mountain Lake! Well, not quite, but you can begin to sense that spring is just around the corner. With the recent monster snow storm and very wet fall, many lakefront homeowners are thinking about spring clean up! As visions of landscaping dance in your head, there are a few extra considerations to make when you have the pleasure of living on the water!
Let's talk trees! One of the reasons most people buy lakefront property is for the view! As you turn an eye to landscaping, don't forget to carefully plan where you are … (2 comments)

home sales: Making Cents on Smith Mountain Lake - 01/14/10 01:03 PM
People in Smith Mountain Lake and around the nation are looking for ways to cut back on their expenses! If you have tightened your belt to the point of breaking and are looking for some simple steps to cut back on utility costs, here are some tips that just might help! Most homeowners can easily take care of most of these on their own.
One of the easiest steps you can take is to do an energy audit. This may help you pinpoint the areas you can improve your home's efficiency. Some utility companies will provide an assessment free of charge … (2 comments)

home sales: Be Amazed in Lynchburg, VA - 01/11/10 10:37 AM
Are you ready to be amazed? Well then, you need to take the family to visit Amazement Square in Lynchburg, VA. Less than 30 miles from Bedford, you will find this "hands on" children's museum. Children can jump, slide and climb their way through four floors of interactive exhibits! Every second and fourth Saturday of the month they even have a family fun night with a reduced admission 5pm-8pm. But, on Saturday January 16th, you can get the whole day's admission for $3 and take part in Maltese Mystery Day!
From 10 am until 5pm your children can enjoy the fun … (0 comments)

home sales: Water Quality and Property Values at Smith Mountain Lake - 01/07/10 12:11 PM
Smith Mountain Lake is known for its crystal clear waters. Most of the lake's 500 miles of shoreline enjoys these clear waters all year around. There are some properties, however, that may have seasonal issues with water clarity and quality. Normally these are found close to the mouth of a few of the small stream inlets at the back of some of the coves. While this does not pose any environmental issues for the owners of the waterfront property in the area, it can affect the property value of the lot.
This is where having an agent who is familiar with … (0 comments)

home sales: Finding the Dream on Smith Mountain Lake! - 09/18/09 07:03 AM
You have finally decided you are ready to take the plunge and purchase that dream home on Smith Mountain Lake! You couldn't pick a better place to buy a home! The area has much to offer. With so much to choose from, how do you decide the home that is right for you? The answer depends on your needs.
Let's start with the reason you are buying a new home. Is this home going to be your primary residence or a second home? If you are looking for a place to get away from it all or looking for a place … (2 comments)

home sales: Celebrate Freedom in Bedford County! - 06/28/09 02:57 AM
All across the country, marching bands are getting ready for the big 4th of July Parades! Families are getting ready to enjoy a weekend of fun and food. If you live in or near Bedford County Virginia there are lots of activities to choose from. One hidden jewel of Bedford County is Poplar Forest; Thomas Jefferson's personal retreat.
It was 200 years ago this year that Jefferson retired from public office and first stayed at Poplar Forest. Construction of the home began in 1806, as Jefferson planned his retirement from politics. He was happy to be free of the weight of … (0 comments)

home sales: 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)

home sales: Smith Mountain Lake Second Home Dreams - 06/21/09 05:06 AM
For many people, the low interest rates and lower home prices make for a perfect recipe to finally be able to fulfill their dream of a second home.  Whether you are thinking of that beautiful vacation home or thinking of how you could profit from having second-home rental income, now may be the perfect time for you to consider investing in a second home. So what are some of the things you need to know before heading out into the market?
 
One of the most important things:  Evaluate your needs and long-term goals. You need to consider what type of … (0 comments)