Moneta, VA

Looking for a great way to celebrate Mother’s Day this year? How about a “staycation” in Smith Mountain Lake? Bring the whole family to celebrate together, or give mom some much- deserved relaxation time in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. It is easy to say “Thanks, Mom,” with a weekend in Smith Mountain Lake.

Ahhhh...the Spa

This is definitely the way to a mom’s heart – a day of spoiling at the spa! And the Pure Spa in Smith Mountain Lake has a wonderful way to make the Monday after Mother’s Day anything but BLAH! The Mommy and Me Monday on May 9 is the perfect gift for moms with little princesses at home. The day includes manicures, pedicures and mini-makeovers. Appointments are limited, so make your reservation soon! If mom needs some alone time to unwind, splurge with a massage package just for her. No matter where you live – the spa is a great way to make ma say “ahhhh!”

A Little Wine Can Be a Good Thing

If your mom needs a little more intensive therapy than a day at the spa can offer (rumors say this can be the case for moms with boys!), a week on the Bedford Wine Trail may be in order! “Five Wineries…One Big Adventure” is the trail's motto, and it is a wonderful way to recuperate from a year of being “mom.” Beautiful orchards and vineyard nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, a glass of award-winning wine in her hand, and a few visits to historical sites in the area...if this sounds like something your mom would love, then the Bedford Wine Trail has you covered this Mother’s Day!

There are lots of wonderful things to do in and around Smith Mountain Lake. Come for a visit, if you like it, then move here. When you are ready for a luxury waterfront home, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert, and longtime Smith Mountain Lake resident.

“Homes for sale in Smith Mountain Lake” – those words are often the beginning of the journey to home ownership, when they're typed into the search bar on an Internet browser. Over 80% of all buyers start their home search online. With so many listings to choose from, how can you be sure your home is standing out from the rest?

Price

There are many reasons why setting the right price for your home is so important. Overpriced homes languish on the market, and often end up selling for much less than the original price. The right price means selling your home in the shortest amount of time, for the most amount of money! But there is more than one way in which price can affect the sale of your home.

Price also makes a difference with internet searches. Most internet home search sites will have pricing in increments of $25,000 - $50,000. Adjusting your price by a few hundred dollars can actually make a difference in how many people view your home. Research has shown that homes ending with $100-$900 will have more hits than those ending in 000.

Make Your Presence Known

Making sure your home is available to view on the Internet is key, so make sure your home has an address on the information highway! The more your real estate agent utilizes social media, the more people have an opportunity to view your home. You'll also want to make sure the information given is correct.

Ask your agent to let you know when your home is listed on their website, then take the time to go and check it out. Make sure the online listing is correct, and that all the pictures look great. If it's an available feature, ask your agent to set up a virtual tour of your home. Remember, a picture is worth a thousand words, but a virtual tour is like being there!

The Internet can be an amazing tool when it comes to selling your Smith Mountain Lake home. If you are looking for an agent with savvy in the virtual world, call Vicki Millehan. She is your local real estate resource, with a great website to show off your home! Or log on and find your dream waterfront home.

Though Smith Mountain Lake makes one feel as though they’re on a permanent vacation, the commercial side of life is still a big part of the lake community. Many SML residents enjoy both life and work in this beautiful, scenic location.

Though there are larger businesses located at the lake such as state-of-the-art health clinics, grocery store chains and land development groups, small businesses are plentiful and well supported here too. Lately, it seems like there is a new small business at Smith Mountain Lake opening every month. Retail stores specializing in distinctive, fun clothing and home decor do well at SML. Restaurants from casual, cafe style to fine dining formal are both easily accepted at Smith Mountain Lake. Even lake recreation-oriented places are able to take advantage of the summertime tourism that the lake draws.

As Smith Mountain Lake continues to be the perfect home to so many, it continues to be the perfect place for a small business. Residents who live at SML can be at their dream place and also start their dream business among the enthusiasm and support of a strong commercial scene here at Smith Mountain Lake.

Smith Mountain Lake is a great place to live. I should know, because I am a long time resident of the area! There is nothing quite like waking up to your own lakefront views. It will only take one visit to see why this is called the Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Be warned, though – many people have come for a visit and never left. They end up buying a home and living on Smith Mountain Lake!

Summer is fast approaching, and thoughts of long, warm days on the water are floating through the air! This is the season that draws all the lake lovers to area. If you have fallen love with Smith Mountain Lake and are thinking of buying a home on the water, there are a few things to keep in mind as you search for the perfect home.

Living along the shoreline is one of the perks of a waterfront property. But with that privilege, does come some restrictions. As part of erosion control and water quality measures, homeowners must make sure any changes they want to make meet specified guidelines. This can even include removing trees.

A beach is a great way to enjoy the lake, and having your own private one only makes it better. Due to restrictions, it may be difficult to add one to an existing property, so keep that in mind as you are home searching. Let your agent know what waterfront amenities you can’t live without, whether that is a boat dock or clear view of the lake. Looking only at homes that have what you need will save you valuable time.

Not sure of the restrictions? For more information on what can and can’t be changed along the shoreline you can check out the Shoreline Management Plan. Knowing what restrictions apply to the property is important. Information on docks and landscaping rules can also be found at the site.

So come for a visit, and if you like it- then move here! Have questions about buying lakefront property? Call me, Vicki Millehan. I have over 19 years experience selling waterfront homes, and I am a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake.

Certainly a high priority of movers is to choose a location where the school systems are well managed, effective and reputable. Anyone considering a Smith Mountain Lake home or property can learn a lot about the area by knowing what kind schools are around - even if they don’t have students in the home. The state of an area’s school systems and educational opportunities reflect the priorities of the community.

Guests of Smith Mountain Lake will be encouraged to know that the three counties surrounding SML - Franklin County, Bedford County, and Pittsylvania County, support excellent, properly managed and successful schools and educational centers. In addition to the public school systems are multiple private education options in each county. Click on the links below to get smart about Smith Mountain Lake schools and see for yourself why this community is proud to show off its school systems.

Franklin County, VA Education

Bedford County, VA Education

Pittsylvania County, VA Education