Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

Category — resort property

Is a Waterfront Property Right for You?


Smith Mountain Lake offers an array of lake front homes. There are cozy condos and magnificent luxury homes. You can find many different homes to suit your budget needs, too.

There are many benefits to waterfront property. One of the most obvious benefits is that you have the lake right there. You have instant access to the water. You can jump in or grab your boat from your own property. It is complete convenience. This is what most people think about when they start shopping for a lakefront home.

However, there is a flip side to a lakefront home. The thing that people do not consider is the responsibility that comes with living on the lake. You are responsible for upkeep. You have to keep the water and the dock in good shape. You have to do clean up and repairs often. It is your responsibility to ensure that your part of the lakefront is kept beautiful. While it may seem simple enough, it can be a lot of work.

If you are serious about owning a lakefront home then Vicki Millehan can help you out. She knows where to find the best deals and she can ensure that the home you buy is the perfect one for you. Let her help you and if you decide that lakefront is not for you then she will be able to help you find the right Smith Mountain Lake home that is.

June 5, 2009   Comments Off

Where to Find the Right Second Home in 2009




The real estate market reflects the economy and times are very uncertain right now. However, for some buyers this is the perfect opportunity to find their dream home at amazing prices and in amazing locations.


Many people are taking the opportunity to buy a second or even third home. It takes careful consideration, though, to get the best deal. It is smart to use a talented and knowledgeable agent who can help you through the process and ensure that you will get the house you want for the price you want.

Vicki Millehan can walk you through every step of the process. Plus, she is located is the heart of one of the best areas for new home buying. Smith Mountain Lake is one of those ideal real estate areas because it is a paradise location that has not yet been discovered by the masses.

According to experts, areas like Smith Mountain Lake are the spots to shop for those second and third home purchases in 2009. The most popular areas have pretty much bottomed out and great deals are few and far between, but in lesser known areas, like Smith Mountain Lake, the deals are abundant.

Are you thinking about getting a second or third home in 2009? Have you set your heart on buying in an area that is perfect for vacationing any time of the year? If you said yes, then Smith Mountain Lake is your place to be. You get everything you want in a home and location, but at prices that can not be beat. Contact Vicki and let her get you that home you’ve been dreaming about. Smith Mountain Lake offers beautiful new and recently built homes right along the lake. If you’re looking for a business opportunity, there’s even a winery for sale!

May 29, 2009   Comments Off

Do You Really Need An Agent to Buy Your Smith Mountain Lake Home?


Buying real estate may seem simple on the surface, but it is not something that everyone can handle on their own, especially when looking for a second home or out of state property. Buyer’s agents are here to help you through the buying process and to ensure your best interests are at the forefront of every deal.

Many people figure they can buy real estate without any assistance. Many times, the idea behind it is to save money. You may think you are getting an agent when talk who has listed a property, but that person is actually working for the seller. In the end, though, you could actually end up paying more money, far more money, than you would have if you had just used a buyer’s agent in the first place.


Doing a purchase on your own involves many more tasks than just finding a piece of property and putting in your bid. You will also need to know how to:

- evaluate properties

- evaluate a fair price

- create documents

While it is possible to do all of this yourself, it is not easy. You will spend a lot of time doing research. Wasting all this time may just mean you lose out on the property of your dreams because instead of being out there looking for real estate, you are stuck inside at a computer doing research.

Using a buyer’s agent is not a requirement, but it is a smart choice. When you choose an agent, though, choose carefully. You want an agent that will work for you. You want an agent who is going to be out there, finding good deals and finding you what you want. You want an agent that is as excited and vested in your purchase as you are. You need Vicki Millehan.

Vicki throws herself into every part of your real estate search, from beginning to end. She will do everything she can to ensure you get the best deal on the best property. She has the knowledge and the skills to do the best job. Vicki knows the diverse properties available in Smith Mountain Lake and will do all the leg work so all you have to do is decide which one to buy.

May 22, 2009   Comments Off

Smith Mountain Lake State Park – Our Town’s Playground

Smith Mountain Lake State Park is a place where you can enjoy it all. From the water to the history, there is a little bit of everything within the park. You can do the traditional park-like activities, meaning hiking and fishing or you can try something new, like testing your wilderness skills or visiting an exhibit on the folklore of Smith Mountain Lake.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park was developed in 1967, after Appalachian Power dammed the Roanoke River in Smith Mountain Gap, near Huddleston. The company donated a parcel of land for the park and the State of Virginia bought the rest. In 1975, the construction began and, finally, in 1983 the park was officially open to visitors. Ever since then this place has been swarming with people taking advantage of all the various things to do.


During the heat of summer you will find many sunbathers and swimmers enjoying the park’s 500 foot beach. On any given evening you will smell the burning campfire, and maybe even hear some campfire tunes coming from the 50 primitive campsites or the 20 cabins. Can’t you just picture yourself jumping in for a refreshing swim? Maybe you’d feel more at home singing along by the campfire while roasting up a marshmallow.


Smith Mountain Lake Park is a great example of how enjoyable and varied the Smith Mountain Lake area is. This park reflects the natural beauty and the laid back atmosphere of the whole town.

Perhaps you would like to stick around and enjoy the park and the town all year long or maybe you just want to check it out a little more. Either way, you need some one to show you around town. Vicki Millehan is one of the area’s top real estate agents and she has chosen this lovely place to call home, so let her be your guide. Vicki will be more than happy to tell you all about what it is really like to live in Smith Mountain Lake and find you a great Virginia property here.

May 20, 2009   2 Comments

House Hunt from the Deck of the Virginia Dare


What is the first thing you think of when you think about Smith Mountain Lake? The lake, of course! Shopping for a new home in Smith Mountain Lake can be a spectacular experience if you check out lake front homes from the deck of the Virginia Dare.

The Virginia Dare is a 19th century side paddle wheeler. It will take you on a 2-hour cruise along the lake, starting near the State Park along 10 miles of shoreline in Smith Mountain Lake.

It is named after Virginia Dare who has become a legendary literary figure. The first white child born in the Americas to English parents, she was a resident of the lost Roanoke Colony on Roanoke Island, now part of North Carolina. The fate of Virginia Dare has been the subject of many literary, film, and television adaptations. Her name graces many tourist attractions in Virginia and North Carolina, as well as many products.

The Virginia Dare cruise offers a festive atmosphere that is open all year round for sightseeing cruises, charters, and special events such as weddings. Built in 1989, the boat offers a panoramic view from its enclosed decks so you can see every detail from the beautiful scenery to the amazing houses along the water front.

There is no better way to really get up close and check out a range of homes in Smith Mountain Lake than by sightseeing on the Virginia Dare. You can check out the homes and then speak with Vicki Millehan about what you liked and what you didn’t like. This can help you and Vicki to figure out what type of home you want. It is a fun way to shop for your Smith Mountain Lake home.

May 17, 2009   Comments Off

Help Pay the Mortgage by Renting your Smith Mountain Lake Home




Does your idea of the perfect vacation spot include water sports, fishing, golf, and plenty to do in the area? Do you enjoy escaping for long weekends to a serene place where you can enjoy your favorite pastimes amidst friendly local resident? Long term, do you see yourself retiring to a place this?

If your answer is “yes” to these questions, you are a good candidate for buying a vacation home. Yet you wonder if this is cost effective. Because the area is in great demand, Smith Mountain Lake is a great location for you and your family – and a great source of income when you aren’t using it. What you earn in rental fees will offset the cost of your mortgage or provide you with extra income each month.

Smith Mountain Lake is a vacationer’s dream. People flock here every year to enjoy the crystal lake, varied wildlife, and welcoming community. It is good place to stay when you want to explore local attractions. Owning a home here allows you a great opportunity to help out the vacationers and help out yourself. As we mentioned in our previous blog Smith Mountain Lake: A Place So Pretty You Might Want to Stay, the area is desirable all year round, even though “in-season” rentals are the most lucrative.

Why let your home sit empty when you can make money renting it to people who will jump at the chance to stay in your home? The homes in Smith Mountain Lake are, no doubt, beautiful and highly coveted, especially the lakefront homes or those homes tucked away along the tree lines that really draw attention.

Even if you do not currently own a home in Smith Mountain Lake, but are considering buying one then keep renting possibilities in mind. You buy a second home and it sits empty half of the year. That seems like a waste of money, but when you take the opportunity to rent into mind you can see how you can turn your second home into a money maker.

If you want to buying a home in Smith Mountain Lake, talk with Vicki Millehan now about the rental potential of your home. Vicki can help you to buy a home and rent your home out. Contact her today!

May 12, 2009   Comments Off

Smith Mountain Lake: So Pretty You Might Want to Stay




The stunning scenery of Smith Mountain Lake makes the area a magnet for vacationers all year round. It’s just a matter of when you want to come.

There are three main rental periods throughout the year in Smith Mountain Lakepeak-season, mid-season and low-season. Understanding each season will help you to make the best rental plans and ensure that you can find the property you want.

Peak-season is the busiest season and occurs from June to August. Waterfront rentals during this time run from $400 to $4000. The cost is generally determined by the size of the home and the included amenities, not as much by the location of the property. So, it is possible to find a nice, smaller sized home or condo right on the lake at the lower end of the price range.


Mid-season is the 4 to 6 weeks that proceed and follow peak-season. There is not as big of a demand for rentals during this time so prices should be very favorable. If you want to go all out you should be able to find some of the larger, million dollar, homes at great deals, too. Imagine how fun it would be to live in a million dollar home while vacationing. Also, the rental terms are more flexible. During peak you usually have very strict guidelines about check in and check out, but during mid-season things tend to be more laid back.


The low-season is, of course, the time outside of peak or mid-season. You will get the best deals at this time because demand is fairly low. You can find some amazing deals that will let you enjoy this beautiful area without the crowds of the summer visitors. With Smith Mountain Lake being beautiful year round, low-season is ideal for someone just wanting to enjoy the scenery. Expect great discounts of 20% to 50% on rentals. Something you could not afford during another time of the year may just be in your price range now.

If renting a vacation home here is great idea, how about buying one? Smith Mountain Lake is the ideal spot to make your home away from home. Aside from the beautiful scenery, we welcome visitors with open arms and make you feel like you belong here! Our low real estate taxes make a Smith Mountain Lake home a great place to rent out part of the year when you or your family aren’t using it. So, contact Vicki Millehan and get started today.

May 7, 2009   Comments Off

Sizzling Summer Homes in Smith Mountain Lake




When people vacation, they often flock to warm and inviting places like lakeside resorts. Though natural warmth and beauty are abundant, the atmosphere may be unwelcoming. It takes some of the fun out of vacation when the locals act like they wish you would leave.


This is not the case in Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia – not just a vacation destination but a community that envelopes visitors into the local community

However long you wish to stay – Smith Mountain Lake welcomes you.


There’s plenty to do in the area, all available to visitors. Once you visit Smith Mountain Lake you will see why it is called the “Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains.” Do not let this opportunity pass you by to enjoy a little Southern hospitality in gorgeous surroundings. .

You can enjoy the area in a wide variety of styles of homes, too, whether you prefer a small cabin by the lake or a large home nestled in the woods. During the peak season from June to August, you can get a lakefront home for about $400 to $4,000 a week. This includes options from a condo to a larger sized family home. You choose the home that suits your needs and desires.


For many people, once they see that Smith Mountain Lake is a friendly community where visitors are always welcomed, a vacation rental turns into a permanent home. Leaving Smith Mountain Lake is hard to do.


Finding a vacation home in Smith Mountain Lake is simple with the help of an area expert like Vicki Millehan.

May 5, 2009   Comments Off

Smith Mountain Lake – A Second Home Second to None!



Smith Mountain Lake is a beautiful area with a relaxing atmosphere so it is no surprise that many people want to buy a second home in the area. When buying a second home it is smart to shop around and really get to know about the area in which you are buying. After all, when you commit to a second home, this means that you also committing much of your future vacation time and lots of your future income to it. You better fall in love it with it! This will allow you to prepare yourself for making the purchase.

The other way to make purchasing your second home in Smith Mountain Lake much easier is to find a realtor that really knows the area. This will help ensure that you can get all the right answers to your questions. Vicki Millehan is the Smith Mountain Lake real estate expert that can walk you through buying your second home with ease. She has the experience and personal knowledge about the area to ensure you find the right home. If you live out of state, Vicki can work with you by phone, mail, or email or work through an agent from your area.

Once you start to work with Vicki you will need to be sure to work carefully to find and compare different lenders. Vicki can you find the best rates and get the best deal. As is the case with your first home, you should be pre-approved for your second home as well.

Since she knows the area, Vicki will be able to help you to find just the right home. You may be interested in the area because you’re a golf nut or love to fishing or boating. Maybe you just like the peace of the water. She will know what area will suit your tastes the best. If you are on more of a budget, then she can help you to find a home that fits into it.

When you choose a good realtor when buying your second home, you will find that it makes the whole process easier. So, contact Vicki today to see what Smith Mountain Lake home will become your second home.

Picture by Bill Piatt

April 27, 2009   Comments Off

Diversity is the Word to Describe Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate




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 lake front homes offer great bargains, while undeveloped lake front lots offer you the chance to create your own dream home. To top it off, almost every home or lot comes with an amazing view or the lake or the mountains.

Prices for real estate in Smith Mountain Lake vary widely, too. Do not assume that you can not afford to live here because there really is something for every budget. You can find a home or condo that works for you, no matter your needs or budget. After all, diversity is what Smith Mountain Lake is all about.

Vicki Millehan can help you find the perfect spot to call home in Smith Mountain Lake. Just stop by her website and check out what Smith Mountain Lake has to offer you.

April 23, 2009   Comments Off