Category — second homes

Smith Mountain Lake has a Hollywood connection. Many people may not realize it, but this area was the backdrop for What About Bob? a hit 1990s movie. This comedy was filmed right off the lake and the locals even got to get in on the fun.

People are always fascinated with Hollywood. It is easy to become star struck, but you do not have to meet a Hollywood A-lister to get the inside scoop about how movies are made. You can visit Smith Mountain Lake and meet people who were here when What About Bob? was being filmed.

The movie was filmed here during the fall of 1992. Stars Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus were on hand to film the movie in the nearby town of Moneta just off the lake. A real home in town was used and the signs and buildings were made up to look like the fictional movie town, Lake Winnipesaukee.

Even though the house was blown up in the film, it is still there in Moneta. What really happened was Hollywood magic. A scale model of the house was blown up, not the real house.

You can come visit the area and see the remnants from the movie. You can also talk to locals who were there for the filming. It is always exciting to be a part of something like this so people are sure to want to talk about it.

When you are in the Smith Mountain Lake area, you will definitely see right off hand why it was chosen as the film location. It is a stunning area where natural beauty is abundant. Not to mention that the homes and people in this area make a picture perfect setting. If you start to feel at home then let Vicki Millehan show you around. She is the top real estate expert in the area and she can help you make this lovely area your home.

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!

It’s hard to miss the Smith Mountain Dam. It is, after all, why there is a Smith Mountain Lake. It should be no surprise that it is a treasured landmark and a popular attraction in the area.

Owned by the Appalachian Power Company, the dam opened in May, 1976 to serve as the main source of power in the area. Damming the Blackwater and Roanoke Rivers created a 32 mile lake which offers great recreational opportunities, but the dam itself is interesting as well. The dam welcomes you to tour the visitor center where there is an abundance of information at your disposal. In fact, over one million people have toured the dam since it opened.

The visitors center offers an audio-visual presentation that shows the dam being built and there is a mural on the wall that shows how the Smith Mountain Gap looked before the dam was built. Today that gap is filled with water, thanks to the dam.

You can learn more about how the dam works by inspecting the model that shows how water is pumped and stored. Plus, there are additional exhibits that explain how electricity is generated from the dam. It is an overall educational experience for everyone.

The Smith Mountain Lake Dam is open everyday during Daylight Savings Time from 10am to 6pm. All other times of the year the dam operates from 9am to 5pm on Tuesday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday and Monday. It is a good idea to call to confirm the operating hours before your visit. You can also make reservations if you have a large group.

The Smith Mountain Dam is located on the eastern edge of the lake in beautiful Smith Mountain Lake. You can easily find this charming town just off Rt. 751. You will probably fall in love with the laid back atmosphere of the area, the miles of trees and, of course, the glistening lake, so if you think you may just want to spend more time here then give Vicki Millehan a call. She is the local real estate expert that can help you to find a home right in the heart of this paradise.

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.

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.

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!

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 Lake – peak-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.

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.

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