Category — Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate News

It may be hard to believe, but fall at Smith Mountain Lake is just around the corner! Now is the time to start planning your autumn lake getaway! Of course, one of the biggest events of the entire year is the Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival.

The 22^nd Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival will be held September 25^th and 26^th this year. Advance tickets are already on sale for $18.00 for tasters; the ticket price for designated drivers is $12. You can purchase your advance tickets at many merchants in and around the area, or online.

There will be 27 Virginia wineries participating in the Festival, as well as 85 craft and food vendors. Festival-goers will also enjoy live music from several great bands. The Festival will be held at LakeWatch plantation in Moneta, right off of Route 122. There will be lots of free parking available, too.

There are other events this fall that you also may not want to miss! September 18^th is the Annual Antique and Classic Boat Show; this is a FREE event here on the lake. Additionally, throughout October, you can find fall foliage open houses at several of the local wineries.

On October 23, the Blue Ridge Institute will host the Blue Ridge Folk Festival! This is a celebration that brings together everyone from musicians to moonshiners! If you want to be a contender in the 8^th Annual Smith Mountain Lake Fall Chili and Craft Festival, you’d better start working on your recipe; the sampling begins at noon on November 6^th.

Smith Mountain Lake is a place where you can enjoy the great outdoors all year around. If you haven’t had the chance, come for a visit! If you like it, then move here! Whether you want a home in the country or a home on the lake, call Vicki Millehan. She is your local real estate expert!

There are a lot of wonderful things to do in the summer time here at Smith Mountain Lake! Fishing, boating, and hanging out with friends on the water are just a few fun activities that can take you back to memories of summers in your childhood. If you really want to step back in time – to the place of poodle skirts and classic cars – then boy, have we got a place for you! Head on over to the Mayberry Drive-In and Diner in Moneta!

When Bob Craig and Kathy Gentry first opened the Drive-in and Diner in 2008, they weren’t sure if it would last. But they have ended up with something that is quickly becoming a Smith Mountain Lake classic. Located in Moneta, right in the middle of a quiet field, this family-friendly place is definitely unique! “We have a diner in the middle of a cow pasture. It was lack of common sense,” said Craig.

That sure hasn’t stopped locals and visitors from flooding the establishment. You can’t find a better climate for a drive-in! Few to no mosquitoes, perfect weather, and enjoying a good movie with your convertible’s top down make this something that definitely should be added to your summer “to-do” list! And that’s just the environment; then there is the food at the diner.

“We make everything homemade. Our homemade chicken salad and the macaroni salad are both customer favorites,” said Gentry. “I make a special butterscotch pie, and our house dressing is a homemade recipe. We have a lady that comes and makes fried green tomatoes from scratch.” They even offer a call-ahead service, so that customers avoid missing any of the movie by having their food ready when they get there.

Check out these coming attractions to the site: retro carnival rides, like the tilt-a-whirl, that fit the 50′s theme of the diner. Also coming soon: music events! The Mayberry Diner is open daily 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Movies at the drive-in start at dusk. For more information, and show listings, call 540.296.1480.

Bedford and Franklin Counties in VA are great places to live! When you are ready to buy a home in the area, call Vicki Millehan! From quiet homes in the country to lakefront property, she can help you find your own part of Smith Mountain Lake to call home!

Smith Mountain Lake is known for its beauty, and one of the best places to enjoy the lake is at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park. This Saturday, July 24th, is going to be a great weekend to visit! Bring the whole family, and enjoy Music in the Park at Smith Mountain Lake.

Music in the Park will start at 8pm, and last until 10 that evening. Head over to the Smith Mountain Lake Beach pavilion for some great music, and dancing fun! Charlie Greer and the Roanoke Valley Pickers will be providing the foot stompin’, good-time music, and the Old Dominion Cloggers will be on hand to entertain.

You can bring your own food to enjoy, or indulge in ice cream, sausages, hot dogs and other refreshments that will be sold at the event. Children 12 and under get in free, and adult admission is only $5. Music in the Park is sponsored by the Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Even if you can’t come out on Saturday night, the State Park is a great place to spend the day. You can fish without being eaten up by mosquitoes, go hiking, or even learn a little bit about the history of the area. The park also has a 500-foot beach, where you will find lots of swimmers cooling off in the summer heat. If you want to stay, there are 50 outdoor campsites, and 20 cabins available for camping.

Smith Mountain Lake State Park is just one of the wonderful things you can find in the area. From living history, to some of the best Virginia wines, Smith Mountain Lake has a lot to offer. When you are ready to buy a waterfront home on the lake, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert, and a long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake!

One of the best things about living on Smith Mountain Lake is having fun on the water. One great way to do that is sailing. Don’t know how to sail? No problem! You can learn to sail away on Smith Mountain Lake, at the on-site sailing school!

Smith Mountain Lake Sailing School provides US sailing-certified instruction. They can accommodate everyone from beginning sailors, to advanced coaching for those with experience who just want to improve their sailing skills! You can take classes on the school’s sailboats, or on your own boat, if you have one!

The classes focus on safety, good seamanship and, of course, having fun! Classes for beginners will include basic boat handling and sail trim. Instruction also covers sailing principles, and includes on-the-water training. Experienced sailors can receive instruction on racing, and things like spinnaker maneuvers with your crew.

Sailing is a great way to enjoy Smith Mountain Lake! If you love sailing then you should check out the Blackwater Yacht Racing Association races! The summer racing season just ended, but come September, the fall keelboat racing will begin. There are also regattas and social events scheduled throughout the year. If you would like to get involved in the racing, there are usually skippers looking for good crew members!

Of course, the best way to enjoy the lake is from your very own boat dock right in your own backyard! When you are ready to live on Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate resource. If your dream house is a luxury waterfront home, she can help you find the right place to set sail from on Smith Mountain Lake!

Usually, when you read about an open house on our real estate blog, you probably expect to hear about the great features of a lovely home on Smith Mountain Lake. This time, we are talking about a real “peach” of an open house in Bedford –  the Peaks of Otter Winery’s “A Peachy Open House.” Starting July 24^th, and running every weekend through August, you can check out the peaches, apples, and nectarines that make some of the most unique wines you’ll ever taste!

Every Saturday and Sunday, from 12pm to 5pm, head out to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the vineyards and orchards. Bring a picnic lunch, and head out for a relaxing day. Families will enjoy bringing little ones to see the farm animals. Or you can grab a bottle of wine, and take a romantic stroll.

Known for its specialty wines, Peaks of Otter has some fantastic spicy wines in their line-up. If you like it HOT HOT HOT, then you will definitely find something to inspire your taste buds here! The Chili Dawg wine is an award-winning blend of apple and chili wines! This Dawg definitely bites!! If you prefer something even more “caliente,” you may want to try Kiss the Devil. This is a super-hot wine made from 30 varieties of peppers! Most people only cook with it!

There are many more unique wines that you will only find in Bedford, Virginia! Pumpkin Pie, Go-Go-Goji, SweetHeart and Frosty Morn are just a few of the other wines available. Blueberry Muffin-Mark Twain’s Favorite comes in a beautiful triangular-shaped bottle.  

Come for a visit and if you like it then move here! From lakefront homes to mountain views, there is something for everyone! If you are thinking of relocating to the Smith Mountain Lake area, call Vicki Millehan, your local real estate expert!!

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 neighborhood without breaking the bank.

Another way a condo may save you money is in lower maintenance costs. Most condominiums require very little maintenance from the homeowner. Monthly condo association fees usually pay for yard work and major repairs, such as replacing the roof or painting the outside of your home. What is covered by the Condo Association varies from place to place, so be sure and ask to see – in writing – what is covered by yours.

There are other benefits to living in a condominium community. You may find that you have access to wonderful amenities. Clubhouse, spa, and a community pool are all common perks. You also have the benefit of a very social community. Because of the close-knit atmosphere, you may find yourself with more social engagements than you can handle!

You won’t find a condo with better views than those available on Smith Mountain Lake! Come for a visit; if you like it, then move here! From beautiful condos to luxury waterfront homes, you can find the home that fits your family. Call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate resource for Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding area!

We have always said Smith Mountain Lake is a magical place – the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains! This past weekend, people found out dreams DO come true on Smith Mountain Lake. 48 lucky families purchased condos available at Bridgewater Pointe for amazing prices! All 48 units were sold by Prudential Waterfront Properties in one day.

In what was undoubtedly the opportunity of a lifetime, the condos were available to purchase through a buyers lottery. For $5,000, you could put your name in for a chance to buy one of the condos. If your number was drawn on June 27^th, you were able to pick your condo! If your name wasn’t drawn, the $5,000 was returned.

They expected about 100 people to participate in the lottery. Over 300 folks actually showed up! Those who were lucky enough to have their number drawn, walked away with their very own Smith Mountain Lake condo. They have 30 days to arrange their financing and close on the property.

As you can well imagine, there are definitely some very excited people in the area. The three- to four- bedroom homes were being offered at 30%-40% below the assessed value. Some of the properties started as low as $200,000! The deal even included being able to become a member of the Waterfront Country Club with no initiation fee! That is a $10,000 perk! Dreams really do come true on Smith Mountain Lake!!

When you are ready for your own waterfront dream to become a reality, call Vicki Millehan! An agent of Prudential Waterfront Properties and long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake, Vicki’s team can help you find a great deal on a beautiful home on the lake!

If you are looking for Fourth of July fun in Bedford, you will actually have to start looking on July 3rd! Many of the holiday activities will fall on Saturday this year. There are lots of things to do and see. You can start your day at Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia retreat.

The Independence Day Celebration at Poplar Forest will start at 11am. There will be musical performances, dancing, and games. You can also step back in time with historical entertainers, storytelling, and living history demonstrations. Admission is $5.00 for adults, and young people under 16 get in free. At 1:30pm, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence. What a great way to start your celebration of freedom!

You can also celebrate by remembering the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. The National D-Day Memorial will be open until 5pm on July 3rd. You can view fireworks that evening from the Centertown Bedford or Liberty Lake Park.

If you are going to be in the Smith Mountain Lake area, the Annual Smith Mountain Lake Fireworks and Fire Company Fund Raiser will be held on Saturday. All funds raised from the day go to the fire company, which is located at the Parkway Marina. Starting at 5pm, you can enjoy music, food, and fireworks. There is no admission fee, but parking is $10.00 per  carload.

Thomas Jefferson loved this area of Virginia, and with good reason. In his own words, “In point of soil, climate…and good neighborhood, I think it the finest part of Virginia.” If you are looking for a good neighborhood to live in, you can’t get a better endorsement than Thomas Jefferson!   When you are ready to live in Bedford County, call Vicki Millehan! Live the American Dream on Smith Mountain Lake.

There are several reasons why living on the water in Smith Mountain Lake is a dream come true for so many people. You can step out onto your own private boat dock, or head out onto the water to enjoy a spectacular view. A beautiful lake with a mountain surround seems like a small piece of heaven in the Blue Ridge Mountains!

Because there is so much to do and see in the area, Smith Mountain Lake makes a great place to have a vacation home! With its temperate climate, you can actually use your home  year-round. Many buy a waterfront property as a weekend getaway in the area, and end up retiring here. What a great return on your investment!

Waterfront properties are highly sought after. That is what makes them a great investment! These properties hold their value. They may be mildly affected by a slow economy, but waterfront properties are among the first to recover. You can also turn your vacation home into an income property! Renting out your home for others to enjoy can help your lake home pay for itself!

Smith Mountain Lake is a great place to buy the home of your dreams! Whether you plan to make it your primary residence, a vacation home, or an income-generating property, you can find the lakefront home that is just right for you! You can choose from condominiums to luxury homes on or off the water.

So come for a visit, if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to relocate to Virginia, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate resource, and long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake. Having a beautiful home on the water doesn’t have to be just a dream!!

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 Savoy-Lee, Leo Grande, and White Rock Vineyards, offer a great afternoon of tasting in a picture postcard setting.

The final winery on the trail is the Peaks of Otter Winery, famous for its hot and spicy wine named “Chili Dawg”. Part of Johnson’s Orchards, they mix some of the most interesting wines you may ever come across. Join them on July 3 and 4 for free “Chili Dawg”, but be prepared! This wine is made with apples and chili peppers and tastes like pepper jelly!

There is also plenty of history to see as you explore the trail. The National D-day Memorial, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Retreat, and historic Centertown in Bedford should all be on your list of things to do and see! You may need more than one weekend getaway to take it all in!

Once you have a chance to visit Smith Mountain Lake and the Bedford Wine Trail, you will see just how beautiful the area is! You may be longing to immerse yourself in the region. We have a saying around here, “if you like it, then move here!” If you find your heart intoxicated with more than just the wine on the trail, contact Vicki Millehan and let her show you the waterfront home you’ve been dreaming about.