Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate

Category — Waterfront property

White Christmas on Smith Mountain Lake?

by GO Agency

Winter storm warnings are in effect for our area this weekend so we may get that perfect white Christmas after all. So snuggle up next to the fire and break out your favorite Virginia wine and enjoy watching the snow fall! If you still have a few people left on your list to buy gifts for, don’t worry! Luckily you can find great gifts right here on the lake!

You can pick up food supplies and that last minute gift of wine at The Mouse Trap at Bridgewater Plaza. They have one of the largest selections of wines in the area. When you are done there you can head over to the Gifts Ahoy shop. You can find Smith Mountain Lake attire for any season, Vera Bradley accessories and homemade fudge. All wonderful gifts for the holidays!

If you want something unique or artistic, then hurry by The Little Gallery for that last minute gift! The original store is located at Bridgewater Plaza; recently they opened a second location at Westlake Towne Center next to the Westlake Library. They offer a wide range of fine art, handmade pottery and jewelry. Recently they have added woven glass art by Erik Markow and Thom Norris. Their art was featured on CBS News Sunday Morning Show.

It is hard to find a place a beautiful and convenient as Smith Mountain Lake! If you haven’t experienced it yet, then come for a visit! If you like it then move here! When you are ready to live on the lake, call Vicki Millehan! Your local real estate expert!

December 19, 2009   Comments Off

Christmas at the Savoy-Lee in Huddleston!

by GO Agency

If you are in the Holiday Spirit, or if you are looking for some holiday spirits, then head on over to the Savoy-Lee Winery. Starting at noon and ending at 5pm every Friday and Saturday all the way through Christmas, you can enjoy the holiday open house in the winery’s tasting room! You may even find a gift for the wine lover on your Christmas List.

Each open house they will feature their Holiday Sangria. Get a group of friends together and enjoy a glass of wine around the fireplace. Oh… there will be fudge and other goodies too! In the spirit of giving the Savoy-Lee is making the recipe for their fudge available so you can share it with other family and friends! If you are looking for a last minute place to hold your holiday get together, whether it is a family affair or an after work get together, ask about availability of the tasting room.

Be careful though, you may just fall in love with the place! And if a small country winery is on your loved ones Christmas list you are in luck! The Savoy-Lee is currently available for purchase. This turn-key winery is already producing award winning wines! The winery grows both red and white European and French American hybrid grapevines. With the “season” not starting until March, there is still plenty of time to get all moved in and settled before jumping into the thick of things!

Bedford County has a growing reputation for great wines! Take some time and explore Virginia wine country along the Bedford Wine Trail! Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to relocate to Virginia, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert and long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake!

December 18, 2009   Comments Off

Smith Mountain Lake: Coffee and Art Blend Together

by GO Agency

Coffee houses are becoming America’s front porch as neighbors and friends gather to share a cup of coffee or exotic teas while they catch up on the local news. At Smith Mountain Lake you can also enjoy some local art with that cup of joe! Just head over to the Westlake Towne Center and stop in at Solid Ground Coffee and Tea! They have begun displaying the work of local artists in their shop.

You can find the works of new artists as well as professional art work adorning the walls of the coffee shop. They will be rotating the art every 6 weeks or so and some piece are definitely for sale! The owners; Robert Carkin and Christopher Spoon, wanted to give Smith Mountain Lake’s local talent a place to display their work. But they are not stopping with art work. Live music is in the works as well!

They are planning open mike nights for Friday and Saturday nights. If you play an instrument or sing, the stage can be yours! You can even play your own original music! Overall they just want to celebrate the diversity of Smith Mountain Lake! Speaking of diverse, you have to try the different flavors of tea and coffee they have! Snow Plum Monkey and Khan’s delight are just a few of the flavors to be had! You can enjoy a heavenly pastry made by Chef Carkin too!

You can find a real sense of community here on the Lake. Virginia is definitely a place where art, community and history all come together! Come for a visit, if you like it then move here! Just give Vicki Millehan a call and she will help you find a place to call your own!

November 11, 2009   Comments Off

Apple Pickin’ in Bedford VA!

by GO Agency

This weekend is the annual Apple Harvest Festival at Gross’ Orchard. This looks to be a fun family day and the best part about it is admission is FREE! Add the Free Cider and Entertainment and this is a day you do not want to miss! Gross’ Orchard is located at 6817 Wheats Valley Rd in Bedford VA.

Located at the foot of the beautiful Peaks of Otter, this family orchard has been in operation since before the turn of the century. The Orchard is now being run by the third and fourth generations of the family. The Orchard specializes in mountain grown peaches and apples. You can purchase right from the online store or you can come and pick your own!

The Apple Harvest Festival has fun for all ages! You can enjoy live bluegrass music or take a spin with a Buggy Ride. There will be food and crafts and even apple butter making going on! So come on out and enjoy some free cider while you listen to the music! Swing by the store and pick up some fresh jellies, jams or even a country ham! If you like the cider, make sure and pick some up to enjoy at home!

The Gross’ Orchard also has the Apple Valley Homeplace if you want a quite place to stay! The Homeplace is a 3 bedroom home surrounded by the orchards. You can sit on the front porch and just relax or you can hike through the peach and apple trees! The Apple Valley Country store is just around the bend! You can enjoy the mountain’s breath taking views!

Apples to Apple wine, Bedford VA has a lot to keep you busy this fall. Come for a visit, if you like it, then move here!! If you are trying to pick out the perfect home in Bedford or Franklin County VA, call Vicki Millehan! She can help you find your own Virginia front porch to sip cider on!

October 16, 2009   Comments Off

Attention First Time Home Buyers in Franklin and Bedford County,VA!

by GO Agency

I think everyone knows what a great area Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding areas of Virginia are! Personally I don’t think there is a better part of the country! If you have been dreaming of owning a home in Bedford or Franklin County, now may be the time. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s $8000 Tax credit for first time home buyers will soon be over. It is not too late to take advantage of the program!!

The program is open until December 1, 2009. If you want to qualify for the program, you need to get started as soon as possible. Closing should be started no later than October 15th. To be eligible for the credit; you need to complete the purchase of the home by November 30, 2009. For the purposes of the tax credit, the purchase date is the date when you close and the title transfers to the new home owner. Because of the newer lending guidelines closing can take a little longer. But that doesn’t mean it is too late, but time is running out!

First time home buyer can qualify for a tax credit of 10% of the purchase price of the home with a maximum credit of $8000. So the question is: who qualifies for the tax credit. Under the Act, a first time home buyer is someone who has not owned a principle residence in the last three years, whether under your name or your spouse’s. The home purchased can be a new home or a resale.

The income guidelines are pretty simple. To receive the full tax credit, a single taxpayer’s maximum income is $75,000. For married taxpayers who file jointly, $150,000 is the maximum. If you make more than those amounts, the tax credit is calculated by income, up to $20,000 above the maximum. Just as an example, if a single taxpayer has an income of $95,000 they will not qualify for any of the credit. If they have an income of $85,000, then the credit amount is calculated according to that income.

If you have any questions about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, call me – Vicki Millehan! I can help you find that dream waterfront property and help you find out if you qualify for the tax credit. There is so much to see and do here in Smith Mountain Lake, VA! Come for a visit, and if you like then move here!!

September 3, 2009   Comments Off

Tropic Heat at Smith Mountain Lake

by GO Agency

Did you know you could practically visit Key West without ever leaving Smith Mountain Lake? Well if you don’t believe me, head on down to the Portside Grill and Bar! Located across from Marker R21, this piece of the tropics likes to boast it is the ONLY restaurant ON the water at the Lake. The reason they feel they can make the claim, is they actually extend out on a dock over the water. So if you are ready for a colorful meal, head on over by boat or by land!!
Lynn and Alice Swain run the restaurant right at the Virginia Dare Marina. This is convenient since they also operate the Virginia Dare cruises on the replica side wheeler!! With a tropical rhythm and food to compliment, most customers may feel they are in Key West! Every other Sunday, you can even enjoy the Steel Drum band from Quest Academy in Roanoke. On the opposite Sundays, a DJ will keep you swaying to the music! Portside Grill and Bar usually opens around 11am on Saturday and Sundays through Nov 1. Until Labor Day, you can catch the fun starting at about 2pm. Usually things wrap up between 9 and 9:30pm…but in the laid back spirit of Key West, you can enjoy the tropic heat until 11pm if the party is still going!!
Speaking of heat, you will hear locals praise the hot sauce at Portside! If you like the hot sauce have no fear, it can be bought in the marina shop! Now what is it they might be pouring the hot sauce over? The menu is simple but great! Peel and eat shrimp, and BBQ sandwiches can be found on the menu, but the most requested item is the Cheeseburger!! These bad boys are grilled right outside the bar and served fresh on an onion roll!! Just wash that down will a cool margarita and you will be hearing the island music.
Children are welcome too! There is ice cream to enjoy and an arcade to conquer. The carp are much obliged to the popcorn the kiddos toss them in the water. “We wanted to emphasize the family aspect, the food and the atmosphere. We don’t want people to be afraid to bring their kids. It’s a very family-friendly atmosphere,” said Alice!
So if you want to enjoy the tropics without leaving the Lake, you have to enjoy a meal at Portside Grill and Bar! If you are looking for a hot property in Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan, your local real estate expert! So come and visit Smith Mountain Lake, if you like it, then move here!!

August 15, 2009   Comments Off