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... 05/16/2009

Virginia is for lovers as they say - but it's also for people who love good wine.  No visit to Smith Mountain Lake or anywhere else in Virginia would be complete without a trip to "wine country" - actually nine regions throughout the state. With over 140 wineries, Virginia is finally reaching its promise as the wine producing center that early settlers had hoped it would be.  Only California, New York, Oregon, and Washington currently have more wineries, and the fine and varied output of local vintners has found it way to the White House during the events surrounding President Barack Obama's inauguration and has won praise from Bon Apetit magazine and Martha Stewart. The founding fathers of Virginia saw wine as key to the state's economy and made it a law that every male settler had to ... 05/14/2009

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 residents?  Long term, do you see yourself retiring to a place like 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 ... 05/12/2009

  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 we... 05/07/2009

May 2, 2008 is the date set for Take Pride in Smith Mountain Lake.  This annual community clean up brings everyone together for a great cause – keeping Smith Mountain Lake beautiful. The event uses volunteers that work on boat and foot to clean up along the lake area and shoreline.  Everyone is welcome to be a part of the clean up effort.  Whether it is picking up trash along the water’s edge or dropping off rubbish at the many drop-off points, volunteering for the event is something that brings great pride in this close-knit community.  Getting involves is a fun way to give back to the community and a perfect event to be involved in if you are new around town.  You will see everyone who lives here getting out that day and pitching in.  Nobody is willing to let the area get bogged down ... 04/30/2009

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 th... 04/27/2009

 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 ... 04/23/2009

Smith Mountain Lake is the spot for event #5 of the Virginia Triathlon Series.  This event will be an amazing display of sportsmanship and physical endurance.  It takes great strength and dedication to endure the grueling three legged race through varied terrain. This event takes place in a challenging course sat at the state park.  The first leg is the 750 meter swim that finishes at the swimming beach.  Then participants continue to the 20K bike path and finish off with a 5K run course inside the park. The event takes place on Saturday, May 2, 2009.  It starts at 9:00 am at the Smith Mountain Lake State Park.  There's always something going on at this beautiful waterfront area.  For more information about the homes and condominiums available at Smith Mountain Lake, please contact Vick... 04/20/2009

The biggest event in Pro Bass Fishing is coming to Smith Mountain Lake on April 22, 2009.  The 4 day ESPN Bassmaster Elite Tournament is a nationally-recognized competition that brings 100 of the best bass fishermen in the world to Smith Mountain Lake.  The tournament travels to various locations with Smith Mountain Lake as one of the chosen locations.  The title of this leg of the tournament is called the “Blue Ridge Brawl. ” While the main event is the pro anglers, the event also will have various other events set up for everyone to enjoy.  There is the “Casting Kids Competition” and a pre-show featuring some amazing bluegrass bands.  There is fun for all ages at the Blue Ridge Brawl in Smith Mountain Lake. To find out more about Smith Mountain Lake contact Vicki.  She can tell you ab... 04/15/2009

Smith Mountain Lake has the weather and the set up for the perfect golf game.  Our area courses are designed for top notch play.  You will find amazing courses, like the newly redesigned Water’s Edge Country Club right here in Smith Mountain Lake. The golf courses in the area are championship – premier caliber.  There are international-level designs and breath taking scenery.  You get the best courses laid right down in the middle of some of the most beautiful land in the south.  There are 5 major golf courses in the area.  These courses suit everyone from the beginner to the expert.  No matter which course you choose to play it will be an experience that will leave you wanting more. Here is a list of the local golf courses that you can check out: Westlake Golf & Country Club – A public... 04/13/2009

  Spring tends to bring about a feeling of optimism and this year it is a much needed feeling.  With the economic woes it is great to hear that the real estate market in Smith Mountain Lake is bouncing back. Coming off a slower than average sales period, realtors, buyers and sellers can all breathe a sigh of relief as Smith Mountain Lake has shown hints of a rebound in the real estate market.  Realtors have been showing more homes lately than they have all winter long.  Prices are right for buyers and now is the best time to get the lake side home of your dreams. The market is improving and now is the time to get out there and see what is available.  Let Vicki help you find your family’s next home on Smith Mountain Lake.   04/08/2009

For over 20 years, I have called Smith Mountain Lake my home and for over 18 years have considered it my privilege to sell real estate in this area.  During that time, I have been a top producer for Prudential Waterfront Properties while doing what I love:  matching potential buyers with just the right property in the Smith Mountain Lake region.  Of all the decisions people make when buying or selling a home, the selection of the right real estate agent is the most important.  I strive to give each client the personal touch and go to great lengths to make sure the home is completely ready for move-in or ready to put on the market.  That's why my motto is "I am selling real estate one relationship at a time." Smith Mountain Lake, recently named one of the greatest places to live by a ma... 03/31/2009

Spring has sprung here at beautiful Smith Mountain Lake Virginia.  We have hundereds of great deals that won't last forever, now truly is the time to buy! I've attached a link below to 26 various types of great buys including lots, condo's,large tracts of lands, pre foreclosures, lots with deeded boat slips, new homes priced as low as $199,900.00 and more!  Take a look at the link and for even more listings, visit my web site at www.smithmtnlakeproperties.com . Have a great day!  Life is always good at "the lake"!  Link to my 26 featured listings - http://www.flexmls.com/link.html?opd96hmfurf,11,1   03/24/2009

Most of the buyers at Smith Mountain Lake are either retiring or buying a second home or for investment so we don’t get a lot of chance to talk about the school systems around the lake. The high schoolers on the Franklin County side of the lake attend Franklin County High School. Franklin County High School just received a bronze rating in the 2009 US News and World Report rankings; making it one of the best 1900 schools in the nation (also one of the best top 35 in Virginia). This just makes me smile and it makes me happy for all the educators and students that helped this happen. On a separate note, four Franklin County elementary schools were awarded the 2009 Governor’s Award for Educational Excellence. 01/23/2009

Hot Shots !  @ Halloween (a little while ago but catching up on photos) Here @ Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia our little ones hungry for candy - had alot of fun trick or treating @ a fun place called Hot Shots (Golf and fun center) in Westlake.  Businesses can sponsor a hole and give out candy and other goodies/marketing materials  and the kids/adults don't have to walk house to house - like a trunk or treat.  Anyway, below you will see some of the pics of a good time.  If youare @ Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia @ Halloween next year - its a must go to event!                                                                     12/20/2008

We had 228 price changes from October 10, 2008 through 10/17/2008 at 525pm.  To view complete listing use following link - http://www.flexmls.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?20081017213235038365000000&s=11&id=1 Now is the time to buy.  Sellers are adjusting their prices and still willing to negotiate!  Interest rates are low, why invest in the stock market when Real Estate offers so many great investment opportunities?  For assistance with any of these or any other Real Estate currently availabe in the RVAR MLS, contact Edna Ledoux Jamieson, Realtor/ABR - Lakeshore Rentals & Sales, Inc. Phone 540-520-0168 email - edna@smithmtnlakeproperties.com web - www.smithmtnlakeproperties.com EOH 10/18/2008

  The community encompasses 750 acres and 8.5 miles of shoreline.  The 18-hole, PGA Championship Golf Course was designed by George Dillon of the Fazio Group. The 22,000 square foot clubhouse features a pro shop, fitness center and fine dining.   Other amenities include tennis courts, swimming pool and driving range. Located just minutes to Westlake Town Center and approximately 40 minutes to Downtown Roanoke.  The Waters Edge community has waterfront, water access homes, condo's, town homes & golf villas for your luxury golf course living. Currently 68 active residential listings, prices starting at 225K for a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo all the way up to 1.3Million for a 6 bedroom 3 1/2 bath water front home.  Please take a look at the link below for complete listings.  If you have questio... 09/29/2008

If you were ever thinking of buying a vacation home and want to build equity in your portfolio, you have to visit Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.  With over 500 miles of pristine shoreline, fisherman's paradise, water sports, golf courses and so much more to do, this should be your next vacation destination.  With prices back to normal and bargains to be found, you can never go wrong with the purchase of waterfront property. 04/08/2008

Want to invest, not sure if it is the right time?This is a question faced by many investors with our current market. How far will it drop? What should I expect? When should I react? The answer is a lot more simple than most claim it to be. For the first time in the past 5 years I have been in this business, it truly is a buyers market at Smith Mountain Lake, large inventories and the lack of quick turnovers have many people willing to now consider offers.Dont get me wrong, if you own at Smith Mountain Lake, and have owned for several years, you are still going to make a good deal of money if you decide to sell, not as much as you would have 18 months ago, but there is definately a large curve that I am sure you can live with.Currently we have over 600 waterfront lots on the market, and ... 11/13/2007