Real Estate Options at Smith Mountain Lake

            One of Smith Mountain Lake’s most appealing attributes is its visually stunning and diverse real estate opportunities. The lake offers a remarkable variety of residential options – from starter condominiums to expansive mansions – as well as building lots, many with lush landscapes and gorgeous lake views.

            There is truly something for everyone among the properties at SML. While its coveted scenery certainly includes million-dollar accommodations, you’ll also find a wide array of more modest homes and maintenance-free neighborhoods. Every housing style and taste is available, including traditional farmhouses, contemporary ranch homes, log homes, colonial two-stories and small-scale cottages. At Smith Mountain Lake, finding the home of your dreams is easy, and quality of life is increased dramatically by water frontage or access.

            One of the best ways to get acquainted with the real estate market at SML is through community developments. Smith Mountain Lake’s newer developments are including maintenance-free accommodations, with much sought-after conveniences incorporated into neighborhoods. Miriam Morris, who retired to the lake with husband Roger from New Jersey in 2008, said they were more than happy to relinquish property-maintenance responsibilities.

            “When you reach the retirement age, there comes a point in your life when you can’t do the hard work involved in maintenance. You want to be doing things other than taking care of your house,” she said.

            Wayne and Cynthia Burris, real estate professionals and residents at Bernard’s Landing, one of the lake’s most established developments, are familiar with the benefits of a maintenance-free lifestyle from both a personal and professional standpoint. Wayne Burris said adding a full-time repair and outdoor-maintenance crew to the usual benefits of a lake community is an important part of residential support.

            “It’s perfect for people who are using it as a vacation home and are there for a short amount of time,” Burris explained. “They can spend more time on the lake. I can’t think of anybody that it wouldn’t suit their lifestyle.”

            Sprawling Smith Mountain Lake is under continuous planning and development. On and off-water lots are tucked away in private settings or stately neighborhoods enhanced by beautiful lake scenery and rich green landscape. Some residential buildings near the lake are used as vacation homes or seasonal rentals.

            Ron Willard has been developing real estate along the Franklin County shores of SML since 1966. A native of the area, Willard said he chose to build in Franklin County because he knew the region, the attraction of Smith Mountain Lake, and wanted to give residents the facilities they deserved.

            “The greatest reward that I get out of this business is when someone says you’ve done a great job and have made my retirement just perfect. I get that frequently and I’m very proud to receive it,” Willard said.

            Local real estate agents report constant activity in the SML market, regardless of highs and lows of the national real estate market trend.

            “I personally had a very good 2008,” said Mary Lou McDonald with Realty World Properties at Smith Mountain Lake. “It was hard work but the buyers were there and are still out there. I have recently closed on a custom build job over $800,000, three waterfront lots, and have an efficiency condo waiting on financing. I have also identified 48 clients who will probably buy something in the next 90-120 days.”

            McDonald said there are several attractions that sell property seekers on Smith Mountain Lake.

            “People love being next to the water; people love coming to the lake; people love retiring to water. Smith Mountain Lake has the draw of the four seasons and the mountains and water. Lake living does not have the hurricane issues and the salt issues like being on the coast,” said McDonald.

            According to McDonald, buyers looking for unbeatable deals on SML property should consider acting soon.

            “Now is the time to buy,” she said. “Investors are looking for that deal to hold for 18-28 months, so if you don’t buy now you will be buying one of those deals investors are closing on now. This year, there are better incentives. It seems everyone is willing to give something to make a deal work. This creates a win/win situation.”

Real Estate

Assist to Sell                                                     540-721-2035

Bernard’s Realty                                               540-721-1095

Buyer’s Agency of Smith Mountain Lake          540-721-1247

Century 21 All-Service                                     540-721-8881

CIR                                                                  540-721-0298

Coldwell Banker Countryside                           540-721-3323

Lake & Land Realty                                         540-721-6005

Lake Retreat Properties, Inc.                            800-421-6980

Lake Team Realty                                            866-355-1020

Lakeshore Rentals & Sales                               540-297-5610

Long & Foster REALTORS                             540-297-4111

Mason Co., REALTORS                                 540-719-4200

Mountain to Lake Realty                                   540-483-5566

Prudential Waterfront Properties                       540-721-8659

Realty World Properties                                   540-721-9100

RE/MAX Lakefront Realty, Inc.                       540-721-3555

Shoreline Realty, Inc.                                        540-297-2322

Smith Mountain Lake, REALTORS                  540-719-1234

Smith Mountain Realty                                      540-721-9003

South Lake Real Estate, LLC                           540-576-9981

Wainwright & Co. Realtors                               540-297-5222

Watermark Realty                                            540-721-5253

Weichert, Realtors Bridges & Co.                     540-721-2560

Westlake Real Estate                                        540-719-4663