Snowmageddon 2014 for Smith Mountain Lake?
The Northeast recently underwent a fairly massive snowstorm, affectionately named Snowmageddon 2014 or what others termed as the Son of Snowmageddon. Our big February snow storm dumped approximately 18 inches of snow in the Smith Mountain Lake area with an average annual snowfall of just about 10 inches, this was one for the books! This […]
How to Price Your Property Appropriately
The real estate market has showed improvement! In fact 2013 was the best year that we had in the local Smith Mountain Lake market since 2006. While I do believe that the market recovery is here to stay in SML, we are seeing the market still favoring the buyer pool. We currently have about a […]
The Dodd-Frank and Qualified Mortgages
Before you start shopping for a home listen up as new lending guidelines have gone into effect! Prior to the mortgage crisis many mortgages were granted without regard to the borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Verification of the borrower’s debt and income usually never took place and a ‘great’ rate was offered, even though […]
2014 SML Real Estate Market Looks Good
The 2013 real estate data for the Smith Mountain Lake area is in and the numbers look great! Lake property sales are up for the first time since 2006, and that’s good news for both buyers and sellers. Overall, sales of lakefront homes, town homes, condos, and lots are up 8.5 percent. This increase comes […]
Buyers Tip: Always Visit a House in Person
For today’s home buyers, the first step in the process is usually to hit the Internet. You might use Google or a real estate-specific site like Trulia, Zillow, or HomeFinder.com to search for available properties, or you may be working with a real estate agent who will send you online listings that meet your requirements […]
Should I List My House During The Holidays?
Over the holiday season and the worst months of winter—January and February—most industries tend to slow down. The real estate market is no exception. So if you’re planning to sell your property, is it a good idea to wait until after the holidays and the winter to put your real estate on the market? Historically […]
Land Surveys For Buyers and Sellers
Land surveys are an often-overlooked part of the real estate trade. A land survey is a detailed inspection of a physical property that shows the actual boundaries of the property, along with all the features that come with it. It’s important for both buyers and sellers to make sure that there’s a current, accurate land […]
High Quality of Life, Low Cost of Living: Retiring at Smith Mountain Lake
Smith Mountain Lake is a popular destination for retirees looking for a great place to enjoy life after work. There are quite a few attractions in this area, such as the scenic surrounding countryside situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains—and of course, the pristine and enchanting lake itself. The moderate climate that still represents all […]
Smith Mountain Lake Water Level Fluctuations
One of the potential drawbacks to lakefront living is water level fluctuation. In some cases, seasonal changes can cause water levels in a lake to go up or down dramatically—and when there are significant changes, some areas of the lake may not be available for year-round use. If you’re a boat owner or looking forward […]
Should You Schedule a Home Inspection Prior to Listing Your House For Sale In Smith Mountain Lake?
If you’ve ever bought or sold a home, you know that the buyer is required to have a home inspection done before the purchase is finalized. Sellers aren’t required to perform a home inspection. However, if you’re selling a home or property here in Smith Mountain Lake, having this done on your own initiative can […]
