Celebrate Freedom in Bedford County!

All across the country, marching bands are getting ready for the big 4th of July Parades! Families are getting ready to enjoy a weekend of fun and food. If you live in or near Bedford County Virginia there are lots of activities to choose from. One hidden jewel of Bedford County is Poplar Forest; Thomas Jefferson’s personal retreat.
It was 200 years ago this year that Jefferson retired from public office and first stayed at Poplar Forest. Construction of the home began in 1806, as Jefferson planned his retirement from politics. He was happy to be free of the weight of office and was quoted as saying, “Never did a prisoner, released from his chains, feel such relief as I shall on shaking off the shackles of power.” As he shook off the shackles, he made his way to Poplar Forest, where he personally designed an architectural masterpiece! Jefferson had a passion for architecture; Poplar Forest is said to be his most perfectly designed and executed work.
This beautiful estate was almost a lost National Treasure. After years of disrepair, the nonprofit Corporation for Jefferson's Poplar Forest formed in1983. This group led the rescue of Jefferson’s endangered retreat. They were determined to save this historical home for the cultural and educational benefit of present and future generations.
Thanks to their efforts you can enjoy a living lesson in archeology and American history! There may not be a better place to spend the 4th of July if you are a history buff. The Poplar Forest is having a 4th of July celebration that will make you come alive with patriotism! The entrance fee is only $10 per vehicle so the whole family can pile in the car for a day of fun! The retreat will be open from 11am-4pm. What better way to celebrate your Independence Day than exploring the home of one of our greatest leaders? So come join in the Pursuit of Happiness celebration at Poplar Forest!
Why was Thomas Jefferson so in love with the area? Well 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, I don’t think you could get a better reference than Thomas Jefferson! If you want to see what Bedford County has to offer call Vicki Millehan! Come visit for the 4th of July and if you like it, then move here!

It doesn't matter if you are searching for a first or second home; today's market is great for people who are looking for a beautiful home to call their own. Because of the great interest rate and low prices, many people are looking into buying a vacation home for the first time! Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a vacation home!
What do you call ‘heaven"? Is it a beautiful home nestled close to Smith Mountain Lake? Is it a retreat deep in the woods? What is your idea of the perfect vacation? Deciding what type of home you want and where is the first step in buying vacation property. From Condos to Single Family Homes, there is a wide variety to choose from. Using a local realtor will help you find the perfect house for your family's needs!
One way that can help you reach the goal of a vacation home is deciding how much time you will spend there. If you are willing to, you can rent your home out when you are not using it yourself. In most areas, you do not have to pay taxes on rental income if you rent your home out for less than 15 days a year. If you rent your home out more than 15 days a year you have to report the income, but you have the option to deduct expenses, including maintenance and cleaning services!
Some people will even pool their resource with friends or family to increase their buying power. You can have the vacation home of your dreams at a fraction of the cost! If all this talk of having your own perfect spot for a retreat has got you thinking, these few tips may help you get started on Vacation Homeownership.
If you are ready to start looking for your Smith Mountain Lake vacation home, contact Vicki Millehan! If you haven't ever visited our area you need to! From the Bedford Wine Trail to the National D-Day Memorial and the Arts, we offer it all! If you like it, then move here!!!

Smith Mountain Lake Second Home Dreams

For many people, the low interest rates and lower home prices make for a perfect recipe to finally be able to fulfill their dream of a second home. Whether you are thinking of that beautiful vacation home or thinking of how you could profit from having second-home rental income, now may be the perfect time for you to consider investing in a second home. So what are some of the things you need to know before heading out into the market?

One of the most important things: Evaluate your needs and long-term goals. You need to consider what type of second home best suits the way you will use your home. Are you looking for a weekend getaway or as a future place to retire and relax? For weekend getaways, the drive time from your primary residence to your second home should be long enough to escape the trials of the week but short enough that you don't waste relaxation time on the road. Usually purchasing within a day's drive is a good rule of thumb. If you're looking for that perfect place for retirement you may want to check out the health care available in the area and how the home may meet any of your future needs.

Another tip is to Resist the urge to impulse buy. A vacation in that little spot of heaven can cause you to leap before you look. Now, if it is an area like Smith Mountain Lake, it is understandable that you might be ready to sign up early!! It doesn't get more breathtaking than that! However, you should always take a moment to research the home you are buying. This will prevent that dream vacation home from becoming a nightmare!!

One out of three homes sold in 2007 was a vacation home or investment property. As a final tip if you want to join that one of three buyer's group - ALWAYS use a local realtor!! They can help you understand the area market. They can also help you find the perfect second home that has all you could dream of. With a little help from the right agent, you could be the owner of your own vacation property!!!

Whether your idea of a second home is a beautiful lakeside property or even your own winery, Vicki Millehan can walk you through every step of the process! She came here 20 years ago and was so smitten with the area, she has made a career of promoting it. If you want to fall in love, then visit Smith Mountain Lake!! If you like it, then move here!!

Treat Dad on the Trail!!

This weekend treat dad on the Bedford Wine Trail!! Spoil him with wine tasting at the Father's Day Celebration at the Peak's of Otter Winery on June 20th and 21st. If Dad loves the outdoors you can take him to Hickory Hills Vineyards and Winery where he can hike the beautiful Nature Trail, sample wines and even receive a free gift just for being the World's Greatest Dad!!
Of course, the other wineries on the tour, including Savoy-Lee, Leo Grande, and White Rock Vineyards, offer a great afternoon of tasting in a picture postcard setting. If Dad has enough ties and golf balls, the Savoy-Lee is for sale and would make a great gift!

If your father is more into history or cultural events Bedford Wine Trail delivers!! You can bring him to visit the National D-day Monument or he can enjoy one of several interpretations of the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians. If Dad’s passion is music, you can take him to enjoy World Renowned Guitarist Peter Fletcher at the Bower Center. There is so much to do on The Bedford Wine Trail that you may have to come back and indulge YOURSELF once you have shown Dad his special day!!!

As a trail traveler you can enjoy beautiful vistas of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Smith Mountain Lake. It doesn't matter if you are interested in complete weekend getaway or just a day trip; Bedford Wine Trail has it all! You can visit Historical Sites or indulge in internationally acclaimed cultural events. The Bedford Wine Trail is a beautiful place conveniently located only four hours from Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia, three hours from Richmond, Virginia and Raleigh, North Carolina and only two hours from Greensboro, North Carolina.

A word of warning, this area of Virginia is beautiful! You may find yourself longing to immerse yourself in the region. We have a saying around here, “if you like it, move here!” If you find your heart intoxicated with the atmosphere you can find on the Trail and surrounding towns, contact Vicki Millehan and let her get you that Smith Mountain Lake-area home you’ve been dreaming about.

Surviving Tough Times in Your Smith Mountain Lake Vacation Home

In these interesting economic times, everyone needs to find some creative ways to make it through. Many who bought vacation homes back in 2006 or before have seen the stock market take a nose dive and may have taken a hit on the value of their personal residence. As compelling a region as Smith Mountain Lake it, selling the second home here to eliminate the mortgage, insurance, and utility costs may seem to be the best thing to do right now.

This time is not the best time to sell a second home. Nationwide, demand has dropped – by 31% since 2007, per National Association of Realtor figures; last year, median prices dropped by 23%. Ideally, if you are a second homeowner, you should hold on to your property if at all possible, especially if having the home is part of a long term strategy to relocate or for retirement living.

If you want to keep the property you have some options, aside from refinancing or modifying the loan.

Rent out the property. Unless you bought the home to serve as a weekend refuge, you may have long periods where you do not use it. Renting the property offers tax write-offs for maintenance and repairs. In many resort areas, home rent by the week; even if you want to be able to use the home for yourself and your family for a week here or there, you can juggle your own plans with rental availability.

If your property is located in area that holds one-time annual or periodic events (think the Olympics, a major sports event, a major film festival), you can rent the place out for the event for a tidy sum. According to IRS regulations, you do not have to report the money you receive for rent if the time period is under 45 days.

Real estate agent can do a great job of marketing, but many would-be landlords are doing it themselves on the Internet, often using such sites as Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO.com) or Facebook.

Donate to charity for a possible tax write-off. Many charities and non-profits love to raffle or auction off a week in a great vacation spot. You receive no money for the rental though you can negotiate for cleaning expenses, but you may benefit from the tax write-off based on the fair market value. There’s even help to match you up with interested charities at VacationHomesForCharity.org. (Make sure to talk to your tax advisor before deducting anything.)

If you retired to a vacation area in anticipation that your investment portfolio would carry you through, you can donate the home to charity but retain a life estate. If properly set up by your tax advisor, the net result is that you would gain a large tax deduction to offset income.

Appeal your high tax rate. Like elsewhere, vacation home taxes often remain the same even when property values have gone down. Appealing the taxes can be costly, as there may be legal costs involved, but the savings can be substantial if area home prices have dropped. A successful appeal is based on the appraisal being wrong, due to incorrect valuation when compared to like properties or misallocations as to size or the home or number of rooms.

Find a partner. If you sell an interest in the home, you can relieve yourself of some of the burden of maintenance and repair. Often a lawyer will set up a limited liability corporation (LLC) so responsibilities and expenses.

If you decide it is time to sell your Virginia home, homes do move pretty well as long as they are priced right. Vicki Millehan will help you position your home to sell. She can also show you the best homes in Smith Mountain Lake. Check out Vickislakehomes.com.

Celebrate Freedom - Visit the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia

Several days ago, calendar watchers observed that June 6 was D-Day, when 65 years ago , 150,000 Allied solders stormed the beaches of Normandy to make way for the million troops who would follow to liberate Europe from Nazi control. Only a few old men who participated still survive, but at the time of the attack, many participants in this key World War II battle were mere teenagers at the time, who joined the Army to help their country but ended up making history.

Since 2001 this day, considered a turning point in the war, has been memorialized at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia. This site was selected as a tribute to the sacrifice made by Bedford families; of the 35 sons of tiny Bedford who went off to war, 19 were lost on Omaha Beach at Normandy and four more died in the following weeks. Bedford had the highest casualty rate of any place in the country for the D-Day invasion. Old timers still remember the sad day when the news of the first great loss came over the teletype at Green’s Drug Store, the local Western Union Office. The whole town grieved the loss, but as time went on, the memory dimmed for all but the families who had lost sons and the veterans themselves. The vets visited the local school and told local children about their experiences, but they always hoped for a way for the day and the sacrifices of 23 Bedford citizens to be permanently remembered.

Authorized by Congress in 1996, the memorial was planned to help visitors visualize D-Day with a series of three distinct plazas that represent the planning, landing and fighting, and victory stages. Reynolds Garden, the first plaza, symbolizes the enormous planning and preparation that went into the attack and is shaped like the combat patch used by the Allied Expeditionary Force. The second plaza, Gray Plaza, includes a pool with figures of soldiers struggling to come ashore and a representation of the Higgins craft used for the invasion; the pool even has jets that spurt out to simulate gunfire. The necrology wall that lists the men lost from the U.S. and the Allied Forces is at this plaza. The third plaza features the 44 foot tall Overland Arch, inscribed with the day of victory June 6, 1944.

Around D-Day, the memorial is the site of special festivities. The memorial welcomes visitors every day except Christmas, New Year’s, and Thanksgiving from 9 am – 5 pm and offers visitors insight into the history, particularly from the soldiers’ point of view. Programs are also held there about women’s history, black history, and other topics not usually found in presentations about World War II.

A short ride from Smith Mountain Lake, the National Memorial is worth a visit where you’re in the area. If you are thinking of settling here, a trip to the Memorial will give you a sense of the rich local history that will surround you every morning when you arise to the beauty of the area.

To discuss great Smith Mountain Lake real estate opportunities, Vicki Millehan can show your new home - or your second home. Check out her Vickilakehomes website for a gorgeous selection of waterfront homes.

Is a Waterfront Property Right for You?

Smith Mountain Lake offers an array of lake front homes. There are cozy condos and magnificent luxury homes. You can find many different homes to suit your budget needs, too.

There are many benefits to waterfront property. One of the most obvious benefits is that you have the lake right there. You have instant access to the water. You can jump in or grab your boat from your own property. It is complete convenience. This is what most people think about when they start shopping for a lakefront home.

However, there is a flip side to a lakefront home. The thing that people do not consider is the responsibility that comes with living on the lake. You are responsible for upkeep. You have to keep the water and the dock in good shape. You have to do clean up and repairs often. It is your responsibility to ensure that your part of the lakefront is kept beautiful. While it may seem simple enough, it can be a lot of work.

If you are serious about owning a lakefront home then Vicki Millehan can help you out. She knows where to find the best deals and she can ensure that the home you buy is the perfect one for you. Let her help you and if you decide that lakefront is not for you then she will be able to help you find the right Smith Mountain Lake home that is.

What About Bob? and Smith Mountain Lake

Smith Mountain Lake has a Hollywood connection. Many people may not realize it, but this area was the backdrop for What About Bob? a hit 1990s movie. This comedy was filmed right off the lake and the locals even got to get in on the fun.

People are always fascinated with Hollywood. It is easy to become star struck, but you do not have to meet a Hollywood A-lister to get the inside scoop about how movies are made. You can visit Smith Mountain Lake and meet people who were here when What About Bob? was being filmed.

The movie was filmed here during the fall of 1992. Stars Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus were on hand to film the movie in the nearby town of Moneta just off the lake. A real home in town was used and the signs and buildings were made up to look like the fictional movie town, Lake Winnipesaukee.

Even though the house was blown up in the film, it is still there in Moneta. What really happened was Hollywood magic. A scale model of the house was blown up, not the real house.

You can come visit the area and see the remnants from the movie. You can also talk to locals who were there for the filming. It is always exciting to be a part of something like this so people are sure to want to talk about it.

When you are in the Smith Mountain Lake area, you will definitely see right off hand why it was chosen as the film location. It is a stunning area where natural beauty is abundant. Not to mention that the homes and people in this area make a picture perfect setting. If you start to feel at home then let Vicki Millehan show you around. She is the top real estate expert in the area and she can help you make this lovely area your home.