Fourth of July Fun in Bedford, VA

If you are looking for Fourth of July fun in Bedford, you will actually have to start looking on July 3rd! Many of the holiday activities will fall on Saturday this year. There are lots of things to do and see. You can start your day at Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia retreat.




The Independence Day Celebration at Poplar Forest will start at 11am. There will be musical performances, dancing, and games. You can also step back in time with historical entertainers, storytelling, and living history demonstrations. Admission is $5.00 for adults, and young people under 16 get in free. At 1:30pm, there will be a reading of the Declaration of Independence. What a great way to start your celebration of freedom!



You can also celebrate by remembering the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. The National D-Day Memorial will be open until 5pm on July 3rd. You can view fireworks that evening from the Centertown Bedford or Liberty Lake Park.



If you are going to be in the Smith Mountain Lake area, the Annual Smith Mountain Lake Fireworks and Fire Company Fund Raiser will be held on Saturday. All funds raised from the day go to the fire company, which is located at the Parkway Marina. Starting at 5pm, you can enjoy music, food, and fireworks. There is no admission fee, but parking is $10.00 per carload.



Thomas Jefferson loved this area of Virginia, and with good reason. 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, you can’t get a better endorsement than Thomas Jefferson! When you are ready to live in Bedford County, call Vicki Millehan! Live the American Dream on Smith Mountain Lake.

Dreams Come True On Smith Mountain Lake

We have always said Smith Mountain Lake is a magical place – the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains! This past weekend, people found out dreams DO come true on Smith Mountain Lake. 48 lucky families purchased condos available at Bridgewater Pointe for amazing prices! All 48 units were sold by Prudential Waterfront Properties in one day.


In what was undoubtedly the opportunity of a lifetime, the condos were available to purchase through a buyers lottery. For $5,000, you could put your name in for a chance to buy one of the condos. If your number was drawn on June 27th, you were able to pick your condo! If your name wasn’t drawn, the $5,000 was returned.

They expected about 100 people to participate in the lottery. Over 300 folks actually showed up! Those who were lucky enough to have their number drawn, walked away with their very own Smith Mountain Lake condo. They have 30 days to arrange their financing and close on the property.

As you can well imagine, there are definitely some very excited people in the area. The three- to four- bedroom homes were being offered at 30%-40% below the assessed value. Some of the properties started as low as $200,000! The deal even included being able to become a member of the Waterfront Country Club with no initiation fee! That is a $10,000 perk! Dreams really do come true on Smith Mountain Lake!!

When you are ready for your own waterfront dream to become a reality, call Vicki Millehan! An agent of Prudential Waterfront Properties and long time resident of Smith Mountain Lake, Vicki’s team can help you find a great deal on a beautiful home on the lake!

Living on the Water in Smith Mountain Lake

There are several reasons why living on the water in Smith Mountain Lake is a dream come true for so many people. You can step out onto your own private boat dock, or head out onto the water to enjoy a spectacular view. A beautiful lake with a mountain surround seems like a small piece of heaven in the Blue Ridge Mountains!




Because there is so much to do and see in the area, Smith Mountain Lake makes a great place to have a vacation home! With its temperate climate, you can actually use your home year-round. Many buy a waterfront property as a weekend getaway in the area, and end up retiring here. What a great return on your investment!



Waterfront properties are highly sought after. That is what makes them a great investment! These properties hold their value. They may be mildly affected by a slow economy, but waterfront properties are among the first to recover. You can also turn your vacation home into an income property! Renting out your home for others to enjoy can help your lake home pay for itself!



Smith Mountain Lake is a great place to buy the home of your dreams! Whether you plan to make it your primary residence, a vacation home, or an income-generating property, you can find the lakefront home that is just right for you! You can choose from condominiums to luxury homes on or off the water.



So come for a visit, if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to relocate to Virginia, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate resource, and long-time resident of Smith Mountain Lake. Having a beautiful home on the water doesn’t have to be just a dream!!

Summertime on the Bedford Wine Trail!

Many people don’t realize that Virginia has become a top producer of fine wines! While visiting Smith Mountain Lake, you can also explore the Bedford Wine Trail and discover what all the buzz is about!! Spend the day outdoors touring the vineyards and enjoy sampling the local flavors! There is nothing like Summer on the Bedford Wine Trail!!




Stop by Hickory Hill Vineyards and Winery where you can hike the beautiful Nature Trail at this family owned winery. You can even come back in the fall and help with the harvest if you like! The other wineries on the tour, including the Savoy-Lee, Leo Grande, and White Rock Vineyards, offer a great afternoon of tasting in a picture postcard setting.



The final winery on the trail is the Peaks of Otter Winery, famous for its hot and spicy wine named “Chili Dawg”. Part of Johnson’s Orchards, they mix some of the most interesting wines you may ever come across. Join them on July 3 and 4 for free “Chili Dawg”, but be prepared! This wine is made with apples and chili peppers and tastes like pepper jelly!



There is also plenty of history to see as you explore the trail. The National D-day Memorial, Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Retreat, and historic Centertown in Bedford should all be on your list of things to do and see! You may need more than one weekend getaway to take it all in!



Once you have a chance to visit Smith Mountain Lake and the Bedford Wine Trail, you will see just how beautiful the area is! You may be longing to immerse yourself in the region. We have a saying around here, "if you like it, then move here!" If you find your heart intoxicated with more than just the wine on the trail, contact Vicki Millehan and let her show you the waterfront home you've been dreaming about.

Making Your Home Look Hot on Smith Mountain Lake

Summer is a wonderful time to work on those to-do lists around your Smith Mountain Lake home! Getting the painting, siding, roofing, and window repairs done are definitely easier when the skies are clear. Making your home more energy efficient – while you're working to make it more attractive and comfortable – is always a great idea. Here are a few tips if you are thinking about making your home look hot this summer!



If you are using a contractor to do the work, be sure to do your research! Check with friends and neighbors to see who they used. Unfortunately, there are many scammers who "were doing a job in the neighborhood and had extra supplies" and have a «great deal» for you. Try to stick with licensed contractors!



What should you look for in a contractor?
There can be quite a bit of difference in the costs for the same project, so getting estimates from three different contractors is a good place to start. You can also visit your local home improvement store to get a ballpark price for the supplies. One of the benefits of remodeling your home is the increase in property value. You don’t want to spend so much that you won’t see a good return on your money when you sell.


Accidents do happen, especially in a construction zone filled with power tools, ladders, and building supplies. Ensuring that the contractor is licensed, bonded, insured, and covered by worker's compensation means you are limiting the liability of your home owner’s insurance. Most contractors won't mind showing you a copy of their paperwork when you get an estimate.



Improving your home is a great way to protect your investment. If you are considering listing your Smith Mountain Lake home for sale, call Vicki Millehan! Her team can help you know what repairs are a «must» for the area. Complete your landscaping plan with a “SOLD” sign in the front yard!

Plan Ahead for July 4th on Smith Mountain Lake!

It may seem a little early to start planning, but the Fourth of July is one of the most popular holidays on Smith Mountain Lake! In an area surrounded by living history, you have a lot to choose from during the holiday weekend.



If you are planning to enjoy the Annual Fireworks show from the water and need to rent a boat, you may want to call now for reservations. Many of the boat rentals along the lake have already started waiting lists for the weekend. The same goes for accommodations. The time to book is now!


The over the water fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30pm on July 3rd at Parkway Marina. The viewing area for boats is off of Saunder's Point. One of the things to remember when you are out enjoying the show is the no-wake tradition in the viewing areas. Captains are asked to keep their speed to idle for the safety of themselves and other boaters.


Over the next few weeks, you will see updates on the activities in and around Smith Mountain Lake in celebration of the Fourth of July! But, don't hesitate when it comes to reserving your room and/or boat. Of course you can always rent a houseboat and take care of both needs at once!


Not only is Smith Mountain Lake a great place to spend a holiday weekend, it is a great place to live. As Smith Mountain Lake is becoming recognized as a great place for a "staycation", you may find owning your own vacation home can really pay off.


Your family can enjoy the lake at anytime; you might even rent out your home to other vacationers when you aren't going to be there. When you are ready to retire, you may even have your lakeside home paid off and ready to fulfill your retirement home needs!


If you have questions about lakefront properties on Smith Mountain Lake call Vicki Millehan! A long time resident, she is your local real estate resource. Her team can help you find the right place to call home!

A Great Rate on Smith Mountain Lake

The last few years, those buying Smith Mountain Lake homes have seen some of the lowest interest rates in over twenty years. Last Friday, 30 year mortgage rates hit a record low of 4.375%. While the home buyer tax credit may have expired for all but some members of the military, low interest rates are a great reason to consider buying a home now.

The time to take advantage of these low mortgage rates is now! The best thing about the lower interest rates; you can get more home and spend less of your dollars. Besides the type of loan you get, the interest rate has the greatest impact on what you will end up spending on your home.

Recently, we discussed mortgage loan points in Basics of Buying in Smith Mountain Lake. Just as a review, these are a simply a fee you pay upfront to receive a lower interest rate over the life of your loan. Whether you decide to use points to get a lower interest rate or not, we may not see rates this low for very long.

The best interest rates we have seen in years can be still be had, but how long they will last is unsure. Some experts have been predicting a slow rise in interest rates over the next year. There was recently a small rise in rates when the Federal Reserve ceased to back secured mortgages, but now they have returned to an all time low!

If you want to take advantage of these rates before they are gone, call Vicki Millehan! Her team can help you find the perfect Smith Mountain Lake home. There is no better time than summer to live in a lakefront home!

Father's Day on Smith Mountain Lake!

On Sunday, June 20, we will all say a hearty «thank you» to the dads who have taught us so much! The last thing Dad may need is another tie, and if that is the case, then Smith Mountain Lake can set you up with a great Father's Day present for your Dad! Here are just a few suggestions.



Let There Be Golf

Smith Mountain Lake is one of the Mid-Atlantic's most popular golfing destinations. Golfers can enjoy wooded fairways and vibrant greens running right up to the water's edge. It doesn't matter if Dad is a beginning golfer or an expert, Smith Mountain Lake has a place for him to play!


The lake has an 18-hole PGA Championship course, The Water's Edge. This is a very tough course, so if Dad is looking for a challenge, he need look no further! If you need a course that caters to every level of play, check out the Mariners Landing. There is the signature 5th hole that is just waitng to be taken on!



Fishing Frenzy

If your father's idea of a perfect day can be best described as «drowning worms,», you won't find a better place to sink a lure than here at the lake. Smith Mountain Lake is part of the The Southern and Southwest Virginia Fishing Trail. Your dad will have the best fish story ever when he tells he friends he pulled a 20-pound striper off his line, and the best part is that it will be true! So check out the fishing conditions and get Dad out on the water.



However you surprise your dad for Father's Day, consider taking a trip together to Smith Mountain Lake. If you like it, then move here! Call Vicki Millehan, her team can help you find a lakefront home to spend time with your family all year long.