Retirement on Smith Mountain Lake

A lot of people are trying to decide what they are going to do for retirement. With the current housing market, and whispers of a second dip in the economy, it can be a difficult decision about where to live out your golden years.




Is it time to purchase a retirement home on Smith Mountain Lake? With interest rates at record-breaking 60-year lows, now may be exactly the time to purchase a second home, keeping retirement on Smith Mountain Lake as part of your plans.



When it comes to retirement, you may not find a better place than Smith Mountain Lake. There are so many different types of communities and homes to choose from. From award-winning golf courses to beautiful wineries, Franklin and Bedford County in Virginia are perfect places to call “home.” Because of the tourism demands, you can even purchase a home now and rent it out, to help cover the costs of ownership.



Whether you are 30 or 50, purchasing an eventual retirement home on Smith Mountain Lake is a wise investment. You and your family can enjoy weekend getaways without having to pay for expensive hotel rooms, or dining out. You can also recoup some of your costs by using your home as an income property. With the temperate climate on Smith Mountain Lake, you may be able to rent your home out no matter what time of year it is.



Franklin County and Bedford County have much to offer those who are thinking of retirement! Fishing, golf, pottery classes, and many more activities are pastimes that can be enjoyed throughout the year. If you are ready to see what kind of retirement home you can have on Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan. Vicki has lived in the area for over 20 years. Come for a visit – if you like it, move here!

Smith Mountain Lake: A Home for All Seasons

There are many reasons to make Smith Mountain Lake your home. Fabulous waterfront properties, 500 miles of shoreline, great fishing, and pristine waters can all be found right here. Oh, and have we mentioned the golf courses, the wildlife, or the history surrounding the area? Of course, of all the things that make Smith Mountain Lake the ideal place to call home, the weather may be the best reason of all. Our climate helps to make Smith Mountain Lake a home for all seasons!




Each and every season here is distinct. Even though the climate is mild, you don’t have to worry about not knowing what season you are in! Summer temperatures normally stay in the 70s to 80s, which is perfect weather for fun on the water, and summer sports. Summer is one of the busiest times on the Lake; swimming, boating, and fishing rank high as preferred activities.



It won’t be long, and you will see why fall is a great time to be living in or visiting Smith Mountain Lake. Whether you are driving down the Blue Ridge Parkway, or out on the lake, the fall foliage will take your breath away! This is also the time for the Fall Harvest and Crush at the local orchards and wineries. After a 180-day average growing season, the grapes are ready to become some of Virginia’s best award-winning vintages. At Hickory Hills Vineyard, you can even participate in the fall crush!



For a lot of hot summer vacation areas, fall is just the slowdown that signals the end of the season. That isn’t true at Smith Mountain Lake! You can come for a weekend getaway any time of year. And unlike other popular vacation areas, it doesn’t become a ghost-town either. There is a healthy residential community here, with all the amenities! About the only thing you can’t do at the lake is ice skate, because it doesn’t freeze over! But, a light covering of snow helps make the holidays on Smith Mountain Lake perfect.



You can boat on the lake throughout the year, but the most popular times are early spring to late fall. In spring, the flowers put on a colorful display, and the seasons start all over again. From the bright yellows and blues of spring flowers, to the holiday decorations on display during the holidays, Smith Mountain Lake is truly a home for all seasons!



No matter what time of year it is, you are invited to come for a visit; if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to make Smith Mountain Lake your home, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate resource and a long-time resident!

Valhalla in Virginia

Although many Vikings have long sought Valhalla, little did they know that it was right here in Roanoke the whole time! Okay, Valhalla Vineyards have actually only been around since 1998, but they are quickly becoming the stuff of legend. Great wines, and a beautiful setting, make this Valhalla in Virginia something to see.


Located in Roanoke, the Vineyard has similar growing conditions to those you can find in the Rhone Valley of France. They produce world-class wines, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and more on 21 acres. Valhalla was the first vineyard outside of California to produce Alicante Bouschet, and among the first in Virginia to grow Syrah.

One of the unique features of Valhalla is the barrel cave. During the cave's excavation, a Buddha statue was found – and he still watches over the vineyard today. The barrel cave runs 60 feet underground, and maintains the perfect temperature at which to age award-winning wines. Over 300 barrels line the cave walls.

If you are looking for a place to hold an unforgettable wedding, look no further. The Cellar Door, Valhalla’s mountain-top chalet, is an ideal and memorable location for weddings and receptions. The Cellar Door has 2,800 square feet of indoor space, with a wine bar and fireplace. There is also a 1,600 square foot outdoor stone patio, with a fireplace and partial covering, for a total of 4,400 square feet. The winery can accommodate up to 150 guests.

Valhalla Vineyards has produced some wonderful wines. In their first year of bringing their wine to market, they garnered the coveted Governor’s Cup for their 1998 Syrah. The accolades didn’t stop there! The wines of Valhalla have won over 100 national and international awards, and they have been featured in Wine Spectator and Decanter magazines.

There are several ways to enjoy the bounty of Valhalla Vineyards. You can join the Wine Club, and receive wine delivered to your door four times a year. You can also enjoy the special Wine Maker Dinner Series, with Chef Jason Pollard.

Virginia is for lovers, and that definitely includes wine lovers! If you are ready to live in the wine country around Smith Mountain Lake, call Vicki Millehan. She is your local real estate resource!

Fun on Smith Mountain Lake

There are lots of ways to have fun on Smith Mountain Lake! Fishing, swimming, and boating are local favorite activities. Then there are things like golf and fine dining that you can enjoy on dry land. Know someone looking for some unique ways to enjoy the lake? Here are just a few suggestions!



If you haven’t had the chance to take one of the Virginia Dare’s specialty cruises, there is one coming up you may not want to miss: it’s a real “killer” of a cruise! Yep, it’s time for a Murder Mystery Cruise! The next Murder Mystery Cruise will take place on August 20th at 7:30pm. This two-hour dinner cruise features a crowd participation who-done-it murder mystery! Great food, good laughs and a mystery to solve – does it get any better than this? Well, that depends on your view.


If you are ready to see Smith Mountain Lake from a different perspective, then check out Smith Mountain Lake Parasail, and get a bird’s eye view of the lake! It is a great way to spend the last of those long summer days; soaring above the lake in a parasail is incomparable. They offer individual, and tandem flights over the water.


Whether it is a local favorite like the Virginia Dare, or something new like SML Parasail, you can usually find something exciting to do in Smith Mountain Lake. If you like, you can even look for your next home right from the deck of a boat! Now where else can you do that?


When you are ready to buy your own waterfront home, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert. And if you haven’t had the chance, come for a visit; if you like it, then move here!

Art, Food and More in Bedford, VA

Talk about your one-stop shop! You can take in art, food, and more in Bedford at The Electric Company. Voted “Small Business of the Year,” The Electric Company is actually several businesses in one. There are classes and workshops available as well. Located within the old Bedford Electric Company’s 1890 building, there is art and fun for everyone!




If you are in need of your own fine art supplies, head over to Rembrandt’s Closet, and check out the Artful Cat. After getting what you need to create your own works of art, you can wander through the other spaces within the store, and check out the antiques, crafts and collectibles. You may be surprised at the treasures you'll find!



Ready to watch some local artists create their masterpieces? Head over to the Art on Depo. This shop features the work of over 30 local artists. Visit the artists' studios, and watch them as they work. The Art on Depo also offers classes in watercolor painting, drawing, pottery, and more. You can even take a class to learn quilting!



If all of that shopping and artwork viewing makes you hungry, have no fear – you can get some great food at the Artisan Cafe. Serving from 11am to 2pm, the Cafe is a great place to stop for lunch. Gourmet sandwiches, or a crisp salad make a nice start, but you have to try one of their fresh-made desserts! They use only organic vegetables, and have become known for their homemade spreads. Take-out and catering are available as well.



Local artists, fine wines and great food; is there anything you can’t find in Bedford or Franklin County, Virginia? Come for a visit and if you like it, then move here.! Want more information on living in Smith Mountain Lake or the surrounding area? Call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate resource.

The Best Spot for Your Smith Mountain Lake Home

So you have made the decision to buy your perfect waterfront property on Smith Mountain Lake. You know what you are looking for in a home, but one question remains to be answered: do you buy in a cove, or on the main channel? There are several things to consider when you are choosing the best spot for your Smith Mountain Lake home.



If your idea of a great lakeside home includes lots of privacy, purchasing a home located in a cove may be more of what you are looking for. Coves tend to be quite a bit more private than living on the main channel. They are ideal spots, if swimming plays a big role in your lakeside plans. Living in a cove is usually a little quieter as well, since there is less boat traffic.


But if you want the beautiful, wide-open views that are available on Smith Mountain Lake, a home on the main channel can give you what you want. Gorgeous vistas of open water and the Blue Ridge Mountains are wonderful to wake up to everyday. Life on the main channel has its advantages too!


One last thing you need to consider is what kind of lot you are looking for. There is a wide variety of lots available on the lake. You can find properties that are wooded, landscaped, steep, flat, and even some with acreage. You may want to look at the different kinds of properties to decide what will work best for your family.


Smith Mountain Lake is a great place to live! Come for a visit, if you like it, then move here! When you are ready to relocate, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert, and a long-term resident of Smith Mountain Lake.