The Blue Ridge Parkway Offers Scenic Beauty In Bedford County

Known as “America’s favorite drive,” the Blue Ridge Parkway was recently recognized by Yahoo Travel as one of America’s Top 10 Road Trips. You can hop onto the parkway at Roanoke or Peaks of Otter Visitor Centers. The Blue Ridge Parkway is a great drive in Bedford County. It will take your breath away.




Along the parkway, you can find several lodges. The Peaks of Otter Lodge is the one closest to Smith Mountain Lake. You can see some wonderful mountain vistas from here. There are great photo opportunities to be had, as wildlife is often seen near the lodge! Located in Bedford, VA, the lodge offers two restaurants, Lake View Restaurant and Otter Creek Restaurant & Gift Shop. The Lake View is open year 'round; Otter Creek just opened for the 2010 season.



As we head into summer, the fields lining the parkway are full of beautiful Virginia wildflowers. Be sure to come back in the fall, when the trees will bring out their brightest colors for travelers along the road. Drivers will find several visitor centers along the way.



Just past the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, you will hit the road’s highest elevation at 3950 ft!! The weather can vary a lot at high altitudes; be sure to check the forecast for several communities along the road so you have an idea of what to expect. It is always a good idea to carry jackets and some emergency supplies in the trunk of your car. You can find more Safety Tips on the BRP website!



As you drive the Parkway, don’t forget to stop at Smith Mountain Lake! Come for a visit; if you like it then move here! If you want to buy a vacation home of your own, call Vicki Millehan, your local real estate expert! She can help you navigate the road to home ownership in Smith Mountain Lake!

Smith Mountain Lake: A Great Place to Live

Smith Mountain Lake is known as the "Jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains". Beautiful shorelines and spectacular mountain vistas can be seen from almost any home in the area. Temperate weather and friendly neighbors make Smith Mountain Lake a great place to call home.




There are over 500 miles of shoreline on Smith Mountain Lake, spanning several counties. Tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains like a hidden treasure, there is no better place for the perfect escape! Once you have had a chance to visit, you will understand why there is little doubt as to why so many people buy homes here.



The types of real estate available in Smith Mountain Lake are very diverse. Some properties are vacation or second homes. Others belong to year-round residents. That is one of the benefits of the area. It isn't just a resort town; it is a strong, close-knit community.



We have planned communities like the Cottages at Contentment Island or private lots with plenty of trees. You can build your own dream home or get a great bargain on an older lakefront condo. Whatever kind of property suits you can be found here. There is a wide variety in home prices, too! You may be surprised by how much home you can afford on Smith Mountain Lake.



Come for a visit, and if you like it, then move here! VickiMillehan is your local real estate resource. With over 18 years of real estate experience and as a 20-year resident, Vicki knows Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding communities. Just call when you are ready to enjoy summers on the lake!

Basics of Buying in Smith Mountain Lake

For first time home buyers, purchasing a home can be one of the most exciting and scariest things they will ever do. But, with a good real estate agent at your side, it should never be confusing! One of the most common questions first time buyers have is, “What is it I am paying for at closing?” Let’s take a look at the basics of buying in Smith Mountain Lake.


One of the first things you'll see at closing is the information concerning your mortgage. Some mortgages have something called “points.” Points are simply a fee that you pay upfront so you can receive a lower interest rate for the life of your loan. Basically, you are paying a portion of interest upfront.

How Points Work

Let’s say you are borrowing $100,000 for your new home. Your lender has set up your loan with a low interest rate and one point. Usually each point is 1% of your loan value. That means you will bring $1,000 to closing to cover the point. It may seem like a strange way to save money, but if you are staying in your home for more than five years, the money you save on interest will be greater than what you paid at closing. Not to mention that your monthly payment will be lower!



Fees, What Fees?

Another thing that helps make up your closing costs are fees. Most fees are related to getting your mortgage in place. Often, the title company will do a search to make sure the title to your property is clear. Also included in these fees are such things as appraisals, and the costs of processing and underwriting the loan. Be aware: some lenders may advertise low closing costs but have a much higher interest rate. Do your homework and find what works best for you.

Speaking of Interest

The last thing you want to make sure is correct at closing is the interest rate you secured with your lender. Normally, you will have already “locked in” a specific rate. You can lock a rate for 15, 45, or 60 days. The longer you wait to lock the rate, the higher the interest rate may be.

This is just some basic information on what makes up your closing costs. With interest rates low, it is still a great time to buy that waterfront property in Smith Mountain Lake! If you are ready to make the area your home, call Vicki Millehan! Her team can help you find a home in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

Basics of Buying in Smith Mountain Lake

For first time home buyers, purchasing a home can be one of the most exciting and scariest things will ever do. But, with a good real estate agent at your side, it should never be confusing! One of the most common questions first time buyers have is, “What is it I am paying for at closing?” Let’s take a look at the basics of buying in Smith Mountain Lake.


One of the first things you will see at closing is the information concerning your mortgage. Some mortgages have something called “points.” Points are simply a fee that you pay upfront so you can receive a lower interest rate for the life of your loan. Basically, you are paying a portion of interest upfront.



How Points Work
Let’s say you are borrowing $100,000 for your new home. Your lender has set your loan up with a low interest rate and one point. Usually each point is 1% of your loan value. That means you will bring $1,000 to closing to cover the point. It may seem like a strange way to save money, but if you are staying in your home for more than five years, the money you save on interest will be greater than what you paid at closing. Not to mention that the monthly payment will be lower!



Fees, What Fees?
Another thing that helps make up your closing costs are fees. Most fees are related to getting your mortgage in place. Often, the title company will do a search to make sure the title to your property is clear. Also included in these fees are such things as appraisals, and the cost of processing and underwriting the loan. Be aware: some lenders may advertise low closing costs but have a much higher interest rate. Do your homework and find what works best for you.



Speaking of Interest
The last thing you want to make sure is correct at closing is the interest rate you secured with your lender. Normally, you will have already “locked in” a specific rate. You can lock a rate for 15, 45 or 60 days. The longer you chose to lock the rate, the higher the interest rate may be.


This is just some basic information on what makes up your closing costs. With interest rates low, it is still a great time to buy that waterfront property in Smith Mountain Lake! If you are ready to make the area your home, call Vicki Millehan! Her team can help you find a home in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains!

Time for Franklin County Pigg River Ramble

We told you about it way back in January so you would have plenty of time to make plans to visit Smith Mountain Lake and enjoy the 9th Annual Pigg River Ramble. Well, just in case you forgot, the Ramble is next weekend May 14th through 16th. It will be a fun time for the whole family!


It all starts with the Blackwater Blackout on May 14th. Registration, music and food are scheduled for 5pm- 7pm. The Blackout begins at 7pm. Boats and other means of water transportation will only be allowed to light the way with non-electrical sources of light. You will see them adorned with everything from flashlights to glow sticks. The first 300 participants registered will receive a free t-shirt commemorating the event!

On Saturday the 15th, the Pigg River Ramble begins! The race starts at 10:30am and floaters start at 11:20am. This is an eight mile race ending with a barbeque and post race fun at Waid Park. You can end your weekend with Breakfast on the Blackwater. This is a three mile float with breakfast served about 45 minutes after the start. Enjoy a beautiful riverside breakfast!

It is not too late to join in the fun of this wacky river race! Whether you are looking for a home along the river or lakefront property in Franklin County, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert for Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding areas!

Priced to Sell on Smith Mountain Lake

One of the biggest questions any seller has is; “How long will it take to sell my house?” There is so much is tied into the answer. Like when to put an offer on another house and how soon you might be moving? Pricing your Smith Mountain Lake home right is the first step in a fast sell.


The Power of Price
In the current market, there are homes that are snatched up in less than 30 days and others that linger on the market for months. Two houses may even be comparable in size, features and updates but one home is priced $5000 less than the other. Of course the home with the lower listing price will stand out from the rest, but it may also include a larger buyer pool than the more expensive home.



Perfect Price
Finding the perfect price for your home can be done! Your realtor can help you find comparable homes that have recently sold in your area. Then they can review current home prices and market trends specific to your neighborhood. Armed with this information, you can come up with the best possible price for your home.



While the best price doesn’t guarantee a quick sale, it sure helps! Knowing what to set the price out is very important in special circumstances like short sales. You want the price to be low enough that the house doesn’t stay on the market long, but it must be high enough that the lender will approve the transaction. Helping you find the perfect price is just one area where having a realtor can make all the difference!



If you are ready to sell your Smith Mountain Lake home, call Vicki Millehan. You can use her free online Market Analysis to see what your home may be worth. She can also help sell your current home so you can buy that luxury lakefront home you have been longing for! If you haven’t had a chance to check out life of the lake, come for a visit, if you like it then move here!!

Bedford Wine and Relaxation for Mom

April showers bring May flowers and May flowers mean Mother’s Day is just around the corner! If you are looking for a great way to tell Mom “thanks” for all the things she does, look no further than Bedford County, VA! From special Mother’s Day Cruises on Smith Mountain Lake to a weekend enjoying the Bedford Wine Trail, you can find something to let Mom know she is special!


In case it is sneaking up on you, Mother’s Day is May 9th. You can spoil her with a 2 hour Mother’s Day Cruise aboard the Virginia Dare replica sidewheeler. She can sit back, relax and enjoy a great lunch all while cruising the Lake! The excursion starts at 2pm and is booking up fast so make reservations soon!

If your mom needs a whole weekend to recuperate from a year of motherly duties, it may be time for her to spend some time on the Bedford Wine Trail. She can sample some of the best wines Virginia has to offer and then spend the evening relaxing by the waters of Smith Mountain Lake. You can throw in a Mariner’s Getaway Package and a few spa treatments for good measure! You know your mom deserves it.

Of course the best present for that special lady in your life would be a beautiful waterfront home on Smith Mountain Lake! Come for a visit, if you like it then move here! Whether you are ready to become a permanent resident or buy a vacation home, call Vicki Millehan! She is your local real estate expert.