![]() Smith Mountain Lake certainly does have diversity! When you look around, you will see the sparkling lake surround by the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains. Looking at different real estate options in the area, you will find waterfront properties to golf communities! Having diversity in the real estate market means that just about anyone can find their dream home here. Prices for real estate at Smith Mountain Lake are diverse as well. You may be surprised by what you can afford to buy. There is something for everyone’s budget, from older lakefront homes that offer great deals, to newly remodeled condos right on the water. There are several things that can influence the value of lakefront property. Location is an important factor, and when talking about Smith Mountain Lake, the view can be just as important. You have to ask yourself what kind of view do you want to have right outside your door…mountains, water, wildlife, or all of the above. The norm is generally the better the view, the higher the price. And there are many who will gladly sacrifice a bit of privacy to wake up to a picturesque scene every day. Another factor in the price of a waterfront home is the slope. Around SML, there are some lots that are nearly flat, with a very gentle slope that meets the water. These homes are only five to ten feet above the water level. And then there are some lots that are so steep, the owners put steps in to make it easier to reach the water’s edge. Another rule of thumb is the more gentle the slope, the higher the price. BUT, that also means that if you are willing to live on a steeper slope, you can get a nicer home for a great price! Come for a visit…and stay for a lifetime! Contact Mary Lou McDonald for more information.
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![]() I am always looking for things to do with my family, friends and out of town guests. When I tell them where I live, they automatically think boating. But there is so much more to do in the Smith Mountain Lake community. If you have little ones around, you can choose from a number of Easter Egg hunts this weekend. If Sunday brunch is your thing, take a leisurely drive to Mariners Landing Resort and enjoy the famous Easter Sunday Brunch at Heath's Waterfront Grill! 20th Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Waid Park in Rocky Mount This annual event will feature more than 20,000 eggs, as well as photo opportunities with the East Bunny. There will also be door prizes, food and bounce houses. Arrive by 1:30 p.m. to register as the hunt begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. Easter Extravaganza at the Discovery Center, Smith Mountain Lake State Park There’s no better place to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather than at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. Gear up for the Easter Bunny with an afternoon of rabbit facts and fun. Bring your own basket and hop on down to the Discovery Center for an Easter Egg hunt. There will be over 1,000 eggs to find! Then you get the chance to meet and take a picture with “Sunny Bunny.” You can also enjoy hands-on crafts, hay wagon rides, and a whole lot more. The Easter Egg Hunt begins at 1:15 p.m., fun crafts from 1:30-3:00 p.m. and hay wagon rides from 1:30 -2:30 p.m. Easter Egg Hunt at Bridgewater Plaza And there is always the annual Easter Egg Hunt at Bridgewater Plaza that takes place at Harbor Town Mini-Golf. Kids ages 5 and under will hunt at 1 p.m. followed by kids ages 6-8 at 1:30 p.m. Be sure to bring your camera to get photos with the Easter Bunny at Harbor Town Mini Golf Course with prizes and candy – rain or shine! Easter Sunday Brunch at Heath’s Waterfront Grill at Mariners Landing What a beautiful place to enjoy a delicious Easter Sunday brunch while taking in the gorgeous view of Smith Mountain Lake and the mountains. Heath’s will have a home cooked buffet so you can choose exactly what you want…and don’t forget to have a Mimosa or a Bloody Mary! This is a very popular event, so reservations are strongly encouraged by calling 540-632-0163. Brunch at Home! Easter is a time meant to be spent creating memories with friends and loved ones. Even when hosting duties fall on your plate, creating the perfect brunch spread doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Always use quality ingredients and recipes that feature simple preparation to impress even the pickiest of guests. The recipe you choose doesn’t have to be complicated but look for ones where you can incorporate some diverse ingredients…like a versatile cheese like Jarlsberg, which is easy to cook with. Here is an easy, but impressive recipe for your special day! ASAPARAGUS TART 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed 2 cups Jarlsberg cheese, shredded 1 pound asparagus 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves Salt & pepper
Have you ever wondered why Easter falls on a different date every year? I’m sure there are other people at Smith Mountain Lake that wonder why it falls on different weeks and even in different months from year to year. After some research, I finally figured it out!
The date of Easter Sunday is usually the first Sunday after the first Full Moon occurring on or after the March equinox. Easter Sunday celebrates the Christian belief of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. The March equinox coincides with Easter Sunday and holidays that are related to it. The dates of many Christian holidays depend on the Easter date like Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, and Pentecost/Whitsunday. According to the Bible, Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection occurred around the time of the Jewish Passover, which was celebrated on the first full moon following the vernal equinox. This soon led to Christians celebrating Easter on different dates. Easter is delayed by 1 week if the full moon is on Sunday, which decreases the chances of it falling on the same day as the Jewish Passover. To a lot of people, Easter represents Easter egg hunts, candy, and chocolate bunnies. Whichever way you choose to celebrate Easter, you no longer have to wonder why the date changes from year to year! What a great time to get out and get your kinks out on the links at Mariners Landing Resort’s Golf & Country Club. Book a 1, 2 or 3-bedroom condo and play a round or two on Smith Mountain Lake’s 18-hole championship golf course with an original design by world-renowned architect, Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The golf facility offers a clubhouse with a grill and lounge area. The golf practice facility also offers a full driving range and a chipping and putting practice green.
This unique course is a par 72 and has six different sets of tee boxes, offering fun and challenging golf to all levels of golfers, from beginner to professional. The staff is led by the Club Manager, Doug Schmidt, and Golf Professional, Kyle Johnson. Together they bring a friendly and inviting atmosphere for all of the golfing guests. In addition, they are trained to help golfers through instruction and golf club fitting and repair. Looking for some new apparel or equipment? Take a look at the Mariners Landing ProShop that offers PGA Tour played equipment like Bridgestone, and discounted balls like Wilson, and Precept. They also have golf apparel including shirts, shorts, golf gloves, golf shoes, and PGA belts and wallets. After a fun day on the course, relax in the heated indoor pool or hot tub at the Cabana’s indoor aquatic center, and then go to Heath’s Waterfront Grill, that overlooks the water, for a delicious dinner. Mariners Landing Resort has it all for your next golf getaway! Being in the real estate industry for so many years, through the market ups and downs, I have seen what works and what doesn’t work. Yes, it is important to understand the market value of homes in your area, but here are eight tips that will give you that edge when selling YOUR home. #8 Price It Right We will do the research for you to find out what your home is worth, then take 10-15% off the price. I have seen homes shown at a much higher rate when it is priced right from the beginning. You will get more attention and more bids this way…it can even drive up the price from multiple bidders! #7 Sparse Closets Buyers are always looking for ample storage. One trick is to take about half of everything out of your closets and either put it in storage or neatly organize it in another location of the house. When going through a house, buyers will open up closets and cabinets so make sure they are neat and tidy. #6 Light Up Your House Make sure your blinds and drapes are open to ensure the maximum amount of natural light AND turn on lights throughout the house. Now, before you pull the blinds all the way, be sure to clean the windows inside and out. And if you need to trim trees or bushes to allow more natural light in, be sure to do so. Do what you have to make your home bright and welcoming. #5 Conceal the Furry Family Remember that not everyone is a pet lover and may not want to walk in and see a bowl of dog food or smell kitty litter. If you have a scheduled showing, be sure to either take your pets with you or have them visit a family member, friend or pet hotel for the day. First impressions are very important to the potential buyer. #4 Depersonalize A rule of thumb when getting your house ready to put on the market is to get rid of a third of your stuff – put it in storage or donate what you don’t use. And one of the most important things you should do is depersonalize your home. Most buyers are not able to “look through” other people’s stuff, family pictures and keepsakes in order to imagine themselves living there. You can also consider hiring someone to stage your home to best showcase the floor plan and maximize the use of space. #3 The Heart of the Home…the KITCHEN! You think you’re selling a home? You’re actually selling your kitchen – that’s how key an update kitchen may be to the sale of your home. Data has show that you’ll probably get about 85% of your money back. It may cost you a few thousand dollars to replace the countertops but a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking pricing if your kitchen looks date. If you don’t have the money to do a full blown remodel, paint the kitchen, put new hardware on the cabinets and buy one fancy stainless steel appliance. #2 Ready to Roll Always be ready to show your house. This means that it needs to be “show-ready” at all times because you never know when a buyer is going to come and look. Make sure no dishes are in the sink, try and keep the dishwasher cleaned out, keep the bathrooms sparkling and make sure there aren’t any dust bunnies in the corners. It may be a little inconvenient, but it will get your house sold. #1 First Impression is the Lasting Impression Even if the inside of your home is sparkling, updated and ready for a photoshoot for Architectural Digest, buyers have already judged your home before they even walk inside. You want people to feel warm, safe and welcome as they approach your home. Plant some floral around your home, clean the outside of the house and windows, make sure everything is decluttered inside and you will be on your way to an offer! AuthorMary Lou McDonald owns her own Real Estate Brokerage firm, ML-Realty.com. She comes from the corporate world with the position of Vice President Corporate Marketing. Her Marketing background helps her significantly with marketing her listings and helping buyers pick the perfect home for them. She loves to share her experience and help buyers and sellers reach their dreams. |
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