Jane at the Lake Blog

Virginia's Natural Bridge - Come and See for Yourself

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 13:31:27 -0700

Virginia's Natural Bridge is a 20-story stone formation in the shape of, you guessed it, a natural bridge. The bridge itself, located at 15 Appledore Lane in Natural Bridge, Virginia, was created when a cavern collapsed many, many years ago, leaving the bridge you see today.

The Bridge alone is more than enough to make you want to spend a day in the area, walking where such men as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson walked or exploring the authentic Monacan Indian Village nearby. But in the fall of the year, other activities at the Natural Bridge are sure to attract your attention as well.

The Corn Maze, at U.S. 11 and Golf Course Road, is just one such happening. Starting on October 1st, the corn maze is open to visitors every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through November 7th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance into the maze is just $6 for adults and $3 for kids under 12. Scarecrows abound, and if you're able to find them all, you can win a prize!

After a busy day seeing the Natural Bridge and scrambling through the Corn Maze, you may want to try the new Barbecue Buffet that has just opened on Saturday nights at the Natural Bridge. Adults can eat all the baby back ribs, corn on the cob, barbecued chicken - and more - that they want for $18.95. Kids ages 5 to 12 are $9.95. Or, if you're visiting on Friday, try the Seafood Buffet.

Once you've seen Virginia's Natural Bridge, stop and take a look at another beautiful Virginia location - Smith Mountain Lake. With so much natural beauty right on their doorsteps, residents of Smith Mountain Lake don't run out of sites to see.

Thinking of relocating to Virginia's Smith Mountain Lake so you too can enjoy the grandeur of Virginia? It's easy to learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area. Just contact me, Jane Sullivan Horne, or visit my website. My staff and I can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce DVD Now Available

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 08:54:27 -0700

Our Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce has put together a video on DVD for those planning to visit or relocate to Smith Mountain Lake. It's on sale for only $7, which even includes shipping charges.

While this is a rather short video, it has been divided into two parts to let you see what's going on at Smith Mountain Lake. The first part is called "Vacation" and shows places to go and things to do while visiting the beautiful Smith Mountain Lake area.

The second part of the video is called "Relocation" and highlights what makes Smith Mountain Lake such a great place for those moving to the area.

YouTube has some great little videos about Smith Mountain Lake

that you may also enjoy. You can also watch these videos at the Chamber of Commerce site while you're there ordering your own Smith Mountain Lake DVD just in time to start your great adventure at Smith Mountain Lake.

To learn even more about relocating to the Smith Mountain Lake area as well as see some of the beautiful homes for sale here, please contact me, Jane Sullivan Horne, or visit my website. My staff and I can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Smith Mountain Lake Weather 101: Four Seasons and Perfect Temperatures

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 23:24:36 -0700

Thinking of making the move to a beautiful new home on Smith Mountain Lake? Congratulations! We know you'll be very happy here.

Maybe you've wondered what the year-round weather is like in the Smith Mountain Lake area. Well, we definitely have four seasons and almost perfect temperatures, so if you're thinking of leaving your northern home and are afraid you will miss out on the wonders of four distinct seasons, fear not! You'll get to enjoy them all at Smith Mountain Lake.

We celebrate summer, when the daytime average high temperature in July is 86.6 degrees and the average low is 62.8 degrees. The growing season is approximately 180 days long, and we're generally frost-free from April 20th through October 16th. For those planning their new landscaping and wondering which plants are best suited to life at Smith Mountain Lake, we are considered to be in Zone 7.

Yes, we also have winter. The temperatures in the winter at Smith Mountain Lake range from average highs in January of 47.9 degrees to average lows of 25.9 degrees.

We do have some snow at Smith Mountain Lake as well - an average of 14 inches. Enough so that you know it is winter, but not so much that you're housebound for what may seem like months on end or find yourself spending your days plowing your driveway and shoveling your walks.

Annual rainfall is about 44 inches. Old wives tales say that fish bite better in the rain so while you may not want to be on the golf course on a rainy day, you can always turn to fishing if you live on Smith Mountain Lake.

Now that you have the lowdown on Smith Mountain Lake weather, it's time to learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area. Please contact me, Jane Sullivan Horne, or visit my website to see some of the great homes available now. My staff and I can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Do I Need a Wine Cellar in my Smith Mountain Lake Home?

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:50:29 -0700

Virginia is known for its many wineries where you can go to purchase your favorite wines, taste a few new ones and possibly find some new favorites in the process. Wine lovers often have special wines to serve with certain foods. They love to drink the wine but may also be into collecting wines and having the wine on-hand in their homes for special occasions.

If you're a wine enthusiast who stores great wines in your home - or would like to - you may want to consider having your own wine cellar. When shopping for a beautiful Smith Mountain Lake home, be sure you tell your real estate agent you want to see houses with wine cellars.

Fine wines have special needs that a wine cellar can take care of. Optimally, wine needs to be stored in temperatures between 52 degrees and 58 degrees F. to keep it from aging prematurely or inhibiting its natural development..

Long-term exposure to light can also cause your wine to age prematurely, and the proper humidity level (above 50%) is essential to keep the corks from losing their sealing capabilities, thus causing the possibility of oxidation. Vibration can also be harmful to maturing wines by interfering with the necessary biochemical process.

A wine cellar in your home will enable you to house your fine wines at the proper temperature, light, humidity, and stability levels to let them age naturally and always keep them at their best. After finding and purchasing great wines, you don't want to run the risk of losing them due to improper storage.

To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, and especially those with wine cellars, please contact me, Jane Sullivan Horne, or visit my website. My staff and I can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Staying in Your Price Range When House Hunting at Smith Mountain Lake

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 23:41:08 -0700

Whether you're shopping for a dress, a bedspread, or your new home at Smith Mountain Lake, looking within your price range is the best way to go. There are several reasons why shopping within your price range is the best plan. Here are a few for you to ponder:

1. Smith Mountain Lake has lots of beautiful homes in lots of great price ranges. So stick with what you can afford and avoid falling in love with a house that's beyond your means. Trust me, the lower-priced homes can be just as beautiful and just as perfect for your family, so avoid the potential heartache and shop within your price range.

2. Shopping for a new home on Smith Mountain Lake is a lot of fun. Selling you that new home is fun for me too. But spending a lot of time looking at homes that you won't be able to obtain a mortgage for is simply a waste of time for both of us.

3. If you're spending time looking at homes out of your price range, you may miss an affordable one that would've been the perfect fit, had you seen it in time to make an offer before it was swept up by another home buyer.

Once you determine what you can afford and the amenities you want, it's time to start shopping. Stay within your price range and before you know it, you'll be walking through the home of your dreams, which is selling at a price you can afford.

Jane isn't known as "Jane at the Lake" for no reason. She has the expertise to lead you to the homes that fit your budget and have the amenities you want. To learn more about some of the beautiful homes in your price range that are for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

There's Still Time this Fall to Cruise Smith Mountain Lake on the Virginia Dare

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:39:08 -0700

Fall is in the air, but that doesn't mean there isn't still time this fall to cruise Smith Mountain Lake on the Virginia Dare, Smith Mountain Lake's l9th-century replica of a side wheeler. The 63-foot-long Virginia Dare cruises Smith Mountain Lake from April to December every year, booking 2-hour lunch, dinner, and Sunday Luncheon cruises as well as private charters.

For a seated meal, 112 people will fit, but for an hors d'oeuvre cruise, she can handle up to 135 happy cruisers. You can charter the Virginia Dare for a private cruise for your wedding, birthday, anniversary or other celebration, or get a boarding pass for any of the public events and daily cruises that are held throughout the season. In fact, October 1st you will see the Virginia Dare cruising and serving dinner during the performance of a murder mystery.

The Virginia Dare is no stranger to travel herself. Having been built in 1989 in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, the side wheeler traveled both on land and water to reach her eventual home in Moneta, Virginia. Once in the water of beautiful Smith Mountain Lake, the Virginia Dare was docked at the Bridgewater Plaza, but for the last 10 years, she's called the Virginia Dare Marina at the end of Airport Road (Rte. 853) home sweet home.

For more info, call toll-free 1-800-721-3273 or if you're local, call 540-297-7100 or drop by and see the Virginia Dare in person at 3619 Airport Road in Moneta, Virginia.

Whether it's cruising Smith Mountain Lake on the Virginia Dare or on your own sail boat, life on the lake is full of fun and adventure. To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Choosing a Real Estate Agent to Help You Purchase Your Smith Mountain Lake Home

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:53:00 -0700

Choosing a real estate agent to help you purchase your Smith Mountain Lake home shouldn't be a difficult decision. Here are a few suggestions on what to look for when finding the perfect agent for YOU:

1. Someone who will listen to what your wants and needs are, and who is able to zero in on houses that fit those directives.

2. An agent who knows the market and can steer you to homes that fit not only your needs but also your price range. Smith Mountain Lake is a large area and it can be quite time-consuming to find a good fit if you don't know the market.

3. An agent that knows about local schools, activities, health care, restaurants, and other daily life necessities that have a substantial affect on your overall life at Smith Mountain Lake.

Jane Sullivan Horne meets all these criteria. She and her husband have lived at the Water's Edge on Smith Mountain Lake for 20 years, have raised a son here, and have participated in many of the great activities available for area residents.

Jane knows about prices and home values in the various markets around Smith Mountain Lake and can help you find the home of your dreams at the best price.

To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Buying Your Retirement Home on Smith Mountain Lake - Now is the Time!

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 22:12:29 -0700

If you've been trying to decide whether now is a good time to buy your retirement home on Smith Mountain Lake, don't think about it any longer. It is definitely a good time to buy. Mortgage rates are at all time lows and many beautiful homes are available to fit your retirement style.

Are you active and love sports or do you want to putter around your garden? Do you want to live in a large home with lots of space or are you ready to downsize a bit? How about a pool or other amenities? Plan now to come to Smith Mountain Lake this fall and have a look around.

With lots of local activities in the Smith Mountain Lake region, retiring here is the perfect choice. Whether you enjoy fishing, boating, visiting wineries, driving the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, or golfing, all this and so much more is waiting for you at Smith Mountain Lake.

Not sure how soon you'll be retiring? Well, that's not a problem either. There are lots of people who like to rent in the Smith Mountain Lake area, so renting out your property when you can't be there enjoying it yourself is always an option. This way you can take advantage of today's great prices and low mortgage rates and let your home pay for itself. Then when the time is right for you to move in, your beautiful Smith Mountain Lake home will be ready and waiting for you.

Finding the perfect Smith Mountain Lake retirement home is not difficult when you let Jane Sullivan Horne help. She's lived on Smith Mountain Lake herself for many years and can help you find just what you're looking for and answer all your questions about the area.

To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Bringing Back the Days of the Summer Kitchen to Smith Mountain Lake

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 22:14:37 -0700

Back in the days before air conditioning cooled our homes, some lucky homeowners had "summer kitchens". This meant that in the heat of summer, the main kitchen was located in its own building, separate from the main house, thus keeping the heat of cooking outside.

Today, we still love to cook outside, and many homeowners are bringing back the days of the summer kitchen to Smith Mountain Lake. Modern outdoor cooking, however, is no longer limited to the small charcoal grills of a few years ago that were only big enough to burn, excuse me - cook, a few hamburgers or hot dogs at a time.

Today's summer kitchens are splendid affairs, as beautiful as they are useful. They may be located on a deck or as part of a patio, sometimes with a swimming pool as a centerpiece, and often screened in to keep out marauding bugs or flying leaves. Waterfront homes may even have a deck or pier built out over the water to house their summer kitchen.

The grills of today are far from the wood fires your great-great-grandmother used. Made of stainless steel or incorporated into their stone surroundings, today's outdoor cooking facilities can be used to create meals of several courses or simpler dishes such as steaks or salmon.

They may be fired with real wood, charcoal or natural or bottled gas. While a wood or charcoal fire adds a wonderful smokey flavor to your entrees, gas is instantly ready at a moment's notice and leaves no ashes to clean up later.

Don't forget to include a refrigerator, prep sink and cabinetry into your outdoor summer kitchen plans. Seating for guests can be arranged so that even the cook is part of the activities. Add a wet bar, plants, ceiling fans and special lighting for just the right outdoor ambiance. You'll soon find yourself admiring the view of Smith Mountain Lake while preparing a meal fit for a king!

To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Smith Mountain Lake Wishes the Blue Ridge Parkway a Very Happy Anniversary!

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:53:27 -0700

Happy Anniversary, Blue Ridge Parkway! Yes, that's right, our beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway celebrates 75 years this fall. Building of the Parkway officially began on September 11, 1935, near Cumberland Knob in North Carolina. Work in Virginia began in February of 1936.

Stanley L. Abbott, who became known as the "father of the Blue Ridge Parkway" for his work on its design, was hired to plan the route. Abbott developed a plan to create the Parkway as a chain of parks and areas of recreation where visitors could stop and enjoy the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as the natural wildlife and flora and fauna of the area. The project was under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service. Much of the early work was performed by crews hired under various New Deal programs.

The first part of the Parkway was a 12.5 mile section that was the first of 45 planned sections. Ultimately, the Blue Ridge Parkway would run all the way from the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

When World War II broke out, about $20 million had been spent on the Parkway and 170 miles were open to travel, while another 160 miles were under construction. Due to delays caused by the war, the Parkway was only about half completed by the mid-1950's. A development program known as Mission 66 was started in 1958 and construction accelerated. By 1966, only 7.7 miles over Grandfather Mountain remained incomplete.

Finally, in 1987, the entire 469-mile Parkway was completed and open to traffic, and is now the most visited part of the National Park Service.

With the approach of the fall season, the Blue Ridge Parkway will put on its finest colors for those who care to visit. Smith Mountain Lake homeowners are close to the Parkway and its natural beauty, as well as near the lovely views of Smith Mountain Lake itself. If you're planning a visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the vistas of colorful fall foliage, why not make a stop at Smith Mountain Lake part of your itinerary and see what it has to offer as well. You may not want to leave!

To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Plan Now to Attend the 22nd Annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival!

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:10:26 -0700

Want to taste some new wines or reconnect with some wines you already love? Then you will certainly want to plan on attending the 22nd annual Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival. This year's festival is set for September 25th and 26th.

Here are some of the particulars about this year's Festival:

27 Virginia wineries will be in attendance. If you can't find a wine you like, you're just not trying!

85 craft and food vendors will also be participating. For those who would rather eat than drink, or do both, now's your chance to find some new favorites.

Each day two local bands will be performing for your musical enjoyment. Saturday's bands are Barefoot West and Burning Bridges. On Sunday, Barefoot West will again be playing as well as The Worx.

The festival is located at LakeWatch Plantation in Moneta with easy access off Route 22, about 1 mile south of Hales Ford Bridge. Parking will be free!

Advance tickets are now available online or at several local locations. Prices are $18 in advance and $22 at the gate for tasters, and $12 in advance and $15 at the gate for non-tasters and designated drivers. Advance-priced tickets will be on sale until 5 p.m. on September 22nd. Even if you don't plan on participating in the wine tasting part of this great festival, you can still enjoy the other events and save your money for other festival purchases! You may also want to purchase a special Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival t-shirt so you don't have to spend a lot of time trying to decide what to wear to the festival.

For those who prefer to pick up their tickets at one of the local ticket outlets, here's a list of sellers.

The Smith Mountain Lake Wine Festival is just one of the many annual events that take place at Smith Mountain Lake. Visitors travel from far away to participate in these festivities, but you might want to consider moving to Smith Mountain Lake so you can be first in line to enjoy all the fun that goes on here.

To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

Smith Mountain Lake's Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show Coming September 18th

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 23:25:09 -0700

The sparkling waters of Smith Mountain Lake are home to many avid boating fans, so it will come as no surprise that these same boaters will want to attend Smith Mountain Lake's Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show coming September 18th.

Started back in 1991, the show has grown through those 20 years to be a lively area event. This year will be no exception with over 50 antique and classic vessels expected to be on display. Visitors will see everything from canoes to cruisers, mahogany hulls to utility boats, and outboards to runabouts.

The event is open to the public on Saturday, September 18th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is free, although donations are encouraged as they will be going to this year's featured charity.

Held at Mariner's Landing, 1037 Whitetail Drive in Huddleston, Virginia, the show is organized every year by the Smith Mountain Lake Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society. For this year's show, plans are underway for some new features, including having all the boats on display run their engines at the same time twice during the day.

Another idea is for different boats to run their engines every ten minutes, letting the public get a better idea of how these boats work. Of course, as with everything we do in the great outdoors at Smith Mountain Lake, these options will depend on the water level and the weather.

Vendors of crafts and nautical paraphenalia will also be at the show, as well as food and drink vendors. There will even be some special activities for the kids in attendance.

Want to learn more? You can contact Bob Goold online or give him a call at 540-296-0501.

Living at Smith Mountain Lake gives you quick access to all the great activities that go on here year round. To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

How Long Does it Take to Fill a Lake?

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 20:01:39 -0700

I don't know how long it takes to fill just any old lake, but it took almost two and a half years to fill Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia. Filling of the lake began on September 24, 1963, and ended on March 7, 1966. By damming the Blackwater River and the Roanoke River, Smith Mountain Lake was created for the purpose of generating electricity.

The 40-mile long lake has about 500 miles of shoreline, much of which is devoted to some of the area's most beautiful homesites. The lake covers 20,600 acres and has 32 square miles of surface, so no wonder it took over two years to fill. Not a filling job for your garden hose!

Smith Mountain Lake's deepest point is near the dam and is about 250 feet. The average depth of the lake is 55 feet but outside the coves, depths generally run from 80 to 150 feet.

This gorgeous body of water covers parts of three Virginia counties: Franklin, Bedford and Pittsylvania. It is 795 feet above sea level at its highest normal level, also known as "pond level".

Wouldn't it be a dream come true to live on the shores of beautiful Smith Mountain Lake and be able to enjoy not only the water but also all the other great activities that take place in the area all year long?

To learn more about some of the beautiful homes for sale in the Smith Mountain Lake area, contact Jane Sullivan Horne or visit her website. Jane and her staff can also be reached at 540-493-1690 and are ready to help you find your perfect spot at Smith Mountain Lake, whether for year-round living, a seasonal vacation home, or the retirement home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com

I am "Jane At The Lake!"

Jane Sullivan Horne (Prudential Waterfront Properties) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:08:17 -0700

Whether you are looking for a vacation home or a year round residence, Smith Mountain Lake offers you the best in waterfront living. Anchored by a 22,000 acre man-made lake, Smith Mountain Lake itself has 500 miles of shoreline. It is known for its fishing, its boating, and its opportunities for water sports - but the town is also renowned for its championship golf courses, area attractions, and friendly townspeople.

As a resident of Smith Mountain Lake myself for over 20 years, I know the Lake both as a resident and a Realtor®. My husband Bill and son Trey and I have created a wonderful home at the Water's Edge community where we enjoy a rich social life full of "lake activities". Because I know what Smith Mountain Lake offers to prospective buyers, I offer my clients a whole lot more than market stats and room measurements. I am "Jane At The Lake!"

I first became involved in sales to put myself through school at Appalachian State University. I have worked in Real Estate for the same company for 19 years. I especially like working with people who become neighbors. My job is to sell FUN and that makes it the Greatest Job in the World at the Greatest Place in the World!

It allows me to introduce people to the great benefits of living here, as well as to the people who are already here. My clients come to Smith Mountain Lake at all stages of life and find the community welcoming. Many first come to visit, and then love it so much they buy a home and start anew here.

As I begin my serious blogging career on Active Rain, I can't think of a more typical story that one I found in a recent edition of the Smith Mountain Eagle.

Lt. Col. Jeff Prowse lived in Northern Virginia and worked at the Pentagon, so he knew the Smith Mountain Lake area from previous visits here. Loving the tranquility and the beautiful waterfront location, he moved his family here shortly before his retirement from the military. He experimented with post-retirement careers and finally started winterizing boats. He soon partnered with fellow former Army officer Tom Buck, owner of Mitchell's Point Marina. Buck soon encouraged Prowse to take over the Smith Mountain Lake boat rental business at the marina. What Prowse felt he lacked in specific experience was compensated by his love of the water, so he "jumped in" full force. Now in his second year of renting boats to satisfied customers, Prowse is a proud member of the Smith Mountain Lake community, a homeowner, and an entrepreneur.

This can be you! Over the years I've helped numerous families find their home at Smith Mountain Lake - whether it be a condo for a second home, a weekend getaway, a permanent home, a retirement home, or a lot to build on or hold onto for investment. Contact me today for a personal tour of the home of your dreams.

Jane@JaneAtTheLake.com