A Deck May Make the Difference

With spring in the air, the exterior of a Smith Mountain Lake property becomes even more important when putting your house on the market because buyers now will spend more time outside looking at your property and envisioning what their summer barbeques and family playtime will look like.

The addition of any amount of usable real estate to a property increases value. Customized decks and personalized outdoor living areas are a hot trend in home improvement upgrades, and a great-looking deck may entice more people to come see your home.

Building or updating an existing deck isn’t simply a great investment; it also provides opportunities to personalize your backyard and customize the look to your taste. And with many families staying home this summer to save money, why not think about creating the perfect location for entertaining?

Deck experts agree that multi-level decks are the most popular now. These are a series of decks connected by stairways or walkways, which are aesthetically pleasing and can be used for different purposes. One level can be used to catch the sun, one level can be positioned for shade and another can be set close to the house for entertaining and barbequing.

Wood decks have always been the most popular, but caring for them is tough. They will rot over time, are subject to insect infestation and require a great deal of maintenance to keep the wood from fading. Accordingly, people are embracing composite materials for their decks, which cost significantly more but will last longer with less maintenance.

For those homes that already have a deck, it’s important to make sure that it’s still in good shape and adds to the attractiveness of a property. You can change your deck’s appearance with interesting balusters to match other decorative accents on your house or in your yard and really add unique touches to make the deck a personal haven. Meanwhile, railings offer a good opportunity to pull in color and ornamental detail that complements the house.

By designing your deck with accents, lights and unique accessories, you can transform your backyard into an outdoor retreat one will never want to leave. Whether you’re catching up with friends over a grilled dinner in the evening or are curled up with a book in a lounge chair on a sunny afternoon, a deck is the perfect place to be.

Jan McGraw Joins Prudential Waterfront Properties

Prudential Waterfront Properties welcomes Jan McGraw, REALTOR® to their professional sales team.

A native of this area, McGraw has over 13 years experience in the real estate industry. Prior to joining Prudential Waterfront Properties, McGraw was with Realty World Properties since 2005 and was a REALTOR in Lynchburg with John Stewart Walker, Inc. 1999-2005.  During her real estate career, McGraw has earned several designations including ABR, GRI and CRS.

According Cathie Daniel, Principal Broker, Prudential Waterfront Properties, “We are very excited to welcome Jan to our team. She not only brings with her a great deal of experience as a REALTOR, but Jan has an in depth knowledge of the Bedford area of Smith Mountain Lake. Jan’s background and education shows her commitment to providing a high level of professional services to better serve and protect her clients.”

McGraw is a member of the Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors, Virginia Association of Realtors and National Association Realtors. As a member of the Multiple Listing Service, Jan is able to assist buyers and sellers with all listed properties in a variety of price ranges and locations.

2011 After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake

Prudential Waterfront Properties is pleased to once again headline the ‘After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake’ 2011 summer concert series. The first outdoor event will kick-off on Thursday, June 2, 2011 with “The Holiday Band” performing at Westlake Towne Center, next to Kroger. Gates open at 5 p.m. with live music getting underway at 5:30 p.m. through 8:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the United Way of Franklin County.

Dates, bands and times for the 2011 ‘After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake’ concerts series are as follows:

  • Thursday, June 2
    The Holiday Band
    5 – 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 7
    The Embers
    5 – 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 4
    Key West Band
    5 – 8:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 1
    Part Time Party Time Band
    5 – 8:30 p.m.

‘After 5 Jive at Smith Mountain Lake’ is sponsored by Prudential Waterfront Properties, Carilion Clinic, Appalachian Power, Western Virginia Water Authority, Smith Mountain Building Supply, Kroger, Ferguson Kitchen & Bath, Laker Media, WDBJ-7, Budweiser, and Coca-Cola.

According to Christopher Finley, event coordinator, “We are very excited to bring this event back to the greater Smith Mountain Lake region. Our goal is to continue providing entertainment options for local residents, draw visitors to the area, and provide an attraction for vacationers while at the same time generating proceeds that will benefit the United Way of Franklin County whose 18 partner agencies serve a comprehensive range of human needs.”

Admissions for Adults is $5, children 10 and under are admitted free. Valid ID required for 21 and older. There will be a children’s play area with an inflatable slide and other activities.

Participating food and drink vendors include Homestead Creamery, Hot Shots, Brooks Mill Winery, Budweiser and Coca-Cola. Lawn chairs welcome. No coolers, outside food or drinks, rollerblades, skateboards or pets are allowed on the premises. Events are subject to cancellation and possible rescheduling due to inclement weather. For additional information, contact (540) 721-5288.