News
Franklin County 4th Annual E-Cycling Day Set For April 21st
on March 28, 2012 by cfinley
Goodwill®, Prudential Waterfront Properties, Earth Environmental and Civil, and Franklin Community Bank, in cooperation with Franklin County, will host the 4th Annual Franklin County E-Cycling Day on Saturday, April 21st from 8:30 a.m. – Noon at three locations.
This year’s locations include:
- Rocky Mount Goodwill store, 1045 North Main Street;
- Prudential Waterfront Properties, 13247 Booker T. Washington (corner of Intersection Rt. 122 and Rt. 616);
- Franklin Community Bank, 400 Old Franklin Turnpike, Rocky Mount.
Once again the E-Cycling Day will focus on the recycling of computers, computer equipment, small appliances, and electronics. In addition, confidential on-site document destruction will be offered at the Franklin Community Bank location.
“In the past three years this event has been a very successful,” states Larry Moore, Assistant County Administrator for Franklin County. “By collecting and recycling computers, computer equipment, small appliances, and electronics, we have kept 15 tons of materials out of area landfills. This year we expect another large turnout and hope to collect record amounts of items.”
The Franklin County E-Cycling Day is an extension of a Goodwill partnership with Dell Computers and an effort to increase awareness of recycling and green initiatives throughout the Franklin County area. Since October 2008, through the Dell RECONNECTTM partnership, computers and computer related hardware have been responsibly recycled by Dell with proceeds benefiting Goodwill job training and employment programs.
Acceptable items for the E-Cycling event include, but are not limited to:
- Computers and Computer Equipment of any brand in any condition: monitors, keyboards, CPUs, printers, scanners, fax machines, printer cartridges, computer cords, and any related computer equipment. It is recommended that donors remove all data from hard drives and other storage media before donating.
- Small Appliances: toasters, microwaves, blenders, coffee makers, mixers, vacuums, food processors.
- Electronics: Clocks, radios, cell phones, PDAs.
- Paper: Shredding is available at the bank location only.
- Gently Used Clothing and Household Items: Clothing for the entire family and other items such as dishes, artwork, collectibles, etc.
In 2011, Goodwill kept over 14.3 million pounds of material out of local landfills throughout the 31 county, 14 city territory in Virginia. Through successful salvage efforts, the organization works diligently to see that the community’s castoffs do not come back to harm the environment. The revenues generated through salvage and recycling operations support Goodwill programs, which train individuals and help place them in competitive, community employment.
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys, a United Way partner organization headquartered in Roanoke, serves 31 counties and 14 cities in the New River, Roanoke, and Shenandoah Valleys. Its mission is to help people and families in our community achieve a better life through work and independence. In 2011 Goodwill assisted 75,734 individuals and in this difficult employment market placed 2,111 people into jobs in the community.
For over 25 years, Prudential Waterfront Properties markets real estate throughout Smith Mountain Lake and the surrounding areas. As members of the Multiple Listing Service, Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTORS® are able to assist buyers and sellers with all listed properties in a variety of price ranges and locations throughout the lake and surrounding areas. Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTORS® are consistent leaders in sales as well as customer and client service.
Franklin Community Bank, N.A. opened its doors for business in September 2002. Part of its mission is to support through active participation the communities we serve along with providing the highest level of service to help our clients achieve financial prosperity. We invite you to visit with us at one of our 3 locations in Franklin County and you will see why “your bank is here.”
Earth Environmental and Civil, Inc. has been providing environmental and civil engineering service throughout the region for 22 years. With large company capabilities and small company accessibility, our Engineers, Geologist, Scientists, and Planners keep our clients satisfaction as their top priority. At EEC, our emphasis lies in our ability to consistently provide quality service while effectively meeting budgets and schedules. Our experience ranges from project conceptualization through initiation to implementation and finally, the satisfaction of project completion.
College East Super Regional Bass Tournament Coming to Smith Mountain Lake
on March 24, 2012 by cfinley
Mercury College B.A.S.S., the premier college circuit of tournament anglers, announces its schedule and locations for the 2012 season. The College East Super Regional Bass Tournament is scheduled for April 13 & 14.
North to south, east to west, the circuit will cover regions that allow every style of angler to showcase his or her skills on the water.
Over 100 to 125 College teams from Texas to New York come to SML to compete for a chance to go to the Bassmaster Classic at Bridgewater Plaza, Moneta. Va. Tech alone has over 10 teams and bass fishing currently is the only nationally ranked sport that VA Tech has. Televised on ESPN U. “As a part of the team that helps bring tournaments to Smith Mountain Lake, Franklin County is extremely excited about the opportunity of hosting this tour. Fishing is big in southwest Virginia, but support of our college and university teams is even bigger. This tournament will be a tremendous plus to our community!” said Debra H. Weir, tourism/special events manager for Franklin County Commerce & Leisure Services.
For more information, visit http://www.bassmaster.com/news/2012-mercury-college-bass-schedule
Real Estate Poll: Americans Increasingly Optimistic About Homeownership
on March 18, 2012 by cfinley
Prudential Real Estate, a Brookfield Residential Property Services company, today released a new national survey showing that Americans are significantly more optimistic about homeownership than they were a year ago. According to the second-annual Prudential Real Estate Outlook Survey, a full 60 percent of Americans have favorable views toward the real estate market. That’s up 8 points since last year.
The survey shows that signs of increasing optimism are widespread:
- With interest rates at historically low levels, 96 percent agree or somewhat agree that now is a good time to buy.
- A full 70 percent of respondents have some degree of confidence that property values will improve over the next two years; with an 8 point increase in those very confident or confident compared to last year.
- 63 percent believe that real estate is a good investment despite the recent market volatility; that’s up 11 points from last year.
The survey confirms that despite the recession, homeownership remains a central part of the American Dream. Eight in 10 respondents said homeownership is very important to them; only 15 percent said the economic downturn made homeownership less important.
“Respondents told us what our sales professionals see every day that, despite recent market volatility, homeownership remains integral to the dreams of most Americans and that consumers’ confidence in the housing market is returning,” said Earl Lee, president, Prudential Real Estate. “This is good news for home buyers and sellers, communities and our economy as a whole. As more people look to take advantage of historic interest rates and prices, we believe the foundation for a sustainable recovery is in sight.”
The survey also highlighted strong ties between homeownership and the community: 77 percent agree that homeownership strengthens a sense of community with 87 percent agreeing or somewhat agreeing that neighborhood comprised of homeowners have a stronger sense of community than neighborhoods made up mainly of renters. This is critical in an environment where two in three respondents believe community feelings in America are declining.
Among the generations, 94 percent of respondents believe that finding the right home and community are crucial to helping their family be happy. Only a small minority of older Americans said the recent housing crisis made homeownership less important to them. Nearly half Gen Y respondents said it made homeownship more important. Gen Y’ers are particularly optimistic about the road ahead with 72% expressing favorable views about the residential real estate market.
“Characteristically, many of these consumers, particularly Gen Y, share a firm sense of family and community,” Lee said. “It’s not surprising now that they’re embracing homeownership to build on that sense.”
The survey also highlighted consumer caution in a recovering real estate market: 93 percent of respondents said that the housing crisis reminds them that they must be more careful about buying and selling property. More than 90 percent of respondents said a good real estate sales professional can help them make the right choices about homes and communities; and 71 percent believe good agent representation is more important than ever, up 4% from last year’s survey.
Methodology: Interviews with 1,251 Americans who are “in the market” to buy or sell a home were conducted online by Palisades Media Ventures and Penn Schoen Berland, between Feb. 10 and 20, 2012. Respondents are aged 25-64 with a household income of at least $50,000, and either recently bought/sold a home or are considering buying/selling a home. The margin of error is ± 2.8% for all respondents and higher for subgroups.
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Prudential Real Estate is a Brookfield Residential Property Services real estate brokerage franchise company. Prudential Real Estate franchises are independently owned and operated. Companies are selected based upon outstanding performance records and high levels of customer service.
Prudential Real Estate provides franchises with business strategies using Operation Reviews as well as numerous benefits, including access to Prudential Real Estate’s Online Seller Advantage® program, designed to provide real-time information to sellers with the touch of a keystroke, and Online Buyer Advantage®, which enables consumers to easily search for property in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Prudential Real Estate is one of the largest real estate brokerage franchise networks in North America, with more than 1,500 franchise offices and 50,000 sales professionals as of December 31, 2011.
Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities and are used under license, with no other affiliation with Prudential.
Be Mindful of your Safety and Property During your Smith Mountain Lake Homeselling Process
on March 8, 2012 by cfinley
If you’re selling your Smith Mountain Lake home, you have enough to think about without worrying that your home isn’t safe, or that your things may be stolen.
Yet, whether from open houses or scheduled showings, strangers are coming and going in your house all the time. By taking a few safeguards, you can ensure that you don’t need to worry about such things and better protect your belongings in the long run.
Of course, the easiest solution is to remove valuable jewelry, fine art or collectables beforehand, storing them with a friend or family member. If that’s not an option, then find a place to hide valuables in the home or keep them with you in a suitcase and take the suitcase with you in the car every time you leave yourself.
This should also be done for personal information and file cabinets that may contain papers with your account numbers and/or social security information. And don’t forget the medicine cabinets, as this is often an area that people steal from.
You should always keep your doors and windows locked and when returning to the home following a showing, double-check that they remain secure. Often, prospective buyers will open windows or doors to make sure they work or to see another part of the home. Although it may seem far-fetched, there have been incidents where people unlock doors when looking at a home and go back later to steal things.
One tactic involves people coming to the house multiple times and bringing a new person with them, who explores rooms when the agent is being distracted.
“While one person has your attention, the other raids jewelry boxes and medicine cabinets for narcotics,” said Robert Siciliano, an ADT.com security consultant who offers real estate advice on his blog. “In high crime areas, consider hiring an off-duty police officer to watch the property during a showing. You can’t possibly watch everyone during an open house.”
It may seem like a silly time to install an alarm system since you will be moving soon, but adding a security system will not only deter burglars but can also be a strong selling point of the house. People like safety features in the home.
If you are selling a Smith Mountain Lake home in which you’re not currently living, consider installing motion sensors that will automatically turn on lights when it’s dark. You can also put a few lamps on a timer so it appears someone is home when you’re out.
Reach out to your neighbors as well and ask them to keep an eye on your place. It’s always a good idea to introduce neighbors to your Prudential Waterfront Properties REALTOR® so they know things are OK when the agent is on the premises.
By taking a few extra precautions, you can feel safe and secure during a home sale.
Happy President’s Day
on February 21, 2012 by cfinley
Although this holiday started out as a celebration of Washington’s birthday, as you can see from the excerpt from Wikipedia below, a very keen marketer made it a bigger holiday.
As the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen, Presidents Day was celebrated on Washington’s actual birthday, February 22. On January 1, 1971, the federal holiday was shifted to the third Monday in February by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This date places it between February 15 and 21, which makes the name “Washington’s Birthday” in some sense a misnomer, since it never lands on Washington’s actual birthday, February 22.
An early draft of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act would have renamed the holiday to “Presidents’ Day” to honor the birthdays of both Washington and Lincoln, which would explain why the chosen date falls between the two, but this proposal failed in committee and the bill as voted on and signed into law on 28 June 1968, kept the name Washington’s Birthday.
By the mid-1980s, with a push from advertisers, the term “Presidents’ Day” began its public appearance. Although Lincoln’s birthday, February 12, was never a federal holiday, approximately a dozen state governments have officially renamed their Washington’s Birthday observances as “Presidents’ Day”, “Washington and Lincoln Day”, or other such designations. However, “Presidents’ Day” is not always an all-inclusive term.
Smith Mountain Lake Realtor Adam Lynch Elected to RVAR Board
on February 17, 2012 by cfinley
Congratulations to Adam Lynch with Prudential Waterfront Properties, located at Smith Mountain Lake, who was elected as a new director on the Roanoke Valley Association of REALTORS board at a recent Installation and Awards Ceremony. Melissa Morgan of Renaissance Real Estate was installed as RVAR’s President. Also installed were Betty Kingery as President-elect and Donna Greer as Vice President. In addition to Adam Lynch, one other new director, Bryan Musselwhite, was installed. Jeff Snyder and Richard Wimberley were installed for a second term as Directors.
During his Real Estate career, Lynch has earned multiple real estate certifications including the Accredited Buyers Representative® (ABR), Graduate of Real Estate Institute (GRI), and Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR). Lynch is a member Virginia Association of REALTORS®, National Association of REALTORS®, and Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce. He is a graduate from University of Tennessee at Knoxville and earned a B.A. degree in History. Lynch is a native of and currently resides in Franklin County with his wife, Allyson.
Lake Effects Movie Premiers May 19 on Hallmark Movie Channel
on February 17, 2012 by cfinley
‘Lake Effects,’ A Hallmark Movie Channel Original With An All-Star Cast Has Its World Premiere May 19
Scottie Thompson, Jane Seymour, Madeline Zima, Jeff Fahey, Ben Savage, Eyal Podell, Sean Patrick Flanery and Casper Van Dien Star
Hallmark Movie Channel announces the World Premiere of the Hallmark Movie Channel Original film “Lake Effects,” starring Scottie Thompson, Jane Seymour, Madeline Zima, Eyal Podell, Sean Patrick Flanery, Ben Savage, Jeff Fahey and Casper Van Dien premieres on the network, Saturday, May 19, 8 p.m. ET/PT, 7C.
“Lake Effects” is the story of a high powered attorney Sara (Thompson) who while on her way to the top reluctantly returns to her childhood home on the enchanting Smith Mountain Lake to attend her father’s (Fahey) funeral and help her sister Lily (Zima) and mother Vivian (Seymour) settle the family estate. While there, Sara’s love for the lake and the townspeople is reignited, and with the help of her father’s ever present spirit, Sara looks inward, discovers the importance of love and family, and gives her all to save the family’s beloved home.
The inspiration for “Lake Effects” comes from the real community of Smith Mountain Lake in Southwest Virginia where the film was shot. Because Smith Mountain Lake residents were instrumental in the making of the film, producers of the film have pledged a significant giveback program which includes donations to clean and restore the lake and preserve its rich history.
LIFE OUT LOUD Films presents “Lake Effects,” a Sara Elizabeth Timmins Production. Written by Scott Winters. Directed by Michael J. McKay. Music by Kazimir Boyle. Executive Producers Bart and Lynn Wilner. Produced by Sara Elizabeth Timmins.
Hallmark Movie Channel, the second linear channel from Crown Media Holdings, Inc., simulcast in SD (Standard Definition) and HD (High Definition), is a 24-hour cable network dedicated to bringing viewers family-friendly movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, original Hallmark Channel movies and special events. In today’s crowded television landscape, the network is a unique and captivating entertainment experience, providing programming families can watch together. It is now available in over 46 million homes. Crown Media also operates Hallmark Channel which provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience of 87 million subscribers.
The Stress of Buying a New Home
on February 7, 2012 by cfinley
Buying a home can be one of the more stressful experiences in life. It is often a long and sometimes intimidating process, lasting up to six months on average. The Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate market is huge and changes often with swings up and down. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by how much is ahead of you and how little you know about the process. But with the right attitude, it can also be an enjoyable, even exhilarating experience.
Here are some tips to make your home-buying experience positive and less stressful.
Preparing to Move
Organize
Be prepared by becoming knowledgeable. Educate yourself on each step of the process so you know what to expect. Get organized ahead of time. Keep a notebook and calendar dedicated exclusively to the home-buying process. An Excel spreadsheet is a great way to organize and compare all the information you gather, such as the homes you are interested in, potential lenders, and different mortgage rates.
Finances
Assess your financial situation before you begin looking for a home. Come up with a solid number for the maximum amount you can afford, as well as a target amount you would like to spend, ahead of time. Overestimate the closing costs (interest rates can change). This is also a good time to begin gathering the financial documents that you’ll need when applying for a loan.
Keep your finances in order until you close on your new home, which could be as long as six months away. Do whatever you can to help improve your credit score; don’t acquire new debt (no major purchases, new loans or new credit cards), reduce or eliminate any current debt, and pay your bills on time. It is never too early to begin improving your credit and is best started as early as two years prior to purchasing a home.
Find an Agent
Find a Prudential Waterfront Properties real estate agent who you trust and connect with on a personal level. Communication in this relationship is fundamental. Some questions to ask yourself: Are they good at translating industry jargon into terms you can easily understand? Do they communicate well using media that works for you, such as email, cell phone, or video conferencing? Credentials are a big factor too. Choose a Prudential Waterfront Properties agent with proven expertise in both the type of property and property location that interests you.
Finding a Home
“Think from the end,” is a common phrase heard in human potential circles. See yourself in your new home. How does it make you feel? What does it look like? Keep a journal to record these thoughts. Be as descriptive as possible. This can help to not only narrow down precisely what you are looking for in a home, but it can also help anchor you emotionally during a potentially unstable time by keeping the big picture in mind.
While dreaming of your new Smith Mountain Lake home is an important first step, keeping your expectations in check is equally important. Keep in mind that the criteria of what you are looking for in a home will change along the way. No house is perfect. Be willing to compromise on some of your requirements. Make a list of your top priorities (must-have’s) and lower priorities (nice-to-have’s). This will help identify areas where you can be more flexible.
Once you’ve found a home you like and know what you can work with financially, don’t let the latest market news influence your decision to move forward. If you start second-guessing the housing market or interest rates, you risk losing the home to another buyer. Choose a home because you love it. Listen to your heart.
Waiting for Acceptance
Once you’ve made an offer on a new home, try to relax and engage in your routine activities while you wait to hear whether the seller accepts your offer. During this waiting period, there are many potential stressors that could send your mind reeling. What if the seller rejects your offer, or comes back with an unreasonable counter-offer? Was your offer too little, or too much? Be prepared to make many offers before one is accepted. Keep in mind, even if your offer is accepted, there’s no guarantee it will close. Try to remain detached from the outcome until after the property has been inspected and you’ve been approved for a mortgage.
Inspection Period
Hire experienced and certified inspectors to conduct a thorough inspection of the property including possible insect damage. Be present during inspection, so you can ask questions regarding the home and become knowledgeable about any issues that are discovered.
Getting approved for a Loan
Taking out a loan can be the most stressful part of the home-buying process. Transactions typically take at least a month to complete. Having your financial situation scrutinized can be an uncomfortable process. Worrying about whether you will be approved is an added stressor. It helps to gather your financial records (credit card balances/statements, bank statements, investment statements) prior to meeting with a loan officer. Obtain a copy of your credit report; you’re entitled by law to one free credit report per year. A copy of your 4506 T form (IRS Tax Return Transcript), which includes a summary of your tax information, is also available online for download.
Don’t lose sight of the fact that you have options when choosing a lender and a mortgage. This can help restore a sense of control when so much of the home-buying process is out of your hands. Talk to several lenders; don’t just go for the first lender you talk to. Consult with your Real Estate agent to help you through the process of securing a mortgage. Don’t hesitate to ask questions until you understand the answer.
After Close, Moving In
Congratulations! You’ve successfully negotiated yourself through the complex maze that is home-buying and now find yourself at last kicking back on your couch with your favorite drink in the home of your dreams.
Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce New Mobile App
on February 5, 2012 by cfinley
Be Sure to Download Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce New Mobile App.
The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce is now providing a mobile app (MyChamberApp) that helps consumers find discounts, events, and services offered by Chamber of Commerce members.
MyChamberApp provides maps, locations, phone numbers, websites, images, and even videos to help consumers make a shopping decision.
MyChamberApp is available to iPhone, iPod, Android and Blackberry users for Free (www.MyChamberApp.com/download).
The Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber is one of the early adopters of this mobile technology; we are proudly serving our community and continue to help stimulate local commerce while supporting our members.
To find out more, contact Annette Stamus, 540-721-1203
Check out Smith Mountain Lake dealers at 2012 Boat Show
on February 3, 2012 by cfinley
For more than 30 years, The Southwest Virginia Boat Dealers Association has hosted this Boat Show, and is proud to host the 2012 Boat Show at the Roanoke Civic Center on February 24 through February 26, 2012 at Roanoke Civic Center. This event has doubled in size over the last couple of years and represents a unique, once-a-year opportunity to see every dealer on Smith Mountain Lake. It is a business opportunity to present your products to boating enthusiasts everywhere.
The SVBDA is making a huge effort to draw the BIGGEST crowd yet to this event, including exciting exhibits of boating equipment, related products and services and MUCH more.
RETURNING THIS YEAR: Free Admission Friday….Yes, Free FRIDAY with no admission charge. This is the time to buy…the show is the place to buy as all dealers offer the best selection and special manufacturer boat show only promotions! See you at the show.
Adults $7.50
Children 12 and Under Free with an Adult.
Need information about the show? Contact Show Director Darrel Ross at (434) 610-5991.
Friday, February 24, 1pm – 7pm
Saturday, February 25, 10am – 7pm
Sunday, February 26, 10am – 5pm
