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When interest rates rise, buying a home becomes more expensive, so you may need to tighten your budget. However, there are advantages. For instance, if you have a fixed-rate mortgage, your monthly payment remains unchanged—a strong hedge against inflation even as home prices and other costs climb. Additionally, higher rates help your savings and money […]

With improved law enforcement tools, residential burglaries are on the decline, but they still occur at homes that look like easy pickings. Burglars prefer to target homes that offer easy opportunity, low risk, and potential rewards. From the street, they can quickly gather information just by driving the neighborhood, “jogging by” at different times of the day, checking […]

Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia is the perfect place for beginner boaters to learn the ropes. Smith Mountain Lake (SML) is a sparkling, tree-lined retreat set against the breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains of south-central Virginia. Its peaceful waters attract both seasoned mariners and those looking to escape the pace of city life. […]

As of November 2024, there were 132,000,000 households in the U.S., a net increase of 782,000 from the previous year. Family households grew by 351,000; married couples grew by 122,000; and non-family homes (single-person occupancy) grew by 432,000. Meanwhile, researchers found average household sizes declined from 2.58 members in 2010 to 2.53 members in 2024. According to the U.S. […]

The engine hums, the open water stretches ahead, and the sun glistens off the surface of the lake. The day, like so many before, holds the promise of adventure, an ease and excitement that never seems to dull, no matter how often you take the boat out. At Smith Mountain Lake, boating isn’t just a […]

Color psychologists say that colors have personalities that affect people and the environment. Brown, for example, is quietly confident, approachable, reliable, and reassuring. When the Pantone Color Institute released its selection for the Color of the Year 2025, a rich silky brown evocative of chocolate and coffee called Mocha Mousse, it explained that this is the shade […]

Your fireplace and chimney should be top of your spring-cleaning list, especially if you’re selling your home. Not only will your fireplace look (and smell) better, but it will be much safer to operate next winter. Wood-burning fireplaces build up creosote which is highly flammable; one spark can turn into a chimney fire, damage the […]

If you’re contemplating selling your home, call your Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices network professional. They have ample data at their fingertips to inform you of current market conditions, which may have changed in the last few months. They’ll assist you in selecting the right price to list your home and help you get it sold for […]

When you have a view like this you want to make sure you’re making the most of it! Nothing beats owning a waterfront home at Smith Mountain Lake. Whether you’re a full-time resident or this is your second home, you’ll know that living and owning real estate here means enjoying a lifestyle that blends tranquility […]