A Checklist for Closing up Your Lake Cabin for Winter

Article written by LakeHomes.com intern Sarah Wright.

Photo courtesy of NKAR Booking.

With sweet summertime behind us, winter is fast approaching.

For those lake property owners who will be leaving their homes unoccupied during the off-season, be sure you check off all the items on this checklist before closing up your lake cabin for winter.

Inside:

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash
  • Turn off your water heater.
  • Throw away all perishables.
  • Unplug all of your appliances.
  • Check your fireplace—make sure there are no places where animals can find an entry or where cold air can enter.
  • Exposed pipes can become frozen pipes, so insulate pipes that are in unheated parts of the house and open cabinets to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing.
  • Set your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit for both day and night periods.
  • Cover your furniture to prevent sun damage.
  • Make sure all windows and doors are completely closed.

Outside:

  • Outdoor equipment and furniture should be brought indoors.
  • Mow the lawn on your last visit during the summertime; after that, winterize the lawnmower.
  • Turn off the outside breakers.
  • Clean your gutters.
  • Seal any outside air leaks.
  • Prepare your outside pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
  • Make sure no limbs are hanging over your house that could potentially fall and damage it.

For more information on prepping your property for the off-season, check out Lake Homes Realty CEO Glenn S. Phillips’ tips for winterizing your lake home

Four Ways to Make a Deer-Resistant Lake Homes Landscape

By Fletcher Allen, Noah Ryan, and Kristen Carr

Anyone that lives in a rural or even suburban environment will tell you hungry deer can make annoying neighbors. Deer are generalist herbivores, meaning they prefer to consume a variety of plants. They rely on all their senses to navigate their environment and forage for food, and once deer find a spot with food to eat, they are likely to return for more. With a little planning, creating a deer-resistant landscape is easy.

There are an array of plants, barriers, tools, and deterrents, however, that can assist in discouraging our furry-tailed friends. Using a combination of two or more methods is the most effective way to make your landscape deer-resistant. Here are four effective ways to create a deer-resistant landscape.

Deer-Resistant Plants

White Irises
Photo courtesy of Peter Krumhardt via Better Homes & Gardens

One classification of plants to consider is fuzzy or hairy plants. Deer generally consider the soft bristles on certain plants to be unpalatable and thorny plants can prove difficult to consume. An exception to this rule is roses. While they may seem like a good choice, deer seem to have no issue gnawing on their thorny canes.

Plants in this category include lamb’s ear, lady’s mantle, Siberian Bugloss, flowering tobacco, yarrow, and many others. Online companies like Garden Goods Direct and Amazon are great places to find these plants. You can also find them at many local nurseries or markets if you prefer to see them in person before you purchase them.

Deer don’t seem satisfied with fibrous or leathery plants, as the texture can be hard to chew and digest. Examples of these plants are elephant ear, pachysandra, irises, and peonies. Just like the thorny plants, these can typically be found at your local flower market, but online shops like Holland Bulb farms can save you the trip, and you can order them online.

The following plants are nothing to snub your nose at, as deer have an acute sense of smell and use this when seeking a meal. Plants emitting heavy fragrances may encourage deer to search elsewhere. Their sense of smell is a powerful tool, but overwhelming scents may cause disorientation.

Various types of herbs like this Hidcote lavender, mint, dill, and sage plants from Burgess Seed & Plant Co. are great options.

Some plants are toxic to deer and cause nausea or constipation. Note that these plants may also be harmful to people or pets, so exercise caution when selecting. A few examples of these toxic plants include daffodils, false indigo, and poppies.

Fencing

Deer fence
Photo courtesy of cropsreview.com

Proper fencing is one of the most efficient methods to make your landscape deer-resistant. Erecting a fence for this purpose can be costly and could prove pointless if done wrong. Deer can jump up to eight feet high, so your fence must be at least this tall.

Choose your fence type wisely, as a deer is much more likely to hop a fence it can see through. Stockade fencing like this one from Lowe’s is a good choice in this regard. Using chicken wire to protect singular plants can prove helpful but may not stop a deer from crushing the frame.

Electric fences are another popular option that discourages deer. Places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and Amazon have multiple options for you to choose from. The shock will be enough to fend off the deer, but they won’t be harmed.

Scare Them

Motion floodlight
Photo courtesy of pestrepellerultimate.com

Protecting your lake home from deer is already laborious, especially if it’s your vacation home. Having a few passive methods to scare deer away from the property is a popular approach to managing wildlife.

Overpowering the senses is a powerful way to deter deer. Using motion-triggered floodlights like this Bell and Howell Bionic Floodlight Max may cause them to panic and flee the area. Another method is using sound-emitting devices. The Guardian thermal motion sensor has specific frequencies that you can choose depending on what pest animals you are trying to repel. A loud noise ringing in a deer’s ear has proven effective but can be an expensive route.

Motion-activated sprinklers like this one are a good option but be aware of a few caveats to this method. If you’re trying to protect a large area around your house or the perimeter of your property, you’ll need more than one. Invest in an Ultrasonic Repeller that sends out ultrasonic waves to protect your property night and day.

During the winter, hoses can freeze and render your sprinklers useless, so employ more than one method for the best results.

Deer Repellant

Deer & Rabbit Repellent
Photo courtesy of Amazon

There are a plethora of deer repellents available on the market that can be effective. 

The key to making the best out of your deer repellant is to be consistent; one spritz of repellant is not enough. Make sure to follow the instructions for application rigorously if you want good results. 

Just like the plants that deer will avoid, repellants rely strongly on the senses of smell and taste. Some good brands for repellent are Deer Out and Liquid Fence. Both options are rain resistant, can be sprayed directly on plants without harm, and are environmentally friendly.

While there are some DIY repellents, the smell and ingredients of store-bought repellents tend to bother humans less and won’t lure raccoons or other critters to come and check out the formula.

There’s no way to completely avert deer from your yard or garden and some solutions might work better than others, depending on your area. Consider asking your neighbors or local garden experts their solutions and execute some trial and error to find what works best for you.

Professional Bass Fishing: Bassmaster Tournaments

Photo courtesy of Bassmaster.com

By Fletcher Allen and Lacey Spear

​​Picture premier bass fisheries, expert anglers, and prestigious awards. This is the Bassmaster Classic, gathering over 100,000 people annually and serving as the Super Bowl of the bass fishing world. The winner of the Classic gains $300,000 and boasts the most coveted title in all of bass fishing, but how does one procure this prestigious award? Here is the path to the Classic.

During all events, each angler competes to reel in the heaviest combined catches. At the weigh-in, the angler with the most weight to their name obtains first place and gains 300 AOY (Angler of the Year) points. All other anglers still acquire points, but the amount decreases relative to the angler’s event ranking. The AOY award is given to the person who accumulates the most points from all events and is on par with winning the Classic.

In this article, we’re highlighting nine lakes that will feature some of these exciting events, including the 2022 Classic!

Alabama

Photo courtesy of Bassmaster.com

Lewis Smith Lake

Photo courtesy of Cullman Economic Development Agency via Major League Fishing

Lewis Smith Lake is deep and clear, with a maximum depth of 264 feet. The transparency of the water — sometimes up to 20 feet — makes it the perfect place for lighter test lines and natural-colored creature bait. It is set to host three Bassmaster events this year: the High School Series on March 13, the Nation Southeast Regional April 27-29, and the Kayak Series on May 21.

Logan Martin Lake

Photo courtesy of Best-Wallpaper.net

Logan Martin Lake has a long history of tournament play because of its ideal stained freshwater conditions — the perfect place to find bass. Largemouth and spotted bass are the most popular catches, sought out under docks, laydowns, and brush piles. The College Series Wild Card will take place June 17-18 and give teams who are on a waiting list for the regular qualifiers a chance to make it to the College National Championship.

Arkansas

Photo courtesy of Brady Rogers on Unsplash

Lake Norfolk

Photo courtesy of Arkansas.com

Although it’s nationally famous for stripers, Norfork Lake has fantastic opportunities to catch largemouths, smallmouths, and spotted bass. Norfork has less underwater structure than other lakes, but anglers find action when focusing on limited brush piles or steep shoreline drop-offs. A high school and college qualifier will take place back to back, with the college qualifier happening April 22-23 and the high school qualifier on April 24.

South Carolina

Photo courtesy of Samantha Deleo on Unsplash

Lake Norman

Photo courtesy of Our State

Another consistent setting for bass fishing tournaments is Lake Norman. There is plenty of cover to fish here, such as docks, bridge pilings, and creeks, but the most popular fishing spot is the hot water discharge chutes at the McGuire Nuclear Station. Baitfish crowd the warm waters, drawing in the white bass, stripers, largemouths, and spots here. A college series qualifier will take place March 25-26.

North Carolina

Photo courtesy of Chris Hardy on Unsplash

Lake Hartwell

Photo courtesy of seekthescenic.com

Lake Hartwell is one of the southeast’s largest and most popular recreational lakes, measuring a whopping 56,000 acres. Anglers know it as a fantastic bass fishing lake, with species like stripers, large and smallmouths, spots, and hybrid stripers present. Hartwell has hosted many Bassmaster events in the past, including three classics. Besides hosting 2022’s Classic, there will be a Southern Open October 6-8.

Tennessee

Photo courtesy of Yiran Ding on Unsplash

Cherokee Lake

Photo courtesy of 9 Lakes of East Tennessee

Cherokee Lake, a hotbed for smallmouth bass, is known for its abundant forage base of threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and alewife. This forage creates stellar fishing prospects by providing cover for three black bass species, white, striped, and hybrid striped bass, walleye, sauger, sunfish, and catfish. The Southern Open will debut on Cherokee Lake March 31-April 2.

Chickamauga Lake

Photo courtesy of Major League Fishing

Chickamauga Lake, nicknamed “The Land of the Giants,” contains hundreds of 10-pound largemouth bass. The aquatic vegetation and strategic landscaping create ideal conditions for smallmouth and striped bass, as well as bluegill, redear sunfish, walleye, sauger, and catfish. On April 7-9, the Bassmaster Elite Series will premiere on Chickamauga Lake, providing viewers the chance to see the experts take on these prolific waters.

Texas

Photo courtesy of Sportsman Channel

Lake Fork

Photo courtesy of Bassmaster.com

In 2021, Bassmaster magazine named Lake Fork the Best Bass Fishery in the nation. The lake was created as a textbook fishery and offers a stellar fish habitat with 80% of the standing timber remaining. On these waters, fishermen catch largemouth and white bass; black and white crappie; channel, flathead, and blue catfish; bowfin, and sunfish. On May 19-22, Lake Fork residents and guests can watch the Elite Series.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Photo courtesy of FishingBooker.com

Spanning 114,500 acres, the Sam Rayburn Reservoir is the second largest lake in Texas. This lake provides successful fishing all year round. Most fish are concentrated in the deeper water near brush piles or in creek channels, and anglers reel in largemouth and white bass, crappie, sunfish, bluegill, and channel catfish. On October 20-22, fishing fans can view the Central Open on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

Bassmaster not only hosts competitive tournaments with large prize pools but also teaches bass anglers at an early age to appreciate preserving fish populations and their respective waterways. Bassmaster’s primary goal is “to advocate for clean water, habitat preservation, invasive species control, public access, and ethical fish care,” proving that there is more to bass fishing than just reeling in the largest catch.

Be a Friend to the Fish – Sink Your Christmas Tree

Lit Christmas tree in lake surrounded by snow capped mountains
Photo courtesy of Missoulian.

After all the hype of the holidays, one thing is for sure: our homes are overrun with mangled wrapping paper, boxes and our now-naked Christmas trees.

For some, their trees can simply be packed up and thrown in the attic until next year – the convenience of an artificial evergreen. But for many others, disposing of their living holiday decor can be challenging.

Luckily for those who love the lake, there is a simple solution: sink your old Christmas tree at your favorite fishing hole!

Benefits of Sinking

An approved disposal method by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and conservation biologists, sunken trees are great for creating natural fish habitats in your local ponds and lakes.

Once sunken, recycled Christmas trees become havens for a variety of freshwater wildlife, including small insects, snails and mussels.

These tiny organisms attract fish who feed on them, like minnows and craw fish, who in turn, attract such species as bass, blue gill and crappie.

One tree can become an entire ecosystem with an estimated lifespan of up to 10 years, which is not only great for lake life, but for fishing enthusiasts too.

Sinking Methods and Tips

Person disposing of Christmas tree in lake for fish habitat
Photo courtesy of St. Louis Public Radio.

Trees are naturally buoyant, so sinking one requires a little extra weight.

Most commonly, it’s best to remove a few limbs from the base of the tree, exposing enough of its trunk that it can be inserted into an empty 5-gallon paint bucket. Once fitted in the container, pour cement into the bucket and allow to set, effectively securing the tree to its weighted base.

Alternative methods include wiring cinder blocks to the base of the tree’s trunk and securing the tree to the cinder block with cement, similar to the paint bucket method.

For optimal fishing, anglers recommend removing several limbs to allow space for larger fish to swim through and inhabit. Spaces between six inches wide and eighteen inches wide yield the best variety of sizes.

Additionally, trees should be fully submerged year-round to ensure the habitat will remain viable for as many years as possible. Year-round submersion also helps to conceal your fishing hole’s location from other anglers.

Drop-Off Locations/Donation Centers

Christmas tree lake donation and drop off center
Photo courtesy of USACE.

Before sinking your Christmas tree, check with your local department of natural resources, lake management entity, or area conservation office to make sure Christmas tree recycling is permitted on your lake.

Many of these organizations can also tell you where you can find designated drop-off locations for anglers who don’t own boats or have a way to transport their trees to deep waters.

These areas include donation centers and parks and recreation offices, ranger stations and boat ramps. Lake lovers can also put their trees out by the road for pickup in many areas.

Self-sinkers are encouraged to dispose of their trees in areas near creek channels, ledges and drop off points, and should be sure to ask their overseeing organizations if GPS coordinates for their drop-off sites must be submitted for recording purposes.

For more tips for this holiday season, read “Tips for Celebrating Christmas on the Lake“.

The Many Wonders of Lake Champlain, VT

Just missing out on the title of the eighth wonder of the world, the breathtaking 271,000-acre Lake Champlain does achieve the distinction of the eighth largest naturally occurring body of water in the United States.

But Lake Champlain’s size isn’t the only thing about the lake that’s amazing. With beauty that is far too astonishing for just one state, the lake extends into both New York and Vermont for a total of 600 miles of awe-inspiring shoreline.

And while we are sure the “New York side” of Lake Champlain is lovely, we think the Vermont side deserves a special spotlight.

Where History Was Made

Photo courtesy of WAMC.

Named after French explorer Samuel de Champlain, the lake has played a significant role in American history.

It was the site of many Revolutionary battles, including the seizure of forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point in 1775, shortly after the war for independence began.

Lake Champlain was also the home of America’s first naval fleet, which under the direction of General Benedict Arnold, helped prevent British troops from advancing into the southern colonies.

However, in 1777 the British regained control of the lake and maintained that control until the war’s end.

After independence was won, the “Vermont side” of Lake Champlain operated as an independent republic, relying heavily on Canadian trade until 1791, when it became the fourteenth American state.

By 1810, the Champlain Valley was home to more than 140,000 people.

The War of 1812 saw more fighting on Lake Champlain’s shores, and in 1814 it was the site of the Battle of Plattsburgh, which helped pave the way to peace negotiations and the war’s end not long thereafter.

Today, Lake Champlain’s war-time significance has been honored by three naval ships that bear its name: USS Lake Champlain (CG-57), USS Lake Champlain (CV-39) and USS Lake Champlain (y. 1918-19).

Around and About Lake Champlain

Photo courtesy of Vermont.org.

Today, throughout the Lake Champlain region and into the nearby Green Mountains, residents can enjoy hands-on excursions, in-depth tours of historic sites and visits to the area’s many galleries and museums.

Filled with more than 90 species of fish, Lake Champlain is a thriving fishing destination, one that consistently ranks among the top bass fishing lakes in the country with largemouth, smallmouth and rock bass species all present in the lake.

Apart from fishing, visitors and residents alike enjoy boating, kayaking, yachting and sailing along the lake’s full length of 125 miles.

Private sailing cruises, boat tours, and ferry rides are also popular activities, inviting participants to take in as much of Lake Champlain’s breathtaking scenery as possible.

Off the water, there is plenty more to do, like taking a trip to the Vermont National Guard museum, where patrons can admire artillery and War-era artifacts from the area’s many battles.

Or for Lake Champlain-area foodies, take the Burlington Edible History tour!

The unhurried two-mile walk features five restaurants specializing in farm-to-table fare, much like the foods enjoyed during the early days of the city.

Your Home on Lake Champlain

222 McNeil Cove
222 McNeil Cove on Lake Champlain, VT.

Regardless of whether you’re an outdoor adventurer or more of an indoor observer, Lake Champlain has something for everyone, including prime lake real estate.

With properties in both New York and the Queen State, the lake is an approximately $178 million real estate market, offering between 300 and 400 listings at any given time.

This market is broken down by geographic area with inventory located in the Grand Isle area, the Swanton area, the Addison area and in the Burlington area.

As a whole, Lake Champlain reported an average home price of $628,402 in Summer 2019, but owning a piece of Lake Champlain is attainable for every budget.

In fact, 60% of the lake’s Addison area home listings are priced below the market average. Similarly, 29% of home inventory on Lake Champlain-Burlington is below market average, and the lake’s Grand Isle area features 70% of its lake home inventory priced below this average.

In the Swanton area of Lake Champlain, 90% of homes for sale are priced below $628,000.

Become a full-time resident or enjoy this lake’s natural and historical wonders as a part-time weekend warrior. Click HERE to learn more about Lake Champlain, VT.

Lake Homes Realty’s Glenn S. Phillips Named CEO of the Year

Glenn Phillips accepting Birmingham Business Journal CEO award

Lake Homes Realty, CEO, Glenn S. Phillips was honored with the CEO of year award for companies with 26-50 employees by business newspaper, the Birmingham Business Journal. The company has 50 employees in the Hoover, AL corporate office, but has real estate agents in over 3,000 lake markets nationwide.

Phillips was honored by the Birmingham Business Journal with the CEO award after he was nominated along with five other local business leaders in the same category. Consideration was based on strong financial performance, tangible results and goals achieved, along with the success of the business and community involvement.

(Pictured left to right) Mark Griggs, JW Hightower, Linda Thach, Stephanie Millard, Glenn Phillips, Doris Phillips, Susan Bennett, and Hallie Mitchell.

The awards took place at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook. He was one of 35 executives nominated and one of only 7 winners of the award in each company size category. The award winners were recognized as executives who inspire those around them and hold their employees, products and services to the highest standards.

Phillips said, “I was really surprised by this honor! It’s an award for my whole team at Lake Homes Realty, I couldn’t do this without each and every one of them. As long as we are recognized for our hard work and growth as a company, I am very happy.”

For more Lake Homes Realty news, read here.

The Latest in Lake Home Security

Man in suit pressing high tech screen with security icons

Whether your lake place is a primary residence or a home away from home, protecting it from break-ins and uninvited house guests should be at the top of your priority list. This security tip is true, especially if the property will be unoccupied this off-season.

It’s always a good idea to ask a friendly neighbor to keep an eye on your property while you’re away. Hire someone to maintain the yard in your absence. Planting thorny shrubbery under your home’s windows and installing an alarm system are great options for keeping your lake place safe, too.

Adding the latest lake home security systems and gadgets to your property can provide you with a little extra peace of mind that your investment is secure while you’re away.

Smart Locks/Keyless Entry

Smart lock on blue glass front door
Photo courtesy of HGTV.

Instead of trying to keep up with who has keys to your home and fretting about finding a safe spot to keep a spare, consider using the latest in security technology for your lake home

Replace your traditional locks with keyless entry devices, which can be programmed to recognize multiple unique access codes, reducing the chances of a stolen or copied key.  

Every member of your household can have a user-specific entry ID, safeguarding your property against potential wrongdoers who may try to memorize entry strokes.

Assigning family and friends with personal entry codes can also help you identify who enters your home and when through your device’s accompanying app.

Additional smart lock safety features include password-protected Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, remote accessibility, voice command options, and even fingerprint scanners on some models.

You can purchase most smart locks for less than $275, and installation usually takes less than a day. 

For a list of the top-rated keyless door locks on the market in 2019, check out this helpful PCMag article.

Remote-Access/Controlled Lighting

Smart device with controlled lighting app
Photo courtesy of Protect America.

Creating the illusion that your home is occupied is a simple way to deter burglars and vandals from entering the property while you’re away for the off-season.

Installing remote-access lighting makes this easier by allowing you to turn lights on and off in different areas of the home to mimic your presence.

Most programs allow you to manually program your lights, via your smart home hub or wireless app, to activate and deactivate at specific times throughout the day and in specified areas.

Other options allow you to set your lighting system to “vacation mode,” which will turn your lights on and off randomly. Smart lights can also be set to turn on when they detect motion or sound. 

You can purchase the Caseta Wireless Smart Lighting Dimmer Switch Starter Kit for about $100 at The Home Depot, a relatively inexpensive smart device option.

Lutron’s Caseta wireless devices take roughly 15 minutes to install per dimmer switch, each of which can control up to 17 light bulbs in a single circuit.

Facial Recognition Security Cameras

Facial recognition security camera by Google
Photo courtesy of The Silicon Review.

Security cameras equipped with facial recognition software are the latest lake home security devices to hit the market.

These camera systems alert homeowners when a device registers anyone on the property whose face is not in its user-programmed recognition databank.

Some facial recognition-equipped cameras can also be programmed to monitor specific areas around the house that may be most susceptible to unlawful entry or damage.

More advanced systems offer heat mapping and analysis capabilities and can even alert homeowners when cars with unfamiliar license plates are detected.

Nest smart home devices, like the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor, are among the most popular security camera systems available.

You can purchase this particular model for about $350. However, Nest IQ systems do not include “familiar face alerts” automatically. This bonus feature is accessible through a monthly subscription to Nest Aware.

Subscriptions start at $5 a month.

Do you have a favorite lake home security tip to share? Tell us in our comments section below!

2019 Lake Homes Realty Agent Summit Awards

Lake Homes Realty recognized 52 real estate agents with awards at its 2019 Agent Summit. These professionals automatically earned Premier Agent designations at the brokerage’s sixth annual Agents Summit, held October 15-17, 2019.

“Our agents are lake realty specialists and industry leaders in the sale of real estate,” said Lake Homes Realty CEO Glenn S. Phillips, “as we grow and add more experienced agents on more lakes, the number of awards increase every year.”

2019 Big Wave and Aqua Award honorees represent the brokerage in 27 states.

Award Criteria and Eligibility

The Agent of the Year designation goes beyond total revenue and recognizes an agent that is not only successful at producing revenue, but who also excels in the real estate business. This agent does all the little things and the big things well. 

Agents who sold or exceeded $10 million in total transaction volume were honored as Big Wave Award winners.

By receiving these awards, Lake Homes Realty agents are recognized as the top-producing lake experts in the company.

The Lake Homes Realty Aqua Award was awarded to agents who, in the 12-month evaluation period, sold a total transaction volume of at least $3.5 million up to, but not including, $10 million.

Agents who had not reached this total transaction volume between September 1, 2018, and August 31, 2019, were still eligible to win this award if they had closed at least 20 transaction sides within the period.

In determining the 2019 award honorees, Lake Homes Realty defined total transaction volume as the combined sales price of each transaction, independent of the number of sides an agent represented.

“Put another way, if you were to add up the final price at which each property sold in the last 12 months, whether agents represented a single side or both sides, you would reach the agent’s total transaction volume,” explained brokerage CEO Glenn S. Phillips.

Referral transactions were not taken into consideration when calculating total transaction volume.

2019 Agent of the Year

Emily Carter Morris – Lake Whitney

Emily Carter Morris, winner of Lake Homes Realty Agent of the Year 2019 award.
Emily Carter Morris, the winner of Lake Home Realty’s Agent of the Year 2019 award, standing next to CEO Glenn Phillips and COO Doris Phillips.

Big Wave Award Winners

Justin Dyar – Lewis Smith Lake
Margaret Decker – Lake Oconee
Mike Goins – Lake Conroe
Nicole Anderson – Logan Martin Lake
Bruce Jones – Lake LBJ
Sandie & Freddie Hurley – Lake Hartwell
Doug Giesler – Lake Murray

Aqua Award Winners

Lisa Steele – Lake Allatoona
Chris Johnson – Lake Oconee
Wally Cawthon – Jackson Lake
Les and Bonnie Burleson – Lake Gatson
Glenn Fisher – Lake Hickory
Kyle Griner – Lake Oconee
Emily Carter Morris – Lake Whitney
Cat Thornton – Lake Murray
Brian Kincaid, II – Tellico Lake
Kim Clark – Lake Greenwood
Pam DeBlasio – Lake Livingston
Erica Wilson Vaughan – Lake Norman
Allison Adams – Lake Tuscaloosa
Terry Norton – Lake Wedowee
Angela VanHouten – Lake Martin
Jill Baugus – Lake Lanier
Linda Hanf – Lake Wallenpaupack
Terri Gates Mcilravy – Norris Lake
Jim Williams – Fort Loudon Lake
Deb Short – Dale Hollow Lake
Ty Miller – Weiss Lake
Jason Hightower – Lake Texoma
Michael Murphy – Lake Murray
Mary St. George – Canandaigua Lake
Tony Luna – Center Hill Lake
Stephanie Mueller – Cedar Creek Lake
Ardy Franssen – Lake Lanier
Vickie Melder – Lake Oconee
Carole Bryson – High Rock Lake
Trish Greer – Lake Norman
Rachelle McClard – Lake Hamilton
Carol Vandyke – Lake Marion
Roxanne Clemons – Lake Mitchell
John Franklin – Lake Martin
Sheila Howell – Deep Creek Lake
Connie Nealy – Lake Hartwell
Jill Botos – Richard B. Russell Lake
Kristie Anderson – Lake Marion
Daniel Burnside – Chickamauga Lake
Nancy Monts – Lake LBJ
Rebecca Brewer – Skiatook Lake

For a recap of Lake Home Realty’s 2019 Summit, read this article here.

2019 Lake Homes Realty Summit

The 2019 Lake Homes Realty Summit took place October 15 – 17 in Hoover, AL, at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Over 150 agents from across the United States participated in the event, making it the largest of its kind in the country. Attendees discussed the professional techniques required to market and sell lake homes and property effectively.

Zane Tarence, Guest Speaker and Managing Director of Founders Advisors.
Zane Tarence, Guest Speaker and Managing Director of Founders Advisors.

The event opened with remarks from Zane Tarence, Partner, and Managing Director of Founders Advisors. Tarence spoke on defending your business and increasing your talent level through the development of good habits and consistency.

On Wednesday, Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, opened the event with remarks on motion versus progress. Phillips contended that intense focus is the key to success in any business. By focusing on the essential elements of your business instead of the many mediocre things that usurp your attention, you can realize better results. Phillips then lead a panel on techniques in proper real estate pricing.

Roger Daviston, Guest Speaker and President of The Daviston Group.
Roger Daviston, Guest Speaker and President of The Daviston Group.

Roger Daviston, President of The Daviston Group, was a featured speaker and introduced the topic of establishing boundaries in your professional and personal life. All sales roles and indeed, life in general is about setting and supporting healthy boundaries. Daviston says that humility is the key to establishing boundaries by letting go of your agenda. You must humble yourself and realize that you have the right to say no, which provides you with more time and focus on your personal success.

Mark Griggs, Marketing Director of Lake Homes Realty.
Mark Griggs, Marketing Director of Lake Homes Realty.

Mark Griggs, Marketing Director of Lake Homes Realty, lead a panel of agents who provided insight into how each of them establishes boundaries with prospects and leads them to a sale. They discussed specific ways in which they handled difficult situations by setting boundaries while delivering sales.

Griggs then spoke on the marketing puzzle. He established the pieces of the puzzle that will continue to support the rapid growth of Lake Homes Realty. He then outlined the marketing tools his department has developed to increase efficiency and provide agents with more sales time.

Anoop Mishra, Guest Speaker and VP/Regional Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank Atlanta.
Anoop Mishra, Guest Speaker and VP/Regional Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank Atlanta.

Thursday, October 17, began with Glenn S. Phillips interviewing Anoop Mishra, Vice President and Regional Executive of the Birmingham Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Mishra told the attendees that we are presently experiencing a strong labor market with good consumer confidence. Points of concern are the recent slow-down in the real estate sector due to a lack of inventory attributable to the rise in construction costs connected to tariffs and a slight downturn in business confidence. There is some hesitancy as well by those with means who are concerned about the length of the current positive economic run. The fed sees no negative signs at this time and is prepared to reduce rates further if needed.

Awards were provided to outstanding agents based on their previous 12-month sales numbers. The Aqua Award is presented to Lake Homes Realty agents who close a minimum of $3.5 million and up to, but not including, $10 million in total transaction volume between September 1, 2018, and August 31, 2019. There was a total of 45 Aqua Award Winners.

The Big Wave Award is presented to Lake Homes Realty agents who closed $10 million or more in total transaction volume between September 1, 2018, and August 31, 2019. There were six winners of this prestigious award.

Emily Carter Morris, the winner of Lake Home Realty's Agent of the Year 2019 award, standing next to CEO Glenn Phillips and COO Doris Phillips.
Emily Carter Morris, the winner of Lake Home Realty’s Agent of the Year 2019 award, standing next to CEO Glenn Phillips and COO Doris Phillips.

Emily Carter Morris was awarded the Splash Award. The Splash Award recognizes the top Lake Homes Realty Agent based on a combination of sales and proper business management.

Linda Thach (right) helping Lake Home Specialist Nan Carter during an open space session.
Linda Thach (right) helping Lake Home Specialist Nan Carter during an open space session.

Linda Thach, Digital Marketing Manager of Lake Homes Realty, provided a presentation on three things you should do with your social media to grow your business and three things you should never do.

The event concluded with comments from Glenn S. Phillips summarizing the event and charging the attendees with moving forward armed with new knowledge gained.

Lake Homes Realty agents and staff pose for a group photo during the Summit.
Lake Homes Realty agents and staff pose for a group photo during the Summit.

Upon reflection on the event, Phillips said, “Our focus for this event was to analyze the state of the industry while looking forward to the factors that we will all face in the coming year. Our agents are experts in the sale of lake-based real estate; our task was to arm them with the necessary economic and market information needed to advise and service our clients effectively. We feel we accomplished that goal with this successful event.”