Nestled on 26 private acres along Smith Lake, this breathtaking 8,805-square-foot mansion is listed for $4.995 million. Beyond its stunning design, the estate offers an astounding collection of amenities, including a gourmet chef’s kitchen, a private boat dock, a game room, and a 1,216-square-foot RV shop, all with incredible lake views.
“The home is a rare balance of grandeur and comfort equally suited for family living, large gatherings or quiet retreats,” said listing agent Justin Dyar of Lake Homes Realty. – AL.com
Texas lakefront property is booming! Cedar Creek Lake, just an hour southeast of Dallas, is one of the state’s hottest markets, with prices ranging from $6,000 for undeveloped lots to nearly $19 million for sprawling compounds. The total value of Texas lake property has skyrocketed to $12.38 billion, a significant increase from last year. With over 1,100 active listings, Cedar Creek Lake is now the seventh-largest lake market in Texas.
While listing activity is up, the pace and psychology of lake-home buying have shifted since the pandemic, says Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty.
Lake-home purchases can now take up to two years, compared to the 90-day turnaround typical of primary residences. “Buyers aren’t thinking of this as a real estate investment. Buying a lake home is a lifestyle choice.” – Candy’s Dirt
Sunsets may be one of the universe’s most mesmerizing creations. They turn the skies from beautiful blue into vibrant pinks, oranges, and reds, smears of purple streaked with elongated tendrils of sunbeams.
After a long day of swimming, boating, fishing, and grilling, there’s nothing more captivating or more calming than the sun setting over a glass-smooth lake. And no matter how many days you spend staring out toward the horizon from your lake home, each day brings a sunset completely unlike the day before.
Hundreds of lakes across the country roll out the red carpets for out-of-this-world Fourth of July festivities.
Family-friendly activities include spectacular fireworks displays, poker runs, boat parades, and concerts by local artists.
Even if your lake doesn’t put on a grand show, most permit lake homeowners to privately shoot fireworks from their docks, decks, and backyards. Plus, no matter the degree to which you party for patriotism, at the lake, you can always count on there being good ol’ home-cooked food for the soul.
We all lead busy lives, and sometimes it’s hard to find time for quality family bonding.
That’s not the case at the lake. In fact, all the time you spend at the lake can be time spent with family, be it with those related to you by blood or the family members you choose to share the lake with.
At the lake, family time isn’t necessarily characterized by sharing stories around the dinner table, though that’s certainly one option. No, for most lake homeowners, family moments shared at the lake take place around fire pits and grills, on floaties and rope swings, and in the kitchen while the summer showers roll through.
From boating to paddleboarding to fishing, there are plenty of things to do on the lake. However, if you need a break from water activities, going on a picnic or lounging lakeside in your backyard is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the picturesque lake views.
If staying active is more your style, hiking or taking a stroll around the lake is a great option. Additionally, it’s a fantastic opportunity to observe wildlife while taking in the natural landscape.
Ask any lake homeowner, or any lake lover for that matter, what their favorite memories are, and you’re guaranteed to hear a litany of wonderful things that happened at the lake. That’s because life’s best moments are made at the lake.
The lake is where grandfathers teach their grandkids to fish, where favorite uncles grill the best hamburgers, and where sons and daughters learn to swim.
It’s the perfect place to gather in celebration of birthdays, holidays, and milestones, like graduations and baby showers.
And the lake is where s’mores are shared, where minnows are turned into pets, and where some of life’s important lessons are learned.
Memories made at the lake are more than special; they are priceless.
It’s all these things and more that make lake living so worthwhile. They are why buying a lake home is more than a real estate transaction; it’s about attaining a lifestyle—the lake experience.
If you’re ready to invest in your best future, let us — the lake people — help make your dream a reality.
This article was originally published on July 31, 2019.
Lake houses are perfect for creating lasting family memories and delivering pure relaxation. Life feels slower, stress fades, and some even say it adds years to your life. That’s part of why my friend Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty in Birmingham, Alabama, notes that purchasing a lake home often takes around two years—much longer than the average homebuying timeline.
But once the keys are in hand, vacation home owners embrace every moment of that laid-back lake lifestyle.
According to housing insiders, homebuyers in today’s market are opting for smaller homes that are packed with amenities, such as dog parks and park-inspired trail systems. It’s all about the lifestyle, especially when it comes to lake real estate.
“They’re not buying it because they think it’ll make them money,” he (Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty) said. “It’s a lifestyle choice.” – CandysDirt.com
For those in the Tennessee Valley, summer often marks the start of lake season—relaxing weekends on the water, family cookouts, and for many, the hope of owning a second home on Chickamauga or Nickajack. But in 2025, that hope is running up against economic uncertainty.
Although there were early signs that lake home sales might bounce back this year, the national market has slowed—and Tennessee is no exception.
Missouri’s lake home and lot market is experiencing an unusual summer trend: high prices paired with hesitant buyers. According to a new report, economic uncertainty and rising interest rates have led to a recent slowdown in the state’s lakeside real estate activity.
Expectations are a part of everything in life. Real estate is not exempt from having expectations either. When selling your home, you might have certain expectations from your real estate agent in order to get your home sold. Glenn Phillips, Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, discusses the different things a seller might expect that don’t always help.
Open Houses: Typically, when it comes to lake real estate, the buyer is many miles away. They might even be in a completely different state. These buyers will schedule a showing to see that house if they are interested. An open house, on the other hand, typically attracts people who come by to view the house, usually without any intention to buy.
“Just Listed” postcards: Who would you be sending these to? You don’t really need to send them to your neighbors because they already live at the lake. It doesn’t logically make sense to send these across the country, but it makes the seller feel good when sending them out. That doesn’t inherently mean anything will come from it.
“Just Listed” social media: This is related to the “Just Listed” postcards. Not only that, but the algorithms don’t typically like these kinds of posts. If it shows up to an audience, it will more than likely show up on a family or friend’s feed.
“For Sale” signs: Most lake homebuyers start their search online. Going back to the first point, many buyers might not even live in the state you’re in, having a for sale sign doesn’t really help as much as you think.
A lot of the time, an agent will do these things out of habit or to make their sellers happy. However, that doesn’t mean it will sell the home. If you’d like to discuss these topics or anything else with an agent, please contact one today at https://www.lakehomes.com/.
The lakefront real estate market in Alabama has shown substantial growth compared to the spring of 2024. According to the most recent market report from Lake Homes Realty, Alabama’s total market value has surged to $1.52 billion, up from $1.39 billion in the previous spring.
Stephanie Johnston of Lake Homes Realty points out that Wilson Lake and Pickwick Lake are standout markets in the state, ranking sixth and seventh, respectively. Wilson Lake currently boasts 170 lakefront properties on the market, priced between $24,000 and $8 million, with an average home price of $946,996. Pickwick Lake offers 90 properties ranging from $8,000 to $2.95 million, with an average home price of $431,801. This positive trajectory in property values and inventory indicates a strong and growing interest in Alabama’s lakefront real estate market.
“The new Lake Real Estate Market Report from Lake Homes Realty shows Alabama’s total market at $1.52 billion, up from $1.39 billion in the spring of 2024,” said Stephanie Johnston of Lake Homes Realty, who focuses on Wilson Lake, Shoal Creek, Elk River, and Pickwick Lake. – 265 Today
![[AL.com] Stunning $4.9M mansion on 26 acres on Smith Lake is ‘one of a kind’](https://www.lakehomes.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/25-1868-1_20250912131334-1240x550.jpeg)
![[CandysDirt.com] You Can Still Get a $6K Lot at Cedar Creek Lake — or a $19M Retreat With Room for 30](https://www.lakehomes.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/shutterstock_683889448-min-1240x550.jpg)
![[CandysDirt.com] You Can Enjoy Lake Life and Wine Country Less Than Two Hours From Dallas](https://www.lakehomes.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/shutterstock_2547393327-min-1240x550.jpg)
![[CandysDirt.com] What Buyers Want in 2025: From Dog Parks to Downsizing, Amenities and Affordability Are Key](https://www.lakehomes.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-brett-sayles-1322182-1240x550.jpg)
![[Hamilton County Herald] Inflation, tariffs chill market for lake homes](https://www.lakehomes.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/pexels-kelly-1179532-2519392-1240x550.jpg)
![[Missouri Business Alert] Lake real estate market cools amid elevated prices, economic uncertainty](https://www.lakehomes.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/shutterstock_1489340384-1-1240x550.jpg)
![[265 Today] Lake real estate property prices grow over last spring](https://www.lakehomes.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/pexels-pixabay-280216-1240x550.jpg)
