In the Pointe Sixteen community on Smith Lake, a prestigious waterfront estate has been sold for $4.345 million, setting a new record as the most expensive home ever sold in the area. Previously, the highest price recorded was $3.6 million. This Craftsman-style residence, crafted by luxury home builder Casey Wheeler of Wheeler Homes in 2023, sprawls across 9,470 square feet on a generous 1.82-acre lot. Boasting seven bedrooms and seven and a half bathrooms, along with a spacious 3,146-square-foot basement and a five-stall garage, this property is truly impressive. Its address is situated at 351 County Rd 2014 in Crane Hill, Alabama. The sellers were represented by Justin Dyar from Lake Homes Realty while J.W. Hightower from the same agency assisted the buyers – who were already proud owners of real estate on Smith Lake.
“Smith Lake continues to be one of our most popular lakes nationwide. We congratulate Justin and Casey on this incredible achievement, which stands as a testament to their dedication and vision in shaping the luxury market on Lewis Smith Lake. – Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty from Bama Buzz
When you are buying or selling, there may be terms thrown around, such as ” Highest” or “Best” when referring to offers. In reality, it’s not an auction. It’s actually the furthest thing from it. Lake Homes Realty’s CEO, Glenn Phillips, breaks down the different meaning meanings behind these terms.
Not An Auction!
Highest $ May Not Win: The highest is strictly just a number. This does not ensure whoever offers the highest amount will be the one purchasing the property. The seller is the one who decides who they want to do a transaction with.
Seller Selects Their Buyer: When it comes down to the transaction, it is fully up to the seller to decide how and if they want to proceed.
Look To “De-risk The Deal”– Remove the probability the seller might become uncomfortable with the offer.
Cash Versus Mortgage: Over half of the transactions done at Lake Homes Realty are made in cash. That doesn’t mean mortgages don’t happen. In the instances when a mortgage is in play, there is always the chance it won’t go through. There could even be an appraisal gap. Using cash is one less risk.
Timeframe Might Be Important: A seller could want to move very quickly or they might not have a time constraint. Utilizing the time frame and the nuances that come with it can help to make your offer the best.
Size Of Earnest Money: As a seller, seeing someone with a bigger size of earnest money can lead the seller to think they have more intent on wanting to purchase the home.
Fewer Contingencies: It’s not just the mortgage aspect. There could be home inspections, HOA fees, and a whole list of other things. If you are able to eliminate any of those extra contingencies, that can remove the possibility that the seller is uncomfortable.
Simplicity: If things become too complex, it can lead to the seller becoming confused, which, in turn, leads to the seller saying no.
When it really comes down to it, the “Highest and Best” offer can be great but can also hold a lot more nuance than people might realize. If you still have questions regarding which ways to navigate offers, talk with an agent at https://www.lakehomes.com/. They would be more than happy to help you along your real estate journey.
For lakefront property owners, maintaining a beautiful landscape often means battling excessive water consumption, frequent mowing, and constant upkeep. But what if you could have a lush, thriving outdoor space that enhances biodiversity, conserves water, and requires minimal maintenance? Wild landscaping, often called native or meadow landscaping, is an eco-friendly alternative that replaces traditional grass lawns with native plants, wildflowers, and ground covers suited to the local environment. Whether you swap small lawn patches for pollinator-friendly flowers or fully convert your property into a natural oasis, wild landscaping provides a sustainable way to enjoy a scenic and thriving lakeside retreat. Here are six regionally tailored landscaping alternatives to consider for your lakefront property.
A wildflower meadow offers a vibrant, low-maintenance solution for property owners in the Eastern lake regions, such as the Finger Lakes or Adirondacks. Native flowers like black-eyed Susans, purple coneflowers, and milkweed attract bees and butterflies while thriving in the region’s moderate rainfall. When establishing a meadow, planting a mix of seeds in the fall or early spring is best to ensure they receive full sun and well-drained soil. Once the plants establish strong roots, minimal watering is needed, making this option water-efficient and visually stunning.
Photo courtesy of James Scott – The Garden Company via Homes & Gardens
Woodland Ground Covers
Lake properties in the Mid-Atlantic, including Deep Creek Lake and Smith Mountain Lake, often feature partially wooded areas ideal for native ground covers. Instead of maintaining grass in shady spots, consider planting ferns, wild ginger, and foamflower, which flourish with minimal care. These plants reduce soil erosion, suppress weeds, and provide a lush, green understory. To establish a ground cover, plant in early spring and use natural mulch to retain moisture while reducing the need for irrigation.
Southeastern lakes like those in Georgia and the Carolinas experience hot summers, making drought-resistant landscaping essential. Native prairie grasses like switchgrass, little bluestem, and muhly grass offer a hardy, ornamental alternative to traditional lawns. Once established, these grasses require little to no watering and add movement and texture to the landscape. For best results, plant in late spring and trim back in early winter to encourage new growth.
The Northern Great Lakes region, encompassing areas like Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, is home to a cooler climate with naturally occurring boreal forests. Native ferns, blueberry bushes, and wild columbine thrive here with minimal intervention. These plants provide seasonal interest, from spring blooms to fall foliage, while supporting local wildlife. To create a boreal-inspired landscape, plant in early summer and allow natural leaf litter to act as mulch, reducing watering needs and enhancing soil health.
A rain garden is a practical and aesthetically pleasing solution for lakefront homes in the Pacific Northwest, such as those near Washington’s Lake Chelan or Oregon’s Crater Lake. Rain gardens use native plants like sedges, Pacific bleeding heart, and Douglas aster to absorb excess water and prevent runoff. Planted in a shallow depression, these gardens filter pollutants and enhance local biodiversity. To establish one, choose a location where water naturally collects, amend the soil for good drainage, and plant in early fall for strong root development before winter rains.
Lakefront properties in Texas, including those around Lake Travis and Possum Kingdom Lake, face intense heat and drought conditions. Xeriscaping—landscaping that relies on drought-tolerant plants—provides a resilient alternative. Native succulents like agave and yucca and hardy shrubs such as Texas sage and mountain laurel create a stunning, low-water landscape. To maximize efficiency, use gravel or decomposed granite as mulch and group plants with similar water needs. Watering should be minimal to occasional deep soaking during prolonged dry periods.
By embracing wild landscaping tailored to your lake region, you can create a low-maintenance, water-conscious outdoor space that enhances the natural beauty of your property. Whether incorporating a wildflower meadow in the East, a rain garden in the Pacific Northwest, or drought-resistant xeriscaping in Texas, each approach fosters biodiversity while reducing environmental impact. Making the shift away from traditional lawns conserves water and encourages a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem that enhances your lakefront retreat for years to come. For more gardening and landscaping inspiration, visit Lake Home Lifestyles.
Selling a lake home comes with several questions, but some are better than others. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, discusses 5 questions to avoid when selling a lake home.
“How many views did my listing get online?” The truth is that there’s no right answer to this question. If you get plenty of views, you start to think the websites aren’t good or the buyers aren’t serious. However, if you aren’t getting any, you’re still upset since there’s no traffic. The right amount of views is the one that leads to a transaction. The real reason sellers ask this is to know why they aren’t getting a transaction. Most of the time, if the property is marketed well, the home isn’t properly priced.
“Should we counter-offer?” In negotiation, you always counter-offer. Not giving a counteroffer eliminates any chance of a negotiation. Counter-offers aren’t always about price; they can include extra property or furniture. Work through the negotiation to keep the discussion going until you reach a transaction.
“Can you co-list with my relative?” What this question really means is that you want to hire an agent to do the work and split the check with your relative. If you don’t feel your agent is worth the money, don’t hire them.
“Where is your office?” Office location for lake agents isn’t important. Most lake home buyers come from cities or states away and don’t want to come into town to look at an office. Lake home buyers would rather look at the house than go to an office.
“Does your brokerage have a lot of agents?” This is more of a filler question when interviewing agents. Instead, ask them how they differentiate themselves from the other agents to be successful.
Asking your agent the right questions can make a world of difference when selling lake homes. Visit lakehomes.com to connect with expert lake agents who are ready to guide you to a successful transaction.
Lake home sellers use some common phrases that may end up costing them money. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, discusses 4 things lake home sellers say that could backfire.
“Let’s leave room for negotiations.” No matter what price you set for your house, the buyer will always try to meet you somewhere between your price and their price. Additionally, appropriately priced homes sell quickly and don’t sit on the market. Intentionally overpricing causes frustration and costs you money by having your home sit on the market.
“We can reduce the price later.” Lake Homes Realty data suggests that overpriced homes don’t get offers and sit on the market. Overpriced homes also cause contention with your agent, as you believe they aren’t doing their job well. Once you start reducing your price, you’re training buyers to offer lower than the list price.
“This is the price I need so I can…” Often, sellers price their home with the intention of paying for a trip, debt, or some other expense. However, this has nothing to do with what the market says. Buyers don’t care about what you want to buy with the transaction money. Your home will only sell for what the market says it’s worth, not what you need to pay for something else.
“I really don’t have to sell.” Listing a home costs everyone involved time and money. If you don’t have to sell, then don’t. Playing around with the market costs you and other people a lot of time and money.
These common phrases often cost sellers extra time and money. Selling a lake home is a business transaction, so you should treat it like one. Visit lakehomes.com to connect with expert lake agents ready to guide you through lake real estate.
When you’re trying to find a real estate agent, you want to ensure you’re getting the best representation possible. Glenn Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, discusses a few things agents believe aren’t really true.
“I work at the largest brokerage in the area.” Agents working for a large local brokerage are working alongside their competitors. Large brokerages make agents feel comfortable by bringing in a large number of agents. Large brokerages don’t make a difference for consumers, as their home gets listed no matter what.
“My listings appear on thousands of websites.” Homes listed by any agent in any market across the country are syndicated to thousands of websites. Unless the property is being hidden and not advertised on the internet, it will appear on thousands of websites.
“I earn stock in my publicly traded brokerage.” This is a common tactic for retention and recruiting agents. However, you can invest in the brokerage yourself if it’s publicly traded.
“The ‘serious’ clients will leave a message.” People don’t want to leave messages anymore. If they get sent to voicemail, they’ll keep calling around until someone picks up. Great agents answer the phone even if it means dealing with spam.
Like anybody else, agents often believe things they do work when they don’t. Watching out for these sayings can help you find the best agent for you. If you’re looking to buy or sell, visit lakehomes.com to connect with expert agents who are ready to help you through the process.
On Lake Homes Lifestyles, we’ve written extensively about the positive effects of lake living on mental health. Researchers agree that living on or near the water promotes the Blue Mind Effect, a meditative state that is characterized by a sense of calm, peace, and tranquility. This effect is believed to be a result of the soothing sounds and sights of water, which can reduce stress and anxiety, increase serotonin levels, and boost creativity. However, according to a report by the National Association of REALTORS®, mental health wellness goes beyond the Blue Mind Effect or simply enjoying oneself at the lake. Home remodeling, a multi-billion dollar industry, is shown to contribute to homeowners’ overall sense of happiness. The report calculated factors such as the homeowner’s sense of accomplishment, such as completing a challenging project or seeing a vision come to life, and increased enjoyment into a ranking system called the Joy Score.
Joy Score Methodology
The ranking system of 1 through 10, known as the Joy Score, is calculated by combining the share of those who were happy and those who were satisfied when seeing their completed project and dividing the share by 10. This score measures the emotional satisfaction and happiness homeowners experience after completing a remodeling project. Higher scores indicate greater joy. – NAR Remodeling Impact Report
Here are the top interior remodeling projects with the highest Joy Score.
Whether you’re looking to update your dreary interiors with a fresh coat of color or spruce up a room with a lake-inspired accent wall, painting is one of the simplest home remodel projects. Many homeowners choose to tackle paint projects on their own, while others hire professional help. Nonetheless, this task ranks highest out of all projects, with a Joy Score of 10 points. So before you think about putting off painting that room, the joy and satisfaction that comes along with it might be a well-deserved return on investment. Here’s the Joy Score data analysis for the home interior paint project:
Paint Entire Interior Home
88% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
83% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
65% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
Paint One Interior Room
73% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
63% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
67% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
Add a New Home Office
Photo courtesy of Photo By: Kaboompics.com via Pexels
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many office spaces became empty as many people were required to quarantine and work from home. This shift gave way to the rise of home office remodel projects. Even today, years after the height of the pandemic, these renovations and additions remain popular as homeowners strive to find a balance between work and home. Adding an office improves a home’s functionality and liveability and contributes to the homeowner’s overall satisfaction and happiness. Here’s the complete Joy Score data analysis for adding a new home office:
91% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
73% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
55% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
A once immaculately smooth hardwood floor will eventually lose its luster and become dull, riddled with scratches and scuff marks. Whether refinishing existing floors or adding brand-new ones, this renovation project is one of the most common for lake homeowners.
While costs vary depending on factors such as labor, size of the space, and materials used, replenishing hardwood floors typically have the highest percentage cost recovered. Moreover, 22% of REALTORS® recommend this remodel project before selling. Homeowners have reported tremendous satisfaction upon completing the project. Here’s the Joy Score data analysis for hardwood floor remodels:
Hardwood Flooring Refinish
100% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
64% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
64% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
New Wood Flooring
90% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
77% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
61% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
Whether adding more practical storage solutions or remodeling an entirely new space, redoing a closet can completely transform your home and your entire daily routine. 46% of homeowners reported that this upgrade provided better functionality and livability to the house, leading to less stress and greater satisfaction and happiness. The NAR ranks closet renovation with a 10 on the Joy Score scale. Here’s a complete Joy Score data analysis for closet renovation:
79% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
61% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
61% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
According to the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), 89% of single-family homes in the U.S. are under-insulated. That said, insulation upgrades are one of the top projects homeowners turn to for home cost-saving measures. Furthermore, home insulation upgrades are among the top projects that yield the highest percentage of recovered costs. Regarding emotional satisfaction, insulation upgrade projects have a Joy Score of 10 and round out our countdown at number five. Here is the Joy Score data analysis for insulation upgrades:
85% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home since completing the project
62% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they’re at home
69% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
Whether you’re tackling a straightforward project or a complete renovation overhaul, there is an emotional aspect that impacts the lake homeowner’s mental wellness. Are you ready to tackle your lake home remodel project? Check out these home improvement articles and tips HERE.
In this article, we included only the top 5 projects with the highest Joy Scores. Here is the entire list of projects on the Joy Score scale:
Want to learn more about the Joy Score? Access the full report HERE.
If you haven’t heard it by now, the first impression is the only impression in the world of real estate. And there’s only a tiny window of opportunity to impress potential buyers when selling a lake home.
A savvy seller should be prepared to “WOW” prospects within the first 15 seconds of them arriving at the property. Stick to this checklist of things to do before putting your listing on the market, and you’ll build a solid foundation on which to sell your home.
One of the first things you need to do before listing your lake home is to hire a real estate agent. Be sure to enlist someone with localized expertise, in-depth market knowledge, and an extensive professional network. An agent with trusted, quality connections around town, such as buyers’ agents, professional photographers, home stagers, and home inspectors, can help simplify the home selling process.
While most people associate home inspections with home-buying, there are advantages to getting a home inspected before putting it on the market. Your agent should be able to suggest obvious repairs for you to make around the house. However, a professional home inspector can provide nuanced details of every nook and cranny in your home, including any hidden problems.
After the inspector has inspected your lake home, it’ll provide insight into how much repairs will cost. Lake home maintenance is often more expensive than off-lake homes, so be prepared for a potentially higher price tag. You can rectify every single problem or tackle the big projects and leave minor fixes for the new owners. Either way, it’s best to be proactive about major expenses rather than reactive.
Buyers like to ask a lot of questions, and rightfully so. Ensure all relevant documentation and paperwork are ready to present should any questions arise. Documents include the house deed, appliance warranties, instruction manuals, utility bills, title reports, dock permits, etc.
Your real estate agent will need access to your home nearly 24/7 to show off the property. So unless you plan on sitting at home all day waiting for potential buyers, get the agent some keys or passcodes.
Sadly, you’ll need to take down the baby pictures and remove the trophies on the mantle. While it is still technically your home, it shouldn’t look like it to potential buyers. By neutralizing everything with your personal stamp on it, you allow buyers to envision themselves in the home. Remember to clean out the closets to make them look as spacious as possible. Consider renting a storage unit to keep all the extra clutter in. Or, if you would rather remove old junk yourself, garage sales are a great way to have strangers clear your house out for you.
Now that you’ve removed unnecessary clutter and personal items, clean everything. Patch up any holes in the walls, scrub between the tiles, and focus on the bathrooms and kitchen for a whole day. Don’t forget about tackling forgotten-about spaces like baseboards, banisters, and windows. Your house should sparkle once you’ve used all the bleach you own and fluffed out every pillow. Remember that you’ll have to work to keep it that way.
Staging a home aims to help potential buyers envision the property as their own. The stager will use design and conceptualization techniques to maximize your home’s strengths and downplay the weaknesses.
True-first impressions happen curbside, so be sure to spruce up the front and backyard of your home. Make the front door more attractive by adding new house numbers and painting them to increase visibility. Adding string lights to a personal dock can be a great way to set your lake home apart from all the others. And be sure to remove any kids’ or pets’ toys from the backyard.
Professional MLS photos are still imperative for any real estate listing. According to the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, all home buyers used the Internet to search for a home, with 41% stating that photos were the most valuable content. In addition, 39% found detailed property information as the second-most valuable content on the web, so be sure to provide clear and accurate information about your lake home or property. Virtual, 3-D video tours are gaining traction as a popular tool for home buyers, allowing for an engaging content source that can be shared on websites and social media.
Nothing can ruin a home sale quite like sticker shock. An inflated listing price can quickly put a bad taste in buyers’ mouths, and price drops come with their own consequences. So, when setting the asking price, be sure to consult a lake market expert. And always remember: buyers don’t care what you need for the home; they only care about what the home is actually worth.
As a seller, it’s important to remember that every move you make matters. It’s your job to convince buyers that your property is worth investing in. By checking off every item on this to-do list before putting your listing on the market, you’ll increase your chances of a quick and successful sale.
Heading into 2025, you might consider buying or selling a lake home. Glenn S. Phillips, CEO of Lake Homes Realty, shares 5 helpful reminders about lake real estate in 2025.
Price Includes Location. Many lake home buyers, particularly first-time buyers, don’t realize the impact of the lake location on price. You may not be able to get the same amount of house at the lake as you would in your neighborhood because of the location.
“Sellable” Inventory is Limited. Over the last several months, the number of homes listed for sale has increased, and there’s also a lot of demand. However, since these homes have been sitting on the market, they aren’t appropriately priced. Many sellers are listing at aspirational prices to get a lottery ticket price. This means “sellable,” or appropriately priced, inventory is actually limited.
Prices Are Roughly At Peak. Throughout 2024, price appreciation became fairly limited. Lake home prices aren’t expected to significantly rise or drop.
Discretionary Product. Nobody has to buy a lake home for shelter. Unlike typical residential property, buyers can wait until they find what they want. This is also true for sellers. Lake home sellers generally aren’t in a rush to sell, so they can hold onto the property longer.
Niche Expert Agents Matter. Lake homes come with different contingencies that primary residential properties don’t have. Additionally, discretionary lake home buyers come from cities and states away. Expert lake agents can navigate this market and expose homes to nationwide buyers.
Lake real estate can be a tricky market to navigate and understand. With these tips, you’ll be better prepared to buy or sell your lake home in 2025. Visit lakehomes.com to connect with expert lake agents who are ready to help you navigate this market.
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