lake murray Archives

Making Waves With the Morrisons – A Lake Homes Realty Success Story

Posted on July 19, 2019July 19, 2019 Staff

Lake Homes Realty clients, The Morrisons with daughter and son-in-law, in front of new homes.

In 2018, Tricia and Ric Morrison decided it was time to sell their beloved home on Lake Marion and make a move to nearby Lexington, South Carolina to be closer to their daughter and son-in-law.

The pair began their search for a listing agent where most people do these days, online, and quickly discovered Lake Homes Realty/LakeHomes.com.

For two months, the Morrisons searched the site’s more than 65,000 properties and read about the company’s nontraditional way of approaching lake real estate by only employing agents who lived, worked and played in their local lake markets.

As Lake Marion residents for many years, Tricia and Ric were well aware that selling a property on the lake was unlike selling an off-lake property in many ways and that working with an agent who was also an area local would provide them a unique advantage to selling their home.

Ultimately, they enlisted the help of Lake Homes Realty agent Kristie Anderson.

“I’d sold one of their friend’s condos and was thrilled when they were referred to me,” said Anderson. “The Morrisons’ condo was right on the water, and I was confident we could get it sold in a timely manner and excited to get them closer to their family.”

Traditionally, lake properties stay on the market for extended periods of time. Much longer than off-lake properties because many of them serve as vacation or second homes. It’s not uncommon for lake listings to be on the market for more than a year in high-priced markets, or be taken off the MLS during the off season.

The Morrisons’ Lake Marion home sold in 210 days.

“Kristie has lived in the Lake Marion area all her life and could answer any question our prospective buyers had,” Tricia said. “If it weren’t for her lake-specific expertise, we wouldn’t have had the confidence we did that she was providing accurate and data-supported information to our buyers and us.”

During the process, Kristie connected the Morrisons with Doug Geisler, another Lake Homes Realty agent on Lake Murray, located near Lexington and their daughter.

“Kristie truly cares for her clients and wants the best for them. We knew Doug would be the same,” Tricia said.

“The first house I showed them was my neighbors’,” remembered Geisler. “It wasn’t a fit for them, but they thought it would be perfect for their daughter and her husband, and pretty soon I was working with Chelsea and Chris, too!”

After looking at a handful of resale properties, Tricia and Ric chose to purchase a new build in the Summer Lake community, which would allow them plenty of time to let Kristie sell their current residence and have their new one constructed.

Chelsea and Chris however, continued the hunt for their perfect home.

“They had just signed a six-month lease at their current residence, so I thought a new build might be a good option for them to consider,” Geisler said. “As luck would have it, they found a home plan they loved in the same neighborhood as Mom and Dad.”

Doug, Chris, and Chelsea kept their purchase a secret for nearly two months!

“Chelsea and Chris came to visit us to celebrate her birthday, and after we had the cake, she gave us a present to open,” said Tricia. “It was a framed picture of our lot, all graded and ready for our home to be built.”

Chelsea proceeds to give her mother a second picture, which showed off the lot she and her husband had decided to buy.

“Then a third picture showed both lots together, and their sign said “HI NEIGHBORS,” exclaimed Tricia. “Doug had kept their secret, and helped them in buying the lot next to ours to build their dream home!”

The Morrison’s Lake Marion property and their new build purchase closed just two days apart, and the couple moved into their new home the day after closing on it.

“Everything worked out so perfectly. Had their home sold any faster, they would have been homeless,” joked Anderson. “I don’t think I’ve ever missed my clients as much as I miss the Morrisons. It was such a joy working with them.”

For the Morrisons, the feeling is mutual.

“Our Lake Homes Realtors® definitely took away all the stress in the personal and legal aspects of selling and buying our homes,” the Morrison’s said. “They both went above and beyond, and we can’t thank them enough for helping us work out our timeline in selling our lake house and the purchase of our new home.”

Today both couples are living their dreams side-by-side, enjoying family dinners, becoming part of the community and spending time on the lake.

5 Things Only Lake Murray Natives Would Know

Posted on May 23, 2016February 27, 2020 Staff

person kaying on lake murray, south carolina

Lake Murray is a reservoir stretching across 50,000 acres in upstate South Carolina.

Since its creation in 1930, Lake Murray has become the epicenter of the region, with four counties and several communities all possessing ties to the lake, including the state capitol, Columbia, only 25 miles away.

In addition to providing hydroelectric power for the region, Lake Murray has quickly grown into one of the region’s premier recreational destinations, one you know to be among your favorite places: you also refer to it as home.

7 Remarkable Lake Homes You Can Buy Today

Posted on April 18, 2016June 6, 2019 Staff

Some of the remarkable lake homes on this list are giant and luxurious while others are tiny (No really, we have a “tiny” lake house for sale), but all of them have unique qualities that make them stand-out properties for buyers.

1. Have Your Own Peninsula on Lake Murray

A lake house on its own peninsula that has a huge rock staircase that goes right into the lake?

Believe it or not, this Lake Murray lake home with six bedrooms, six full baths, and two half-baths, has water on three sides.

It also features a master bath that

extends the full width of the house, as well as a Gunite pool.

Check out the photos and see all the crazy stuff this house has to offer for only $1,900,000.

2. Tiny Lake Home For Under $200,000 In Tennessee

Think you can’t afford a lake house? This tiny lake home on Center Hill Lake might prove you wrong. For under $200,000, you can have this 1-bedroom, 1-bath Tennessee lake home with a humongous deck and gorgeous lake views.

3. Elysium at Lake Murray

This home lives up to its fascinating name. Elysium has five bedrooms, four baths, and almost 5,000 square feet of luxurious living space. One thing that makes this South Carolina lake house particularly desirable is its construction. According to Doug Geisler of Lake Homes Realty, “[Elysium] is the most solidly constructed home I have ever put my feet in. You won’t hear a single squeak as you walk its floors or up its stairs. It is quite amazing.”

4. Log Cabin Paradise on Cherokee Lake

Cherokee Lake real estate doesn’t get better than this! For only $695,000, this gorgeous lake home has five bedrooms, 4.5 baths, five garages, and a unique elevated tower with two levels of windows. Four balconies and decks all face the lake and the 400 feet of dockable waterfront shoreline on this 2-acre lot. There are also multiple fireplaces, custom carvings, and stained glass windows in this amazing house.

Video of Cherokee Lake Home

5. “The Castle” at Lewis Smith Lake

With its impressive size and high rock walls, this Smith Lake lake home is affectionately known as “Smith Lake Castle.” Located on 18 acres overlooking the main channel, this four-bedroom, 3.5-bath home is one of the most interesting properties you will ever see anywhere.

For starters, the master suite covers an entire floor. There is extensive custom tile work, a gourmet kitchen, a beautiful solarium, and dozens of windows. If that’s not enough, there is also a workshop with a five-car garage.

6. Off the Grid on Norris Lake

This romantic lakefront home is located on Norris Lake about 50 miles from Knoxville, Tenn. What makes this three-bedroom, three-bath lake home special is the state-of-the-art wood stove that delivers high-efficiency heat, and its unique lake-drawn water system. A wonderful bonus is the home’s convenient proximity to a 24,000-acre wildlife management area.

7. Stunning Lake Sinclair Lake Home for Under $600,000

This property stands out in almost every way. Landscaped grounds will make you feel like you are in Augusta, Georgia, instead of at Lake Sinclair. A gazebo-style screened dining room, and full-size lakefront deck that spans the main level, will give you perfect waterfront views whether your family is enjoying a leisure dinner or afternoon drinks. An outdoor kitchen, outdoor stacked-stone fireplace, in-ground saltwater heated spa, and surround-sound speakers inside and out will make sure you never want to leave! This gorgeous home has everything you could ask for in a lake house.

The Joys of SEC Football and Lake Life

Posted on August 30, 2015June 4, 2019 Staff

With less than one week ’til the kickoff of college football, it’s time to take a look at two common passions in the South: SEC football and lake life.

With regional temperatures generally staying warm well into the fall, and many lakes in close proximity to college campuses, it makes for a natural fit!

Whether you are having family and friends over to party and tailgate at the lake home, or attending the game and returning to the lake home as your out-of-town getaway, the lake will definitely enhance your experience.

University of Alabama – Lake Tuscaloosa

Located only 20 minutes from Bryant-Denny Stadium and Alabama’s campus, this reservoir features 177 miles of shoreline and serves as the main water supply for the cities of Tuscaloosa and Northport.

Its close proximity to these cities and clear waters also make it a popular spot for recreational activities such as swimming, boating and fishing.

Nick Saban, coach of the Alabama football team even has a house on Lake Tuscaloosa. He is known invite his players out to occasionally enjoy the use of his boat and jet skis!

Auburn University – Lake Martin

Jordan-Hare Stadium and the Auburn campus is conveniently located less than 1 hour away from gorgeous Lake Martin, which boasts more than 700 miles of shoreline.

In addition to pristine waters and luxurious houses, the lake boasts natural attractions like Chimney Rock, as well as numerous local restaurants.

Search the web for Lake Martin rentals, and you will find no shortage of properties promoting “Auburn Football weekends on the Lake” and “Auburn Football Weekends.”

University of South Carolina – Lake Murray

USC, located in Columbia, SC, is minutes away from the fishing and recreational hotspot that is Lake Murray.

The lake, which has more than 500 miles of shoreline, can reach depths of up to 200 feet.

One draw for Lake Murray is the consistency of its water levels, fluctuating only 4 feet between the summer and winter seasons.

Another perk of lake is the convenience to Columbia, which is the home of the Riverbanks Zoo, Broadway shows, concerts, and of course, the USC Gamecocks and Williams-Brice Stadium!

vol navy tailgating — Photo courtesy of http://www.tailgatingideas.com/

University of Tennessee – Tennessee River/Fort Loudoun Lake

UT’s Neyland Stadium is located 30 minutes from Fort Loudoun Lake and sits directly on the shores of the Tennessee River.

With almost 400 miles of shoreline, there is a lake property to match anyone’s needs, and if there is not, you can even look for a houseboat to live directly on the water!

UT fans take tailgating to a whole new level, so much so that it has spawned its own title, known as “sailgating.”

That’s right, a group of super fans and boating enthusiasts, known as the Vol Navy, arrive by boat and tie up outside of Neyland Stadium to celebrate with traditional tailgating activities on their boats and on the three-mile riverwalk.

The bottom line is, no matter where you go in the SEC footprint, you’re bound to be near a beautiful body of water.

While most people think of a lake home as a great spring and summer getaway, it can also function as a one-of-a-kind tailgating experience on the weekends during the fall and winter months!