Donna Dunevant Recognized as “Best Real Estate Agent” and “Best Real Estate Company” for 2026

Lake Homes Realty is proud to celebrate Donna Dunevant for winning gold for Best Real Estate Agent and silver for Best Real Estate Company for 2026 in the local community “Best Of Person County” awards featured by The Courier-Times / Person County Life.

This recognition reflects Donna’s dedication to her clients, deep knowledge of the local Hyco Lake and Mayo Lake markets, and longstanding commitment to serving buyers and sellers throughout the community. Known for her professionalism, responsiveness, and personalized approach, Donna has built a reputation for helping clients confidently navigate every stage of the real estate process.

Community-voted awards like this are especially meaningful because they represent the trust and appreciation of the people who know and work with local professionals every day. Being selected as the area’s Best Real Estate Agent highlights the positive impact Donna continues to make through her service and relationships.

At Lake Homes Realty, we are honored to have Donna as part of our team and grateful for the passion and expertise she brings to her clients and community.

Please join us in congratulating Donna Dunevant on this well-deserved achievement.

Learn More About Donna Dunevant, REALTOR®

Donna is an award-winning real estate professional of over 10 years on Hyco Lake, NC. She serves as a REALTOR® for both Lake Mayo and Hyco Lake, where she currently resides.

After a successful career as a business owner, her passion for the lake lifestyle led her to pursue real estate. Her entrepreneurial background drives her strong personal values: a hard work ethic, attention to detail, and a commitment to customer service.

If you’re interested in buying or selling on Hyco Lake or Lake Mayo, NC, Donna is your go-to lake real estate expert.

[The Post and Courier Columbia] $2.75 million list price for updated Lake Murray retreat

Nestled on .62 acre, this stunning Lake Murray retreat is a true gem in South Carolina’s real estate market. The property, listed by Doug Giesler of Lake Homes Realty, boasts a beautifully updated residence built in 1999. Featuring two kitchens and two laundry rooms, a great room, a formal living room, a game room, and a pool, this home offers both comfort and convenience for its future owners. Doug Giesler’s expertise and detailed listing provide a glimpse into this exceptional property that combines serene lakefront living with modern amenities.

[Realtor.com] More Barn for Your Buck! Multigenerational Barndominiums That Offer Budget-Friendly Living for the Whole Family

If you’re dreaming of a unique home that perfectly accommodates multi-generational living, look no further than the expert guidance of Lacey Kilpatrick from Lake Homes Realty. Featured in a recent Realtor.com article, Lacey showcases a stunning barndominium—a stylish, spacious home that blends rustic charm with modern comfort, all within a budget-friendly range. See for yourself why barndominiums are becoming a growing trend.

[TheState.com] Here are Lexington County’s biggest home sales of 2025, including a new record

By Isis4563 – Own work, Public Domain, Wikimedia

In the dynamic world of real estate, understanding market conditions is key to making smart decisions, whether you’re buying or selling. As Michael Murphy, a broker with Lake Homes Realty, wisely points out:

“That’s where I’ve been coaching clients, is that even if they are spending 10 grand on the front-end, you’ll make it back on the back-end, and even make an extra 40.”

This sentiment highlights a crucial aspect of the current market: the significant return on investment that can come from making a property presentable. Murphy further elaborates, stating,

“I wouldn’t say it’s a buyer’s market, but it’s not a seller’s market either. There’s still a lack of inventory, but you can’t not have it presentable.”

This insightful perspective offers a valuable roadmap for anyone looking to enter or exit the real estate arena. It suggests that while inventory might be tight, the condition and appeal of a home are paramount.

[Crain’s Grand Rapids Business] Traverse City airport expansion fuels Northern Michigan vacation homes market

By Rachel Kramer – originally posted to Flickr as Lake Michigan / Sleeping Bear Dunes, CC BY 2.0

Real estate brokers report that the growth of Traverse City airport has contributed to a fourfold increase in waterfront home sales over the past seven years. This upward trend is anticipated to continue as the airport prepares for a $120 million expansion scheduled for 2026.

“Glenn Phillips, of Lake Homes Realty, said he expects sellers will begin to price properties more reasonably in 2026 and beyond as they realize the COVID-19 era prices “aren’t real anymore.” ” – Crain’s Grand Rapids Business

[The Banner Press] What Agents Think You Need to Know About the 2026 Real Estate Market

Photo by RDNE Stock project

As we look ahead to 2026, optimism is cautiously rising among real estate professionals despite the unpredictable housing market of 2025. A recent survey by Clever Offers reveals that 51% of realtors expect the coming year to bring better opportunities for both buyers and sellers, while 49% predict conditions will remain the same or worsen. Many agents are hopeful for more affordable homes and lower mortgage rates. Yet, nearly all acknowledge that economic uncertainties will continue to pose significant challenges, with over half anticipating difficulties in closing deals.

“The Fed and the government’s response to a recession is to lower interest rates, and that would create more movement in the real estate market,” said Glenn Phillips, CEO at Lake Homes Realty and Beach Homes Realty. – The Banner Press

[The Alexander City Outlook] Building a National Waterfront Real Estate Empire Through Data and Specialization

Photo by Alex Staudinger

The U.S. waterfront real estate market is highly fragmented yet immensely valuable, and instead of chasing growth through large agent rosters and high transaction volume, Lake Homes Realty has become a leading lake-focused brokerage by cultivating a smaller, highly skilled agent network supported by deep market expertise. CEO and Lead Economic Analyst Glenn Phillips—once a software engineer—never set out to disrupt real estate, but when he and COO Doris Phillips were asked to evaluate a struggling startup’s lead-generation portal, they discovered the foundation for a new brokerage model centered on waterfront properties.

“We told them it had some flaws, but if you made it a brokerage, that might be an innovative idea,” Phillips recalls of that turning point over a decade ago. – The Alexander City Outlook

[The Alexander City Outlook] Inside the Strategy Driving Growth in Lake and Lifestyle-Focused Property Markets

Photo by Alex Staudinger

The world of real estate is changing — and nowhere is that more evident than in the specialized niche of lake- and lifestyle-focused properties. In a recent piece from KeyCrew Media, Lake Homes Realty, the country’s largest brokerage dedicated to waterfront living, reveals how it’s disrupting the traditional real estate model. CEO Glenn Phillips lays out a bold vision: to unify fragmented waterfront markets, harness technology to drive efficiency, and build a lean yet powerful team of agents. By aggregating listings from hundreds of MLS systems, Lake Homes Realty is creating a national marketplace where previously isolated lake, beach, and mountain properties finally connect. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply curious about the forces fueling lake-lifestyle real estate growth, this deep dive into their strategy offers a fresh and compelling look at what’s driving this booming corner of the market.