REAL ESTATE

While housing pops up along Virginia 122, a New England developing firm has chosen the south side of the lake for its first Virginia development.

"I came here for some recreation, looked around, liked the area and decided to invest in it," said Ken Simmons, partner with J&K&M&B.

"My first choice was to put a contract on lakefront property," he said. "I just see values going to the extreme as far as what people were charging for things."

He traded lake frontage for mountain views, selecting Penhook for Smithfield Subdivision, 12 single-family homes on a street ending in a cul-de-sac.

The homes will sit on one- to six-acre lots. Most will be two stories, with about 2,500 square feet. Simmons said the standard-home model will include four bedrooms, 2¹₂ bathrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen, family room and oversized two-car garage.

"They'll be offered with any luxury improvements or upgrades that the customers choose," said Simmons. "I've added libraries, three-car garages ... pretty much any option that you may have, we have the ability to add it onto your house."

Standard features include dishwasher, gas fireplace, built-in microwave, washer/dryer hookups, gas range, gas hot water heater and gas heat/air.

The developers will be offering a variety of landscaping packages, with all home lots having at least two mature trees in the front yard.

All the work, said Simmons, is done through his developing company, from start to finish.

"We develop our own properties, we do our own site improvements," he said. "We do not sell lots. So we keep control of our developments."

Although Smithfield Subdivision does not front the lake, Simmons said he doesn't anticipate having trouble finding customers, because there is a public boat ramp two miles down the road with parking for up to 100 vehicles.

Home sales will start at $250,000. The first house will be available for move-in at the end of May.

For more information about Smithfield Subdivision, call (276) 790-7627.

LAURIE EDWARDS | Laker Weekly 721.4675 (ext. 406)