Home/What you're looking for/Waterfront Homes
Waterfront Homes with a Private Dock
True deeded waterfront where the dock is yours. The most sought-after — and the most technically complicated — thing to buy at this lake.
The market, briefly
What this costs at Smith Mountain Lake
Waterfront single-family homes closed around an average of $1.22M in 2024, at 97% of list and about 58 days on market.
Figures reflect publicly reported Smith Mountain Lake area activity and are for general orientation only — they are not an appraisal. Ask us for current numbers on your specific segment.
The dock is a permit, not just a structure
Appalachian Power manages the shoreline under its FERC license. Full pond is 795 feet above sea level and AEP's authority runs up to the 800-foot contour — roughly five vertical feet above the water. Building or modifying a dock, adding riprap, or removing vegetation below that contour all require AEP permission.
Grandfathering cuts both ways
Docks built before 2003 are generally grandfathered even where they would not meet today's standards. The catch: modifying one can trigger current requirements. A buyer who plans to "just add a lift" needs to know that before closing, not after.
Permits take time and a surveyor
A new dock permit typically means a licensed surveyor (commonly in the $800–$1,000 range) and a minimum thirty-day AEP review. If your closing plan assumes a dock by Memorial Day, work backward from that timeline.
Depth, fetch, and orientation
Two lots with identical shoreline footage can be worth very different amounts. What matters: usable water depth at low pond, how exposed the dock is to wind and boat wake, and which direction the view faces. This is the expertise gap between a lake specialist and a good general agent.
Use this
Questions to ask any agent about this
Ask these of whoever you end up working with — us, someone we introduce you to, or an agent you found yourself. A specialist answers them easily. Everyone else gets vague.
- Is the dock permitted, and is the permit transferable to me?
- What is the water depth at the end of the dock at low pond?
- Was the dock built before or after 2003, and what happens if I modify it?
- How much of the shoreline is actually usable, versus steep bank?
- Which direction does the dock face, and what does that mean in July?
Communities that fit
A starting point. Details change — always verify current rules with the HOA and the county.
| Community | Where | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater GrandeWaterfront · New Construction | Moneta, Bedford Co. | A gated waterfront development of about 30 homesites within walking distance of Bridgewater Plaza, with a pool, pickleball and a community boat storage area. Still building out. |
| WaverlyWaterfront · Marina | Union Hall, Franklin Co. | 138 acres and 119 home sites served by a private 26-slip marina. |
| The BoardwalkWaterfront | Union Hall, Franklin Co. | Over 100 acres built around the only boardwalk on Smith Mountain Lake, in a Nantucket style. |
| The CovesWaterfront · Eco | Moneta, Franklin Co. | Solar arrays, eco-conscious design and a community amphitheater. |
| South HarbourWaterfront | Union Hall, Franklin Co. | Half-acre to 2.5-acre lots on the Blackwater channel; 40 properties, 28 of them waterfront. |
| The SanctuaryWaterfront · Lots | Penhook, Franklin Co. | A waterfront enclave of roughly 135 acres on the south side of the lake, sold as homesites for new construction. |
| The FarmWaterfront · Eco | Moneta, Franklin Co. | Green-building focused community of 63 properties, 17 of them waterfront. |
| Park PlaceWaterfront | Union Hall, Franklin Co. | 138 acres of hardwood forest and 119 home sites near the Virginia Wine Trail. |
Where to look for this on the lake
Moneta & the North Shore
The classic lake side. Cottages and chalets tucked into wooded coves, the State Park, and the county where short-term rentals are permitted.
Explore this areaHuddleston & the East End
Deep water, wide views, and the quietest stretch of main channel — the lake between the bridges and the dam.
Explore this areaUnion Hall & the South Shore
Newer, larger, quieter. The upscale planned communities of the Blackwater side, with golf, equestrian, and gated entries.
Explore this areaPenhook & the Upper Blackwater
The southern gateway and the best value water on the lake. Rural, quiet, and the closest shoreline to the Carolinas.
Explore this areaOr maybe you're really after…
Off-Water & Water Access
Lake life at a fraction of the price — if you understand exactly what "water access" does and does not include.
What to knowCondos & Townhomes
Lock the door and go. The lake's lowest-maintenance path to the water — and often the easiest one to rent out.
What to knowGolf Communities
Four distinct clubs, four very different memberships. Choosing the course is really choosing the community.
What to knowLooking for waterfront homes?
Tell us the specifics and we'll introduce you to an agent who does this every week — not one who does it occasionally. Free, and no obligation whatsoever.
- 100% free to you
- No obligation, ever
- One real conversation
- We never sell your info