Smith Lake (Jasper, Guntersville, Double Springs: new home, buying, living)

TURFNSCAPE · 06-08-2010, 12:22 PM

Can anyone tell me how the housing market is around Smith Lake. Does it seem to be growing in popularity or is it staying stagnant?

quicktwitch · 06-09-2010, 09:34 AM

Like over the past year or the past 10 years?

I grew up on Smith Lake and over the past 10 years the lake has drastically grown. When I was growing up (I'm 25 now), most of the houses where more of the "lake cottage" type- like weekend getaways. Now however, it seems like every house out there is a $1,000,000+ home. I'm always blown away when I go back there. I guess it really all depends on where you are on the lake. I was on the Jasper side.

If your asking if it has recovered from the recent housing market crash, I can't say, I havent tried buying or selling a lakehouse out there. My parents sold theirs right before it all fell apart.

Joeyj42 · 06-09-2010, 10:14 AM

I grew up in Jasper, and my grandparents still have a house on the lake. I still go up to Smith Lake pretty often, and there are still houses being built. Obviously not at the rapid manner that they were being built before the recession, but I would say it is still gaining popularity.

TURFNSCAPE · 06-09-2010, 04:02 PM

Thanks for the feed back.

I was looking for growth over the last 5 to 10 years, I guess I should have clarified. Would you say the majority of the homes going in are $800k plus? Do you believe most are second homes or permanent residents....?

quicktwitch · 06-10-2010, 10:13 AM

Obviously I was exaggerating a little when I said every home was $1M+, but there are A LOT of very nice, new homes on the lake. If I had to guess though, I would say total building costs on a lot of them probably isn't too far off from the $800K-$1M mark.

I think most of the houses out there now are still secondary residents, but the number of people living on the lake is definitely increasing. The problem with living on the lake is that while more and more people are moving into the area, there still isnt really any major developments or infrastructure in the area. Not that I want the lake to become overly commercialized (i.e. Lake Lanier in Atl), but it would be nice if there were at least some restaurants you could go to by boat (or by car). We used to live out there every summer. It was awesome, but it can get a little lonely and isolated during the week.

Right now, Smith Lake area is still an extremely rural with almost all the land surrounding the lake being farmland and back roads. I personally think it all stems from the fact that the entire lake and its surrounding counties are dry. It is supposed to be illegal to have any alcohol what-so-ever on the water; however that doesn't stop most people- they just drive into Jasper. All it really does is discourage ventures. It’s tough to live in a place year around where you have to drive 15-20 min to get to a decent grocery store and something other than a Jack’s to eat. At least there’s Cujo’s! Mmmmmmm.

Joeyj42 · 06-10-2010, 11:40 AM

No definitely not the majority. There are a lot over $800k, but I wouldn't say the majority.

Keeper · 06-11-2010, 08:29 AM

My nephew checked into some lots there and said most were very steep and there is no way the average person could get down to the lake and building a home would be very expensive because of the steep lots. He went on one of those specials and said it was a joke because they were saying they sold lots before the convoy even left the office.

quicktwitch · 06-11-2010, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keeper

My nephew checked into some lots there and said most were very steep and there is no way the average person could get down to the lake and building a home would be very expensive because of the steep lots. He went on one of those specials and said it was a joke because they were saying they sold lots before the convoy even left the office.

Expensive to build a house? Yes.

No way an average person could get down to the lake? Don't be ridiculous.

TURFNSCAPE · 06-11-2010, 12:27 PM

I haven't seen all of the lake but what I have seen was not that steep, not like some lakes I have visited anyway. I am not sure that it is more expensive than any other lake. But if it is....I would understand why, it is one of the cleanest lakes in the country and still fairly undeveloped.

Keeper · 06-12-2010, 06:26 AM

All I can tell you is what my nephew and his wife told me. That was their opinion. The lots were something like 39K. near Double Springs side. . Just like on Lake Guntersville there are houses right on the lake and there are some on the side of mountains (hills). Some are very steep and some are not..