While there is a lot to do in Tennessee, it’s always fun to travel a little farther from home and just get away from it all. One popular destination is Crane Hill in Alabama. Nestled at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains and featuring Smith Lake and freshwater streams, it offers plenty of recreational opportunities. Located off Route 65, the picturesque countryside drive is a pleasure in itself and prepares one’s mind and body for a relaxing, nature-infused experience.
Crane Hill is where many Tennesseans enjoy second homes, often with incredible lake views. To help with the purchase of these properties, buyers often turn to Justin Dyar (also known as Mr. Smith Lake®).
“The lake is definitely my specialty,” he says. “My family's had places on the lake since I was young, and I’ve always lived on the water. My whole team also lives on the lake, and because we experience it ourselves, people come to us because of our knowledge of the area, the properties, and the lake itself.”
Most of his clients live within a three-hour radius of Crane Hill and are looking not only for a beautiful place to spend time with family and friends, but also for a sound investment. “Many of our properties offer rental income because this area is a real vacation spot, and renting out the property will help to offset expenses,” says Justin.
Rental income can yield a high return on investment, especially in highly desired locations, such as those with waterfront access and proximity to entertainment, dining, and activities.
One of these properties, with over 10,000 square feet of combined living and covered space, checks all of those boxes. Located at 150 County Rd 4232, and right on Smith Lake, it’s aptly named Sky Cabin. “It has a massive water view because it's elevated off the lake, and the sunsets are just incredible.”
The materials found on the outside of this custom-built house, such as its exterior wavy-edge cedar siding sourced from Haida Forest Products in Canada, metal roof, and stone, fit right in with the landscape and create a treehouse effect. From the inside, the large windows throughout bring the outdoors in and flood the rooms with light, while showcasing the views of the lake and the mountains.
The open-concept main floor features a wood-burning fireplace, Australian Cypress hardwood flooring, and an amazing screened-in porch that spans the entire length of the home, making it a great place to dine or just relax. The chef’s kitchen has a Lacanche range, Miele dishwasher, Scotsman® ice maker, and a Sub-Zero refrigerator, and also offers incredible lake views.
“Most people, when they look at this house, feel that it's timeless and will never age out of style just because of the architecture,” he says. “It feels like a lake house, but it's not too dark or too rustic and appeals to a wide pool of people.”
The house is designed to accommodate large groups. The main house has two bedrooms and two full bathrooms. One of these large bedrooms is located on the lower level and has custom built-in bunks. This level also features a media lounge area, a beverage station with a built-in sink/bar, and a covered outdoor terrace. There’s even a home gym. The guest wing has three additional bedrooms and three full baths.
While the inside is impressive, the outside takes center stage. Spanning not one waterfront lot but two, it’s situated on approximately 1.3 acres and boasts 370 feet of crystal-clear waterfront with a solid stone shoreline. This allows for a good amount of space from neighbors, therefore affording a high degree of privacy.
“Every buyer who comes to us is obviously coming for the water, so they want direct waterfront as well as their own private dock. That’s why almost all the properties here have their own private boat dock.”
While most people picture a boat dock as just a place to park a boat, this custom-built King dock with HydroHoist® is a total entertainment space. There’s a swim pier, a bar, a television, power, and refrigeration.
“The dock was originally designed for two boats, but the owners enclosed one side of it and made it like an extension of the house,” says Justin.
Lake Homes Realty has a niche in Crane Hill because it focuses exclusively on waterfront properties. “That's what we're known for, and we deal with everything from very small cottages to mansions, so we really have something for everyone at Smith Lake. We also do a lot of land business where people can create their own space.”
To find your very own dream lake home and/or investment property, contact Justin Dyar.
205-468-6375
Justin Dyar.com
"Every buyer who comes to us is obviously coming for the water..."