Dora 'the Lake Explorer' Smith
Broker / Owner, Broker, Agent
Testimonials
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Dora was very easy to work with and very quick to respond to any questions we had. She is always thinking ahead to make sure everything was done proper. I would recommend her for anyone looking to buy or sell in the lake Gaston area.
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- Loren Benedict
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Dora was easy to work with and very professional. She got the job done and I recommend her to anyone needing a Realestate Pro.
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- Robert Hall
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Working with Dora Smith was an absolute pleasure! She listened to our goals and worked diligently to help us meet those goals. She kept us updated on her progress and shared her expertise to help us make an informed decision! We highly recommend her!!
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- Harriett Sue Guy (Client)
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Dora was great to work with. She helped us through the process of selling our home and provided all the information needed to complete the process.
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- Christy Bolton
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Five Stars. Excellent service. I Highly recommended. am looking forward to work with Dora in future for other projects.
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- Prad P
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Dora was very helpful in the process of finding a house at the lake! She responded quickly even up to our closing. Thank you Dora!
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- Mindy
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I can't thank Dora enough for the smooth way in which she handled the sale of my home. From start to finish she was with me all the way---keeping in touch (almost daily) throughout the process. Her presentation and marketing strategies were top notch. I strongly recommend her for all your real estate needs.
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- Trudy K Rockwell
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Dora did an amazing job helping George and I buy our first house from recommending us a great Mortage lender to answering any questions we had. I recommend everyone to work with Dora as she will advocate for you til the very end.
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- Asia Tanner
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Dora is awesome. She works hard to sell or buy. She is wonderful. We have used her two time and she is great. If you want to sell or buy call Dora.
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- Debra vairo (Sell and buy)
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Dora not only was extremely helpful when I purchased property but when I decided to sell she stayed committed to helping with the sale even though people kept changing their minds. When the right person came along she helped to make the selling process seamless and I can't thank her enough for all her help. John Faison
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- John Faison (Client )
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I was glad to have Dora as my agent. She stuck with me till I found what I wanted. I highly recommend her for anyone in the market to buy or sell real estate. Thanks Dora for all your help in my search.
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- Richard rhew
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She was the greatest and would highly recommend to anyone buy or selling a home, a true professional. Both my wife and myself were very pleased with the personal contact and updates as the process went forward.
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- Robert Pierce
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We had unimproved property on Lake Gaston on the border between Virginia and North Carolina. She did research on comparable properties and helped us set a good price for our site. She made flyers to help advertise our property. She was successful in selling our property where previous realtors had not.
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- Kip and Joyce Norcross
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Thank you Dora for assisting with selling the lot. She was quick responding. We are very happy to work with her. We are recommending Dora to anyone who needs to sell or buy.
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- Tin Nguyen
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Dora is a professional Realtor with a warm and caring personality . She is very hard working, responsive and goes the extra Mile to make her customer happy. Dora found my perfect next home to retire to and it wasn’t on the market! She spoke with the owner who was contemplating to sell and well, she made it happen. I’m so impressed that I will retain Dora to sell my current home.
Dora has been such a blessing to work with and I look forward to our on going working relationship and friendship!
Cathy W.
NC >VA
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- Cathy Willis
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Dora was great, always responded quickly to any inquiries or questions. Everyone she brought into our purchase process was easy to work with, and did their jobs flawlessly. Getting things done at LKG can sometimes be a challenge, Dora make our experience smooth and pain free.
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- Ted Place (Transportation )
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Give Dora your wish list and she will work hard to.find the perfect property for you. Call Dora if you're looking for your next dream home. If it's out there, she'll find it.
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- W.G. Martin (Director of Customer Relations)
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Dora was wonderful!! From the first that we spoke until the property was sold, always very professional. She kept in touch with us every step of the way. We will use Dora again!
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- Patrick and Christine Venable
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Dora is excellent! She is very responsive, proactive and obviously experienced. She is friendly, accommodating and flexible. She took care of everything for us in a timely manner.
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- Steve Terry (Contract Service Manager)
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five Stars — Truly Exceptional
Dora was nothing short of incredible. From the very beginning, she was responsive, knowledgeable, calm under pressure, and deeply invested in making sure everything went smoothly. This was not a simple or stress-free transaction, yet she consistently showed up with clarity, professionalism, and reassurance exactly when it mattered most.
What truly sets Dora apart is that she doesn’t just “do her job” — she advocates. She anticipated issues before they arose, knew exactly who to call and when, and guided me through every step with confidence and care. There were multiple moments where her experience and connections made what felt impossible suddenly manageable. In one of the most significant and emotionally charged seasons of my life, she was steady, honest, and trustworthy. If you want a realtor who is competent, communicative, and truly on your side, Dora is the one.
I cannot recommend her highly enough.
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- Jen Cannon
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Dora is AMAZING. If it was not for her, my husband and I would not have gotten our dream home! She worked day and night to make sure our first ever home buying process was as smooth as possible! She is extremely personable, kind, easy to talk to, and cares deeply about her clients and their happiness! She is the BEST realtor/agent you could choose/be blessed to work with!:)
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- Samantha Arrington
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Dora is the best realtor on the lake. Always answers her phone, goes above and beyond for the client. We purchased our home thru Dora and sold it thru her as well.
Very professional.
You will not be disappointed.
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- Donna Kane
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dora was great to work with. kept me informed and made buying the property non stressful
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- TROY ALAN SIRBAUGH (owner)
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Dora did a great job of guiding us through what turned out to be a difficult real estate transaction. She worked for us!
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- Greg Cooper
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Dora was great , she showed me the property negotiated with the owner. Dora answered any and every question I had. If you're looking at the lake call Dora
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- Jay Strawser
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Dora was very helpful with our second home/lake home search. I had called several agents, and many were unresponsive or uninterested in helping, Dora was ready to help. I am a licensed agent in NC and purchased a lake home in Virginia. Dora was helpful in explaining the process, which is different than in North Carolina where I work as an agent. She recommended vendors for inspections and service we needed even after the purchasing. She was quick to respond and helpful in negotiating on our behalf. I would highly recommend Dora and would choose her again. I have already recommended her to others. She is very knowledgeable about the lake area and her expertise made for a fun and smooth transaction.
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- Wendy Steiner (Realtor/ Broker NC)
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Dora did such a great job helping us sell our home! Her attention to detail and availability were the best. We highly recommend Dora and can’t say enough about her professionalism and kindness.
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- Karen Lyons
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Dora did an unbelievable job for me and my family. She knows so much about the area and was a vital resource in getting me the best price possible for a lakefront property. I can not recommend her enough. Thanks Dora.
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- Dennis T Johnson
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Dora was so nice to deal with and very knowledgeable about the lake. She handled all the scheduling of the inspections. She also stayed in touch with us during the whole process of buying the house.
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- Dennis Marshall
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Had a great experience with Dora. She helped us check out Lake Gaston and viewed a number of different properties with different advantages. She worked with us on our timeline and ultimately helped us through the process of finding and buying a great lake house that met our needs.
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- Tim Mueller
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Dora was very helpful and knowledgeable through the whole process. I am very pleased we chose her to represent us in this transaction and look forward to dealing with her in the future for any other needs in the area.
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- Martin Ehman
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We have used Dora to purchase two homes in the Lake Gaston Estates area and would highly recommended her to anyone looking for a delightful, hard working, incredibly thorough real estate agent who always goes above and beyond.
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- Marybeth Brown
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Dora was absolutely wonderful. She is so friendly and helpful with every aspect of the home buying experience. I really loved she asked a lot of questions on exactly what we wanted so that we didn't waste any time on houses that didn't check all the boxes. We ended up purchasing the second house we looked at and love it.
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- Lori Ehman
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Dora was very knowledgeable and helpful with the listing and sale of our Lake Gaston Property. Her efforts were greatly appreciated.
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- Mac McManus (Property Owner )
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Dora was always on time and very informative of the property we asked to see. She was patient and answered all our questions. Our family would recommend her if ever needed again. We never felt stressed..
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- sylvia marshall
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Dora spent multiple hours making visits, phone calls, And follow ups. She worked for several months getting my home marketable and ready to sell. Her expertise and recommendations became evident when the house was put on the market. The house sold and the finally negations were made easier having Dora working as my agent. I would strongly recommend Dora as a real estate agent.
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- David George Zumbach (Seller)
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Dora was awesome! Easy to work with, responsive, and really seemed to know the area well. She set up at the inspections we needed and negotiated well on our behalf. Thanks Dora!
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- Ken Barber (Homeowner)
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Dora was amazing in helping our family get to the lake! We initially met Dora on a rainy Sunday when we visited Lake Gaston for the very first time. Not only did she show us a listed home, but she taught us a lot about the Lake Gaston community. She listened to our goals and ultimately helped us secure a property that gets us to the lake sooner than later! I cannot say enough good things about Dora and her professional expertise!
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- Adria Dunbar
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Dora did a fantastic job helping me through the process of buying my first piece of land in Clarksville. She was quick to respond and very helpful with all of my questions. The whole experience was a breeze, I highly recommend her for your real estate needs.
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- Laura Walter
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I thoroughly enjoyed working with Dora. She was a valuable asset to have during the process of buying our home .she was very dependable when we had questions and concerns and quick with resolutions she showed great proficiency in her skills as a realtor and navigating us through the process
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- Kasandra Martin (RN)
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Dora was a great help in the sale of my home in South Hill, VA. Very knowledgeable in handling all necessary requirements needed. She kept me currant on the progress of the sale thru emails and phone calls. I highly recommend Dora and her staff.
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- Gwen Van Goethem
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A friend recommended that I look for a realtor from a list by Dave Ramsey that is verified by his real estate business . I did just that because I’ve always trusted Ramsey and his financial programs over the years.
I was immediately contacted by Dora Smith from Bracey, Va. I do not live in Virginia but in Atlanta, Ga. She introduced herself and told me a little about her business around the lakes and towns in the area. I had a very difficult property that I needed to sell and she never even hesitated in offering her advice and help from the very beginning to the end with the closing that took place within 5 months . There had been a death of a family member very suddenly a there had been no guidelines set up ahead of time as to how to be handled . Dora worked diligently from the beginning interviewing people that could empty out the house and so many other obstacles that came up along the way . I could never have done it without her professional help and integrity.
I feel like I got to know her even though long distance and felt I’d even made a friend along the way . She was just fantastic and I’ll always be grateful for all of her very hard work that she provided with a wonderful attitude the whole way through!!
Anyone would be very fortunate to make her acquaintance.
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- Stephanie powell
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Dora was absolutely great in helping us purchase our home. She was always available and made the purchase go extremely smooth. Always willing to contact people or be wherever someone needed if we couldnt be. Can't recommend her enough!
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- Christina Barber
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We recently had the pleasure of working with Dora "the Lake Explorer" Smith as our realtor, and we can't recommend her highly enough! From our very first interaction, Dora's proactiveness was evident. She took the time to understand our needs and preferences, ensuring that every property she suggested was a perfect fit.Dora's responsiveness is truly impressive; she was always available to answer our questions and provided updates promptly, making the entire process feel seamless. Her communication skills are top-notch—she explained every step clearly, and we never felt left in the dark.What sets Dora apart is her extensive knowledge of the local real estate market. Her insights into the neighborhoods, property values, and future developments were invaluable for us in making informed decisions. It’s clear that she is passionate about her work, and her dedication to her clients shines through in everything she does.If you’re looking for a realtor who will go above and beyond, Dora "the Lake Explorer" Smith is the person to call! Thank you, Dora, for making our home-buying experience such a positive one!
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- Dan Grigg
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Dora was great to work with. She took the reins from the time we put in an offer and kept us on schedule with inspections, repairs and negotiating all the way to closing. She was knowledgeable in the market and knew what to offer to secure the property. We will use Dora as our local Realtor from now on. Thanks, Dora, for representing us so well, caring about our needs and helping us so well. We know she had other clients but she made us feel like we were the only one she was working with.
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- Mrs. Smith (Buyer - Lake Gaston)
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Dora was completely professional, kind, courteous, prompt, and just a downright nice person and was a pleasure to work with. She kept me up to date on the pricing, marketing and demand as the complete selling process took place. My next property transaction will be done by her again. If she didn’t answer the phone when I called, she phoned back shortly after I left a message. She is great to work with and again, she will be our agent for the next property that we buy or sell.
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- Scott Lambert
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Dora went above and beyond, for me, in selling my home. Her vast knowledge of Lake Gaston and surrounding areas was definitely evident. Any issue that came up, she was supportive of me, and worked tirelessly to make the sale of my home happen. I appreciate Dora’s work ethic, always keeping me informed, and her honesty.
If you are trying to sell your home or are interested in buying a new home, I highly recommend Dora Smith.
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- Susan Greenway
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Dora helped us find a house in 2015. We were so satisfied with that experience we asked her to list that same home to sell in 2025. Dora did an excellent job helping us to get our house ready to sell and advising us on the right price to list it at. We received multiple offers within two days. She also did a great job being a liaison between us and the buyers through the entire closing process. Doras knowledge and expertise was invaluable.We would highly recommend her to anyone buying or selling a house.
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- Wayne and Sarah Guynn
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We enjoyed working with Dora! She was very responsive to phone calls and text messages. Dora helped us through the closing process, which we really appreciated! Thank you Dora!
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- Mindy
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Dora Smith was an absolute pleasure to work with! She listened to our goals and worked diligently to meet those goals. She kept us informed and shared her expertise and experience to help us make informed decisions! We highly recommend her!
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- Harriett Sue Guy (Client)
About Dora 'the Lake Explorer' Smith
As a full time resident of Lake Gaston and professional Realtor for the past 20 years, I look forward to working with you.It's a beautiful day at Lake Gaston! I Love living at the Lake! Whether you are selling or buying, I take great pride in offering superior professional and personal service. As a Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Certified Casan Luxury Real Estate Specialist (CCLRES), Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS), Guild® Luxury Realtor®, Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN), and Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) recipient, I have excellent negotiating skills and market knowledge, and add much value as your Broker and Realtor; also with the Resort and Second-Home Property (RSPS) certification and my experience as a real estate broker and a licensed General Contractor in both North Carolina and Virginia, I am more knowledgeable and prepared to assist and guide you in both selling and buying transactions, including second homes. Building and selling lake homes in Lake Country for 25 years gives me an advantage over other agents. Why settle for just an agent, when you can have me working for and representing you for your next home sale or purchase?
Working as your broker, I will use my knowledge, skills and abilities to streamline the entire process for you before, during and after the sale. I will provide core values to you--a high level of integrity, commitment and honesty--which are the basis of my business model. After earning your trust and your business, I am confident that your friendship will follow.
I am the Owner and Broker-in-Charge at NextHome 1st Choice Realty. My hobbies include spending time with my family and our Golden Doodle, Cooper. Other hobbies include water sports, motorcycling, classic cars and general aviation: my husband and I are Private Pilots.
I am a true 'Dora the Explorer' and am known locally as Dora 'the Lake Explorer.' With a background and years of experience devoted to Human Resources Management, Industrial Engineering, Warehousing and Management, I am well rounded in all aspects of real estate. Taking personal pride in learning, and knowing Education is Knowledge, I am committed to providing the best service for my clients. I completed the Certified Real Estate Negotiator (CREN) endorsement most recently and the Guild® certification for Luxury Home Marketing and am a Member of the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. Whether buying or selling, make me Your 1st Choice in real estate, especially in Lake Country: Lake Gaston, Kerr Lake / Buggs Island and Roanoke Rapids Lake and surrounding areas! At NextHome 1st Choice, we put YOU 1st in real estate!
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to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Multiple Listing Service. Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than NextHome 1st Choice may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. Copyright ©2026 All rights reserved. Roanoke Valley Lake Gaston Board of Realtors
Last Updated: September 22, 2026 10:58 AM UTC
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