Selling your home during the holiday season can be a strategic move. Buyers in the market for a new home this time of year are often serious, and a cozy, festive atmosphere can help them envision spending their holidays in your home. However, it’s important to strike the right balance—too much décor or overly personal touches might overwhelm potential buyers. Here are some expert holiday home staging tips to help you make a lasting impression:


1. Keep It Simple and Elegant

Over-the-top decorations might feel jolly to you, but buyers need to see your home's features, not your ornament collection. Choose a cohesive color scheme for your holiday décor that complements your home’s interior. Stick to neutral tones with a pop of festive color, like…

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Smart home technology has become increasingly popular, transforming ordinary homes into efficient, convenient, and secure living spaces. With the market offering a wide range of smart devices, it can be challenging to determine which upgrades are truly worth the investment. This article explores the most valuable smart home upgrades, focusing on those that enhance comfort, security, and energy efficiency.


1. Smart Thermostats

Benefits:

Smart thermostats, such as the Nest Learning Thermostat or the Ecobee SmartThermostat, are a top choice for homeowners looking to save on energy bills while maintaining a comfortable home environment. These devices learn your schedule and preferences, adjusting the temperature automatically to optimize energy…

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Celebrating the October Top Producers

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® along with its Executive Board of Directors is pleased to announce the firm's top producing agents and teams from the month of October 2024. 

Please join us in congratulating the following for attaining the highest production in representing the interests of buyers and sellers.

Southport Offices

  • Top Listing Agent: Rosanne Matheson
  • Top Selling Agent: Stephen Mills

Oak Island Office

  • Top Listing Agent: Kathy MacNish
  • Top Selling Agent: Karen Wirzulis

Teams

  • Top Listing Team: The Jolliff Team
  • Top Selling Team: The Jolliff Team

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BCAR September 2024 Real Estate Market Stats

Brunswick County’s residential real estate market surpassed $2 billion in year-to-date sales volume for the fourth consecutive year, tracking a month ahead of last year’s pace for this milestone. In September, new listings, units sold and total sales volume increased, while average and median sales prices slightly decreased.

“Our market continues to outpace itself, hitting $2 BILLION a month earlier than last year,” said Cynthia Walsh, BCAR CEO. “This milestone is no easy feat, and the nearly 1,000 Brunswick County REALTORS who have participated in a transaction this year deserve a pat on the back. As far as September goes, demand remains strong, and I expect these trends to remain consistent as the holidays approach.”

New listings increased…

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Celebrating the September Top Producers

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® along with its Executive Board of Directors is pleased to announce the firm's top producing agents and teams from the month of September 2024. 

Please join us in congratulating the following for attaining the highest production in representing the interests of buyers and sellers.

Southport Offices

  • Top Listing Agent: Bob Lewis
  • Top Selling Agent: Rosanne Matheson

Oak Island Office

  • Top Listing Agent: Pat Proctor
  • Top Selling Agent: Kathy MacNish

Teams

  • Top Listing Team: Rudd Sold Group
  • Top Selling Team: Rudd Sold Group

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Who Pays What

Understanding the allocation of costs in a real estate transaction is paramount in the process for both buyers and sellers. Closing costs can make or break a transaction by significantly impacting financial considerations. Whether you’re a seasoned investor or a first-time home buyer, understanding the details on who pays what at the end of the day will empower you to have more confidence at the closing table.

Closing Costs: Sellers

Prorated Property Taxes &/or HOA Fees
Property taxes in North Carolina are paid in arrears meaning the taxes for a property are prorated based upon the cumulative number of days the seller owned the home throughout the year. Therefore, if a seller closes in December they are more likely to pay more taxes…

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Keep Your Beach House in Top Shape

Living by the beach offers a unique lifestyle filled with salty air, stunning sunsets, and the soothing rhythm of the waves. However, owning a beach home comes with its own set of challenges, particularly when it comes to maintenance. The corrosive effects of saltwater, constant exposure to sun, and high humidity levels can take a toll on your property if not properly addressed. To ensure that your coastal retreat remains a haven of relaxation and beauty, here’s a comprehensive guide on how to properly maintain your beach home.

Understanding the Elements

Before diving into maintenance tasks, it’s crucial to understand the unique environmental factors that affect beach homes. Saltwater, sand, sun exposure, and…

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Is New Construction Right for You?

If you've driven through Brunswick County at any point in the last year (and likely 10+ years), you've seen the number of new construction homes and communities in the area. As home prices and interest rates increase, many buyers look to this option to attain a new home. While builders provide buyers with options throughout the process, decisions involving the floorplan, upgrades, financing, etc. will need to be made which can cause the process to feel overwhelming. As development continues, buyers should familiarize themselves with the lesser known intricacies of the new construction process.

Allocate Budget for Excluded Items

As with most experiences, the process of building your home involves a few “excluded”…

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Ensure a Smooth Closing Process by Avoiding these Financial Steps

It’s important to keep a few things in mind when applying for a mortgage and closing on the home. Maintaining financial stability during the home-buying process is vital to the success and ease of your transaction. Minor fluctuations in your credit score could substantially impact your mortgage interest rate and loan approval. It’s important to avoid any action that can negatively influence your credit or change your financial situation. Here, we summarize 10 financial moves that you should avoid if you’re in the process of buying a home.

1. Changing Jobs

A stable employment history is a preferred characteristic for lenders. Disruptions in employment history, specifically those…

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The popularity of self-managing vacation rentals has increased drastically over the last 5 years, with third-party listing sites like Vrbo and Airbnb providing homeowners with a system to manage their homes without involving a professional property or rental manager. Provided are basic management tools like a listing page, reservation system, basic pricing algorithm, etc., and they tend to make money. For some homeowners, self-management is ideal. For others, partnering with a professional like Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® means both making more money and enjoying more of their investment in not having to deal with the details!

Here, let’s discuss the 3 most common myths or misconceptions about self-managing vacation rentals so that you…

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