Celebrating Local Expertise & Exceptional Service

MRA Announces January 2026 Top Producers

Since opening its doors in March 1981, Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® has built a reputation on relentless dedication to clients and deep roots in Brunswick County communities. For more than four decades, the firm has championed local expertise, community focus, and trusted guidance — and our January 2026 Top Producers continue that legacy.

Here’s to a Strong 2026

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® along with its Executive Board of Directors is pleased to announce the firm's top producing agents and teams for January 2026. Please join us in congratulating these remarkable professionals for attaining the highest production in…

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Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is pleased to announce that Vice President, Brooke Rudd, Broker, REALTOR®, GRI, and 2020 past President of the Brunswick County Association of REALTORS® was recently installed as the 2026 President-Elect of the North Carolina Association of REALTORS® (NC REALTORS®). Rudd will serve in this role while continuing her efforts as a top performing real estate broker with the firm.


NC REALTORS® is the largest trade organization in the state, and the fifth largest REALTOR® association nationally. The organization serves its membership through advocacy, professional development and community engagement, and plays a pivotal role in regulatory affairs as they pertain to the industry and protecting the rights of…

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Chance Harrison

Southport, NC - January 19, 2026 - Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is excited to welcome Chance Harrison as its new Director of Sales. In this role, Harrison will lead and support the real estate sales arm of the business, including serving as the Broker-in-Charge of the Oak Island office. Harrison joins the firm after a distinguished career running a successful boutique brokerage outside the Washington, D.C. area, managing over 40 real estate agents. With a strong emphasis on investor-driven representation and complex projects for a wide range of clients, Harrison brings a wealth of experience in high-level negotiation and practical leadership.


As Director of Sales, Harrison will spearhead the development of sales strategies designed…

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MRA Congratulates Top Producers For December 2025

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 December 2025. 

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

Southport Offices

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

Oak Island Office

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

Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® is a local independent company rooted in the communities of Brunswick County. Our agents bring an authenticity, depth of knowledge…

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January Pruning Guide: What to Cut Back (and What to Leave Alone) in Southeastern North Carolina

SE NC January Pruning Tips Blog Article Cover Photo  January may feel like a quiet month in the garden, but in southeastern North Carolina, it’s actually prime time for smart pruning. With most plants dormant and pests at bay, winter pruning helps encourage healthy growth, better blooms, and stronger trees come spring.

Whether you’re sprucing up your yard for curb appeal or simply maintaining your landscape, here’s a helpful January pruning guide tailored to our coastal climate.

Trees to Prune in January

Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) are ideal candidates for winter pruning because their structure is easier to see.

Good choices for January pruning include:

  • Oak trees –…

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When cooler weather settles in and the summer blooms fade, many homeowners assume curb appeal has to take a back seat until spring. But winter can be a beautiful season to show off your home—especially here along the North Carolina coast, where milder temperatures still allow for outdoor charm and inviting scenery. Whether you’re preparing to list your home or simply want to give your property some extra love, a little winter curb appeal goes a long way.

Here are some simple, effective, and coastal-friendly ways to keep your home looking warm and welcoming all winter long:

1. Keep Your Exterior Clean & Tidy

Wind, salt air, fallen leaves, and pine needles can add up quickly. Take a few minutes each week to:

  • Sweep porches, walkways, and…

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Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® Recognizes Top Performing Agents & Teams During Annual Sales Awards Event

CASWELL BEACH, NC – (March 10, 2025) On Thursday, March 6, 2025, the Real Estate Sales Division of Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® gathered at Duffer’s Pub & Grille at the Oak Island Golf Club to recognize its collective, team and individual accomplishments from the 2024 year.

Margaret Rudd Annual Sales Awards

Led by Karen Brake, President and Property Management Director, George Brake, Chief Financial Officer and Broker-In-Charge, and Bob Bates, Broker-In-Charge, awards were distributed as follows.

SALES VOLUME AWARDS

The following REALTORS® were presented with individual and team sales volume awards for their total achieved sales volume in…

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MRA Wins Prestigious LeadingRE Referral Award

For Immediate Release

Southport, NC – (March 3, 2025) Margaret Rudd & Associates, Inc., REALTORS® (MRA), a leader in the Brunswick County real estate and property management industries, received the Global Referral Award from Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® (LeadingRE), a global network that interconnects premier local and regional real estate firms worldwide. The award was presented during LeadingRE Conference Week, a series of specialized events that attracted top real estate professionals from more than 30 countries. 

The Global Referral Award recognizes individuals and firms who successfully assisted clients with real estate needs outside of their local market in 2023 and 2024, working in collaboration with fellow LeadingRE…

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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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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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