MRA Announces January 2026 Top Producers

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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MRA VP BROOKE RUDD APPOINTED PRESIDENT-ELECT, NC REALTORS®

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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Margaret Rudd & Associates Names Chance Harrison Director of Sales

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 December 2025 Top Producers

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 NC

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

  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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Waterways of Southport/Oak Island

If you're heading to Southport/Oak Island, North Carolina area (or thinking about it) and you love being out on the water — whether fishing, cruising, dolphin-watching or just soaking up the scenery — you’re in for a treat. This charming little coastal area sits at a prime junction of waterways, offering a variety of experiences for boats of all sizes, anglers of all skill levels, and nature-lovers looking for a memorable outing. Below we’ll highlight three standout water zones and what makes each special: great spots to fish, boat, or just chill and spot dolphins.

1. Cape Fear River

Why it’s special

The Cape Fear River flows right by Southport and empties into the Atlantic between barrier islands — which means lots of tidal motion, mixing of…

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Often Overlooked Questions To Ask Before Buying a Home

Before is the key word!

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions most people will ever make. It’s easy to focus on the obvious questions—What’s the asking price? How many bedrooms? How big is the yard?—but sometimes it’s the questions buyers don’t ask that lead to unexpected surprises later. Before signing on the dotted line, here are some often overlooked questions to keep in mind:

1. What’s included in the sale?

Not every appliance, fixture, or feature you see during a showing automatically comes with the house. Ask about refrigerators, washers/dryers, light fixtures, window treatments, and even outdoor sheds or playsets. Clarifying up front avoids confusion when you move in.

2. How old are the major systems?

…

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MRA Announces September 2025 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 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: Tim Wendt
• Top Listing Agent: Rosanne Matheson

Oak Island Office

• Top Listing Agent: Marcia Erwin
• Top Selling Agent: Karen Wirzulis

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 and array of community relationships that are second to…

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Lights in the Night

The Ghostly Lights of Frying Pan Shoals

Just off Oak Island, stretching nearly 30 miles into the Atlantic, lies one of the most treacherous—and mysterious—places on the East Coast: Frying Pan Shoals. Nicknamed the Graveyard of the Atlantic, these constantly shifting sandbars have claimed hundreds of ships over the centuries, from pirate vessels to warships. But the shipwrecks aren’t the only thing that make Frying Pan legendary.

For generations, sailors, fishermen, and even modern boaters have told stories of strange ghostly lights floating above the shoals at night.

Lights in the Night

Witnesses describe them as glowing orbs or “phantom lanterns” that bob and weave across the water. Sometimes they appear as a faint blue-green shimmer. Other…

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What Fed Rate Cuts Could Mean for Home Buyers and Sellers

What Fed Rate Cuts Could Mean for Home Buyers and Sellers

When the Federal Reserve makes a move to cut interest rates, headlines light up—and many people immediately wonder: What does this mean for the housing market? While the Fed doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, its actions often influence the broader economy and can ripple through real estate in meaningful ways.

How Fed Rate Cuts Affect the Market

The Federal Reserve lowers rates to encourage borrowing and spending, usually during periods of slower economic growth. These lower borrowing costs can affect everything from auto loans to credit cards—and yes, mortgages. While mortgage rates are more directly tied to long-term Treasury yields, they often trend downward when the Fed cuts…

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