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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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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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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MRA Announces June 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 June 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: Amy Lynn Boltz
• Top Listing Agent: Elvira Gilbert

Oak Island Office

• Top Listing Agent: Brooke Rudd
• 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 none.…

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MRA Congratulates Top Producers for October 2024

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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MRA Congratulates Top Producers for September 2024

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: A Guide to Closing Costs in North Carolina

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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