Wendy Buckley Realtor

09/29/2026

We use our beach chairs year round here in Oak Island Town of Oak Island ! When the Summer ends, the Fall Fun begins! Saturday nights from 6-8pm you can catch some great local bands here at Middleton Park. Pop by and see me at the PROACTIVE tent for a chance to win a SWIG Tailgate Cooler. DM me to get added to my monthly events newsletter or email me directly. [email protected]

Oct 3 - Denver Nixon Band
Oct 10 - The British Invaders
Oct 24 - The Cruise Brothers

09/15/2026

This is going to be so much fun! 🎃 Come visit us at the Proactive HAUNTED HOUSE tent at the park on Oct 24th. We'll have some scary good treats to give away! Sharky will be there for photos with the kids too!

October 24, 2026 • NATIONAL NIGHT OUT & SPOOKTACULAR

Who is ready for one amazing fun night!!

Fall Market begins at 4:00 PM
Activities & Music start at 6:00 PM

Make sure to come out and see what the Town Of Oak Island Parks and Recreation Department and the Police Department have instore for you!

For more information visit www.OakIslandNC.gov/PROGRAMS

08/30/2026

Sat. Sept 5th 10-4 Bill Smith Park

08/29/2026

08/28/2026

I'm going to do my own declutter weekend, how about you?!

Do you have these items in your closet? According to experts, there are items that are cluttering your space and need to be tossed immediately.

08/19/2026

Movie Magic: Production designer Scott Dougan takes us on a video tour inside the Nantucket "home" of The Five Star Weekend and we are here for it!

Production designer Scott Dougan explains how the Peacock adaptation recreated Nantucket on a Hollywood soundstage.

07/25/2026

IRL (IN REAL LIFE) matters in real estate. Maybe now more than ever.

This is such a great article from Gary Vee, and it really resonated with me as a real estate agent and investor.

Technology has completely changed the way we search for homes. Buyers can scroll listings, study aerial photography, pull up FEMA flood maps, compare sales history, estimate values and virtually tour a property before ever stepping through the front door.

And I think that’s fantastic.

Technology can give you data but it can’t always give you CONTEXT.

Yesterday, I was showing an investor client properties in a coastal community. On paper, everything looked great. The photography was beautiful. The flood maps were available. The numbers could be analyzed.

But here’s something none of those tools told my buyer:

A nearby bridge goes underwater during hurricanes, effectively marooning residents in the community until the water recedes.

You probably won't find that in the listing photos.

A Zestimate won't tell you.

An algorithm evaluating price per square foot won't know it.

And even a flood map may not explain what living there actually looks like when a storm arrives.

Someone with boots on the ground who knows the area, talks to the people who live there and understands the nuances of the community can.

That’s where IRL becomes incredibly valuable in real estate.

Buying a home, whether it's your primary residence, a second home or an investment property, isn't simply a data transaction. You're buying into a street, a neighborhood and a community. You're buying the realities that come with that location.

Use the technology. I certainly do.

Use AI. Study the maps. Analyze the comps. Look at the photography. Run the investment numbers.

But pair all of that technology with a human being who knows what the technology doesn't.

Because when you're looking for a place to call home, sometimes the most important information isn't sitting in a database.

It's learned by being there.

IRL still matters.

Enjoy the article, and let me know if I can be your boots on the ground for your Coastal Carolina Real Estate search and acquisitions.

[email protected]

GARYVEE Article - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pendulum-swinging-back-real-life-gary-vaynerchuk-ccj6c/

06/19/2026

🏡 UNDER CONTRACT! Congratulations to my buyers! 🎉

This home search actually started in South Carolina and ended right here in Brunswick County, North Carolina.

That's one of the biggest advantages of working with an agent who is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina. Instead of being limited by state lines, we were able to focus on what mattered most: finding the right home, in the right location, at the right price.

After exploring options across both Carolinas, my buyers found the perfect fit just minutes from beautiful Holden Beach. 🌊

Every buyer's journey is different. Sometimes the home you think you want isn't the one you ultimately fall in love with. Keeping an open mind and having access to opportunities on both sides of the border can make all the difference.

Congratulations to my wonderful buyers on finding their coastal retreat! I can't wait to see them make memories here for years to come.

If you're considering a move to the Carolina coast, I'd be happy to help you explore opportunities from Brunswick County, NC all the way down the South Carolina coast.

📍 NC & SC Licensed Realtor, PROACTIVE Real Estate - Brunswick County, NC
🏖️ Coastal Homes • Retirement Homes • Vacation Homes • Investment Properties
[email protected]
240.372.5030

Listing Agent: Erica Thomas, Coastal Development &
Realty

06/19/2026

In a sea of beach rentals, being different can be a huge advantage.

This one hit the market a few days ago, and my first thought was...
Why would someone build a log cabin at the beach? 🤔🏖️

At first glance, it feels completely out of place on Oak Island.

But then I started looking closer.

Built in 1988, this 3-bedroom, 2-bath home sits beneath a beautiful canopy of mature Oak trees, just one block from direct beach access. The more I studied it, the more I realized this wasn't meant to be a typical beach cottage.

It was designed to feel like a retreat.

A place where you could spend the morning on the beach and the evening by a wood-burning stove.

A place where the shade of the live oaks matters as much as the ocean breeze.

A place that feels a little like the mountains and a little like the coast.

And honestly, that's what makes it interesting.

Most beach homes compete on ocean views, pools, and proximity to the water. This one competes on something different:

⚓ Character
⚓ Privacy beneath the trees
⚓ Cozy cabin charm
⚓ Easy beach access
⚓ Proven vacation rental income potential

And from an investment standpoint, there's something else worth considering...

In a sea of beach rentals, being different can be a huge advantage.

Travelers have thousands of beach cottages to choose from. But how many can say they stayed in a cozy log cabin beneath the live oaks just steps from the ocean?

Unique properties often create memorable guest experiences, stronger reviews, repeat visitors, and a story that guests share with friends and family long after their vacation ends.

I had some fun imagining what this unique property could become with a little vision and elbow grease.

So I created two different coastal makeovers for the cabin:

💙 Option 1: Nantucket Navy
Crisp white trim, coastal landscaping, and a classic East Coast cottage feel.

🤍 Option 2: Salt & Oak Cabin
White painted logs, powder blue shutters, hydrangeas, and timeless coastal charm beneath the live oaks.

Swipe through the photos and tell me...

Which version would you choose?
💙 Navy
🤍 White

Or would you leave it exactly as it is?

If you've been dreaming of owning a beach investment property, remember that the best opportunities aren't always the most obvious ones. Sometimes they're the properties with a story to tell.

And if you're looking for a unique coastal investment, vacation rental, retirement retreat, or second home, I'm always happy to help you find the right fit.

📩 Send me a message if you'd like to explore opportunities on Oak Island, Holden Beach, Southport, or anywhere along the North Carolina or South Carolina coast.
[email protected]

Listing courtesy of Connor S. Perkins with Art Skipper Realty.

Link to view listing:
https://wendybuckley.proactiverealestate.com/property/745-100581907-110-ne-72nd-street-oak-island-NC-28465

06/14/2026

Before You Fall in Love with a House, Fall in Love with Your Budget

One of the most common mistakes first-time homebuyers make is starting their home search before they truly understand what they can comfortably afford.

I understand the excitement. It's hard not to scroll through beautiful kitchens, dreamy porches, and backyard pools while imagining your future life there. But before you spend your weekends touring homes, there is one important conversation to have first: your budget.

Knowing what you can afford isn't about finding the absolute maximum a lender will approve. It's about determining what allows you to sleep well at night while still enjoying your life.

A lender may tell you that you qualify for a $500,000 home. 😬 But if that monthly payment leaves you feeling stretched every month, it may not be the right home for you.

Instead, think about your lifestyle.

✈️ Do you enjoy traveling?

⚾ Do you have children who play sports?

💰 Would you like to dine out occasionally, save for retirement, or keep a healthy emergency fund?

Your home should support your life, not consume it.

Once you've established a comfortable monthly payment, meet with a trusted lender and obtain a pre-approval letter. This step not only helps you understand your buying power, but it also positions you as a serious buyer when the right home comes along.

If you're considering a home in Brunswick County, remember that your mortgage payment is only part of the equation. Coastal properties often come with additional expenses such as homeowners insurance, flood insurance, HOA fees, and maintenance costs. Understanding these expenses ahead of time prevents surprises later.

I often tell my buyers that purchasing a home is much like shopping with a list at the grocery store. When you know exactly what you're looking for and what you're comfortable spending, you're less likely to make emotional decisions you'll regret later.

The good news? Once you know your budget, the fun part begins.

You'll tour homes with confidence.

You'll know when a property is a realistic fit.

And when you find "the one," you'll be able to make a strong offer without second-guessing yourself.

Buying your first home should feel exciting, not stressful. Taking the time to understand your finances before you start looking is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

🏡 The dream home isn't necessarily the most expensive one.

It's the one that allows you to enjoy both the home and the life you're building inside it.

Happy house hunting!

-Wendy Buckley
REALTOR®
PROACTIVE Real Estate
🌊Serving Coastal North Carolina & Coastal South Carolina
[email protected]