The Topsail Island Association of REALTORS®, INC (Hereinafter referred to as TIAR) offically began on January 1, 1992, after many months of tireless efforts of its REALTOR® members who had been, until 1992, members of the Jacksonville Board of REALTORS®. The dream became a reality.

For all of the years before 1992, any real estate agents from the Topsail area had to join the Jacksonville or Wilmington Associations in order to become REALTORS®. All but one or two chose Jacksonville, and in 1990, we were able to have a director on their Board of Directors. This was Jean Brown, who was elected to serve a two year term.

With the approval of the Topsail REALTORS®, Jean Brown made a motion asking the Jacksonville Board to release the Topsail Area, including Sneads Ferry, from their jurisdiction. The motion was seconded by an old friend of Topsail, David Douglas. (Note: Dave said he would second the motion in order for a vote to be cast, but he could not vote for it, as there would be quite a bit of lost revenue to the Jacksonville Board if our motion passed) of course, the motion failed.

According to NAR and NCAR By-Laws, Topsail had the right to appeal this decision, and appeal they did. After much deliberation, the Topsail group decided to request the Island of Topsail to be the new area, and Sneads Ferry would be left with Jacksonville. A contingent of REALTORS® consisting of Larel Albert-Hines, Jean Brown, Patsy Jordan and Elizabeth (Peggy) Lewis, appeared before the NCAR State Board of Directors at the 1991 NCAR Convention in Asheville, NC. The motion was made for Topsail Island to separate from Jacksonville and form its own Board of REALTORS®. The motion was seconded by a state director, and passed with flying colors! The state was very supportive of our mission.

After that historic day, the request was forwarded to NAR for final approval at their 1991 NAR Convention and Board of Directors meeting. Once again, the motion was passed, Topsail Island was to become an Association as of January, 1992, subject to By-Laws approval.

A committee of three REALTOR® members, Cathy Medlin, Elizabeth (Peggy) Lewis and Jean Brown worked on this task, submitted the By-Laws and approval was given by NCAR and NAR.

The first installation of Officers and Directors was held at the Village of Stump Sound Clubhouse, with catering by Micki and Jack Tucker. It was a great day for us all!

A.H. (Al) Ward, Jr was the first President of our Association, as a tribute to his many years in the Real Estate industry and in his development of Topsail Island.