Is Alabama Really Getting Rid of Its State Income Tax?


Alabama Income Tax

Every so often I get a text from a homeowner, an investor, or a buyer relocating to the Gulf Coast asking, “Meredith, are we about to become a no–state-income-tax state like Florida or Tennessee?” Since so many of my conversations are with people comparing Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key, and the Florida Panhandle, it makes sense that taxes come up early. Today, the short answer is no. Alabama leaders are talking about reducing and refining our income tax, not eliminating it.

I wanted to put this in writing for my readers on https://www.searchthegulf.com, because tax rumors have a way of getting ahead of the actual legislation, and those rumors can influence how…

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Orange Beach, Alabama Rental Homes and Investment Properties



Orange Beach, Alabama Rental Homes and Properties: What Really Rents, What’s Restricted, and How to Get Ahead

Orange Beach Rental Homes

By Meredith Folger

I live and work right here on the Alabama Gulf Coast, and I watch our rental market every week because buyers, second-home owners, and neighbors ask me the same question over and over: “Will this actually rent?” The short answer is yes, Orange Beach is still a high-performing coastal destination with strong summer demand and repeat guests who prefer to book direct. The longer answer is that performance now depends on property type, amenity level, booking window, and whether your property is even allowed to do short-term rentals under Orange Beach’s…

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Caribe Seaside Condos in Orange Beach, Alabama — Pre-Construction Preview


Why I’m Watching Caribe Seaside

As a Gulf Coast real estate advisor based in Orange Beach, I’m tracking Caribe Seaside closely because it pairs rental-friendly resort programming with a true beachfront setting and panoramic rooftop experiences. The location keeps you close to Perdido Pass, boating access, and local dining. For an area overview, see Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ and my Boating resources — https://www.searchthegulf.com/boating-accommodations-on-the-gulf-coast/.

Meredith Amon is a Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor, licensed in Alabama and Florida. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate the buying and…

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Orange Beach vs. Gulf Shores: A First-Person Guide to Homes, Condos, HOA Fees, and True Monthly Carry in the $350k–$500k Range

I’m Meredith Folger Amon, a Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor, licensed in Alabama and Florida. If you’re weighing Orange Beach against Gulf Shores—and choosing between a single-family home or a condo—this is my clear, first-person breakdown focused on the $350,000–$500,000 price band. I’ll cover neighborhoods, building styles, HOA fees, and the real monthly carry so you can compare apples to apples.

Orange Beach Alabama Homes Condos For Sale

Quick links to explore live listings and area guides on my site: Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ Gulf Shores — https://www.searchthegulf.com/gulf-shores/ Boating & waterfront primer —…

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Perdido Key Beach Mouse 101: What It Is, How It Affects New Construction, and What a “No-Capture” Letter Really Means

Perdido Key Beach Mouse Alabama Florida

In My Words: What the Beach Mouse Is

I’m Meredith Folger, a Gulf Coast real estate advisor who helps people navigate coastal property from Orange Beach to Perdido Key. The Perdido Key Beach Mouse (often shortened to “PKBM”) is a small, nocturnal mouse that lives in the dunes. It depends on native dune plants, seeds, and insects—and on dunes themselves remaining intact. Because the population is limited and sensitive to disturbance, it is federally protected. Protecting this species also protects the dunes that buffer our islands from storms and erosion.

Why This Matters for New Construction

On barrier islands,…

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How a Reservation & Payment Schedule Works in Gulf Coast New Construction


I’m Meredith, your Gulf Coast real estate advisor. Below is a clear example of how a reservation and payment schedule can work for a new construction development on the coast. Every developer has their own process and documents, so consider this a helpful guide, not a substitute for your specific contract. This walk-through also assumes a cash buyer. If you’re using financing, the flow usually tracks the same milestones through a construction-to-permanent (C2P) loan with lender-funded draws.

New Construction Gulf Coast Draws and Payments

If you’d like to compare active opportunities, start here:
Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/
Gulf Shores — https://www.searchthegulf.com/gulf-shores/
Ono…

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2025 Baldwin County Parade of Homes: North Hills at Fairhope Spotlight


Why I’m Highlighting North Hills at Fairhope

Each year, the Baldwin County Parade of Homes is my chance to walk through fresh design thinking and construction craft across our coast. This season, North Hills at Fairhope earned a special place on my list. The neighborhood’s setting—tall pines, gentle elevation, and a measured, architectural aesthetic—feels pitch-perfect for buyers who want privacy, intention, and a community that quietly yields timeless elegance. The collective design language is masterfully blended: thoughtful streetscapes, well-scaled homes, and outdoor living that captures Fairhope’s breeze and light. On an October afternoon you can catch the scent of…

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Converting a Garage into a Bedroom or Living Area on the Gulf Coast: My Honest Take

I’m Meredith Folger Amon. I help homeowners in Orange Beach, Ono Island, and Gulf Shores make smart, value-forward updates. This topic is controversial, and in my experience, I lean against full garage-to-bedroom conversions on the Gulf Coast. Time and again, I see these homes sit on the market longer. Buyers sense what I do the moment we cross the threshold—window placement feels off, transitions reveal slab breaks, and the space often reads dark. Even when permitted, the room can feel like a retrofit rather than a masterfully blended part of the plan.

Is a Garage Conversion a Good Idea on the Gulf Coast?

Sometimes—but not always. On our shoreline, the…

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Garage Skins on the Gulf Coast: Why They Matter and How to Get Them Right



On the Gulf Coast, curb appeal has to do more than look pretty—it has to perform in salt air, strong sun, and humidity. One upgrade I love for coastal homes is a garage skin: a skin, overlay, or cladding that gives an existing metal or insulated door a fresh, high-end look. Done well, it yields timeless elegance and can be masterfully blended with your home’s respective architecture—whether you’re in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or on Ono Island.

Quick Take

  • What: Garage skins are decorative and protective layers—faux-wood overlays, composite/PVC cladding, powder-coated skins, or designer panels—that attach to your existing garage door.
  • Why here: The right…

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Gulf Coast Homes That Exude Gulf Grandeur: A Guide to Aesthetics, Balance, and Lifestyle

gulf coast homes I’m Meredith Folger. I am a Gulf Coast Expert Real Estate Advisor, licensed in Alabama and Florida. I specialize in helping buyers and sellers navigate the buying and selling of homes along the Gulf Coast. My approach is shaped by intention—finding homes and neighborhoods where design, durability, and daily rhythms are masterfully blended. From Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ to Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ to Gulf Shores — https://www.searchthegulf.com/gulf-shores/, I help buyers and sellers cultivate a lifestyle that feels pitch-perfect for their respective needs. The aim is simple: every…

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