Building Concrete Pile-Ons: A Strong Foundation for Waterfront Homes on the Gulf Coast and Ono Island

Building on Concrete: A Strong Foundation for Waterfront Homes on Ono Island

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

On Ono Island, homes are built on different types of foundations depending on the lot and elevation. Interior homes are often built on slabs or stem walls, while many waterfront residences are elevated on pilings  to help protect against storm surge and fluctuating water levels. Traditionally, these supports have been treated wood. But many savvy homeowners and builders today are opting for concrete pilings for their waterfront builds.

I recently had the chance to watch this process in action, and it was impressive to see…

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Hurricanes Ivan and Sally: Frequently Asked Questions About Their Impact on the Alabama Gulf Coast

Hurricanes Ivan and Sally: Frequently Asked Questions About Their Impact on the Alabama Gulf Coast

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

I’m often asked by homeowners and buyers how past hurricanes have affected Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, and Dauphin Island. To make this easier, I’ve put together a comprehensive Q&A guide about Hurricane Ivan (2004) and Hurricane Sally (2020)—two storms that struck exactly sixteen years apart, both on September 16th.

These questions cover storm categories, wind speeds, rainfall, flooding, recovery times, insurance impacts, and what we’ve learned since.

General Storm Questions

Q: What…

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End of September Gulf Coast Boating & Real Estate Guide

End of September Gulf Coast Boating & Real Estate Guide

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

As September winds down, the Gulf Coast offers one of its best-kept secrets—calmer waters, golden sunsets, and a lifestyle that locals savor once the summer crowds head home. Whether you’re boating out of Orange Beach, spending time on Ono Island, or exploring waterfront real estate opportunities, this is a season when the Gulf Coast truly shines.

Boating on the Gulf Coast in Late September

Ideal Conditions

The water is still warm from summer, but the air is cooler and less humid. Afternoon thunderstorms are fewer, making for more…

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Understanding Income Taxes and Property Taxes on the Gulf Coast: Florida vs. Alabama. Real Estate

Understanding Income Taxes and Property Taxes on the Gulf Coast: Florida vs. Alabama

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

When I work with buyers and sellers across the Gulf Coast, one of the most common questions I hear is, “How do taxes work between Florida and Alabama when it comes to real estate?” Because I’m licensed in both states, I’m often helping clients compare property ownership and investment strategies across the state line. While I always advise speaking directly with a CPA or tax attorney for your specific situation, I want to share some key insights I’ve learned over my career.

Primary Residences in Florida vs. Alabama

…

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Opal Condos, Orange Beach AL — Ultra-Private, One-Per-Floor Residences

Opal Condominiums, Orange Beach: A Private, One-Residence-Per-Floor Address on the Gulf

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
“Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.”

What I Love About Opal in Orange Beach

When buyers ask me about the most private, low-density luxury option directly on the sand in Orange Beach, Opal is always part of the conversation. With only 13 residences — one per floor — Opal Condos delivers the feel of a private penthouse from the elevator to the foyer. The separation from typical high-rise crowds is immediate: secure, gated entry, a coded lobby, and your own enclosed garage with additional assigned parking.

“Stepping off the elevator into a…

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Alabama Homebuyer’s Guide to Inspection Contingencies

Alabama Homebuyer’s Guide to Inspection Contingencies

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
“Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.”

On the Gulf Coast—from Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to Ono Island—the inspection contingency is one of the most important protections a buyer has. Below is a clear, practical guide that blends real-world lessons with plain-English steps so you can navigate the process confidently.

What This Guide Covers

• A buyer-friendly summary of how inspection contingencies work in Alabama

• The negotiation sequence and where addendums fit

• Timelines, deadlines, and how to avoid “gray areas”

• Two practical examples (broken window, hot…

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Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Sally: A Gulf Coast Real Estate Guide to Storm Impacts in Orange Beach, Ono Island, and Beyond

Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Sally: A Gulf Coast Real Estate Guide to Storm Impacts in Orange Beach, Ono Island, and Beyond

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon

When people ask me about living on the Alabama Gulf Coast, one of the most important conversations we have is about hurricane history. Two storms—Hurricane Ivan (2004) and Hurricane Sally (2020)—stand out because of their timing, force, and the lessons they left behind. Both struck on September 16th, exactly sixteen years apart, yet their approaches, speeds, and aftermaths were dramatically different.

As a real estate advisor on the Gulf Coast, I see how these storms shaped building…

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1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges in Gulf Breeze & Gulf Coast | Meredith Folger Amon

1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges on the Gulf Coast: What Investors Need to Know

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

As a Gulf Coast real estate advisor, I often talk with investors who want to maximize their portfolios while minimizing taxes. One of the most powerful tools available is the 1031 tax-deferred exchange. Whether you’re considering investment properties in Gulf Breeze, Florida, or exploring opportunities in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key, Pensacola, Destin, or along 30A and Santa Rosa Beach, a 1031 exchange can open doors for wealth building and long-term growth.

That said, it’s important to note that I am not a tax…

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Alabama Home Inspection Contingency Explained | Meredith Folger Amon, Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor

How the Inspection Contingency Works in Alabama: A Buyer & Seller Guide

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
“Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.”

 In plain English, here’s how the inspection contingency works in the Alabama real estate purchase agreement—timelines, addendums, what “all other terms remain the same” really means, and what buyers and sellers should do to stay protected.

Alabama real estate inspection contingency explained

I’m Meredith Folger Amon, a Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor serving Orange Beach, Ono Island, and surrounding markets along the Gulf Coast. In a recent negotiation, the buyer requested two items after inspections: a broken window…

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Coastal Transformations, LLC | Sustainable Wetlands Protection & Outdoor Living

Coastal Transformations, LLC: Protecting and Elevating Coastal Living

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon

When you live along the Gulf Coast, you quickly learn that waterfront property comes with both beauty and responsibility. The same waters that give us sunsets, boating, and breezes also bring erosion, flood risks, and complicated regulations. I’ve seen homeowners fall in love with their dream property only to feel overwhelmed by the challenges of wetlands, conservation easements, and unusable upland areas. That’s why I want to share the story of Coastal Transformations, LLC — a company changing the way we think about protecting and enjoying…

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