Building a Boathouse on Ono Island: A Guide for Waterfront Property Owners on Bayou St. John & Old River

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

Ono Island Boathouses Old River Bayou St. John

When it comes to building a boathouse on Ono Island, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach—especially along the big water lots of Bayou St. John and Old River. As a homeowner and local real estate advisor who specializes in waterfront and boater-friendly properties, I’m often asked: What exactly is allowed when constructing a pier or boathouse?

Whether you’re dreaming of sunset cruises, weekend fishing trips, or housing a custom offshore boat, here’s everything you need to know before you…

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Fort Barrancas – Pensacola, Florida


Pronounced: buh-RANG-kiss

Living along the Gulf Coast, I’m constantly discovering new layers of beauty and meaning in the landscapes around us. Some of the most impactful stories aren’t told through words—but through places. Fort Barrancas, sitting proudly above Pensacola Bay’s high bluffs, is one of those places that makes you stop, breathe deeply, and imagine what came before.

This is no ordinary coastal fort. Fort Barrancas is a symbol of strategy, craftsmanship, and military might—built first by the Spanish in the late 1700s, then expanded into a formidable stronghold by the United States in the 1800s. Today, it stands as part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, nestled within what is now Naval Air…

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Understanding Title Insurance When Buying or Selling on Ono Island


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

Title Insurance Ono Island Orange Beach Alabama

When you're buying or selling property on Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama, one of the most important—but often overlooked—parts of the transaction is title insurance. I work with both buyers and sellers on the island, and one of the most common questions I receive is: What exactly is title insurance, and why do I need it?

In this guide, I’ll explain how title insurance works, what a title commitment includes, and how to review an ALTA Commitment for Title Insurance—so you can approach your closing with confidence.

What Is Title…

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Utilities on Ono Island: What Every Homeowner Should Know

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

Ono Island Orange Beach Alabama Homes For Sale

As a full-time resident and real estate advisor specializing in Ono Island properties, I’m often asked what kind of utilities are available on the island—and how they differ from mainland neighborhoods in Orange Beach. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering buying, building, or investing in this one-of-a-kind private island community.

Underground Utilities

Ono Island is thoughtfully developed with underground utilities throughout the neighborhood. This preserves the natural beauty of the area, protects utility lines from storm damage, and enhances the…

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What You Need to Know About Alabama Withholding Taxes for Nonresidents When Buying or Selling on Ono Island and Orange Beach



Ono Island Alabama Withholding Tax Real Estate Orange Beach Alabama


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

As a homeowner and real estate advisor specializing in Ono Island and Orange Beach, I often work with buyers and sellers who live out of state. One topic that comes up frequently—and sometimes catches people off guard—is Alabama’s nonresident withholding requirement during a real estate sale.

Whether you’re selling a vacation home, investment property, or even a piece of land, understanding how Alabama handles state income tax withholding for nonresidents is critical to avoiding…

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Experience the Oasis at Orange Beach: Phoenix West II Condos Redefined


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

Oasis Condos Phoenix West II Orange Beach Alabama

If you're looking for one of the most amenity-rich condo experiences on the Gulf Coast, let me introduce you to The Oasis at Orange Beach, also known as Phoenix West II. As a real estate advisor and local expert, I can confidently say that this property offers some of the most comprehensive resort-style amenities available anywhere in Orange Beach, Alabama.

I’ve worked with buyers and owners in this building for years, and it consistently ranks as a favorite—not just for its location and views, but for the lifestyle it delivers year-round…

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A Hidden Slice of Paradise: A Perfect Day on the Water from Orange Beach

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

Search The Gulf Meredith Amon


Over the weekend, I shared a perfect coastal escape with a few dear friends—one of those days that reminds me exactly why I live on the Gulf Coast. We set out from Orange Beach on a 30-minute boat ride in search of a hidden stretch of shoreline that’s only accessible by water. What we found felt like something straight from a dream.

The journey itself was peaceful. The sky was painted in soft blues, and the Gulf shimmered beneath us. The water was so clear that every ripple glowed with hues of turquoise, silvers, and glints of gold.…

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A Boater’s Guide to Building a Boathouse on Ono Island Canals

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

Ono Island Canal Boathouses Docks Contruction

As a homeowner and real estate advisor on Ono Island, one of the most common questions I receive from clients purchasing canal-front property is: Can I build a boathouse? The answer is yes—with careful planning, the right design, and an understanding of the specific rules that apply to canal lots on Ono Island.

The Ono Island Architectural Control Committee (ACC) has developed a thoughtful set of guidelines to preserve our canal systems while allowing for private enjoyment of waterfront living. If you’re looking to build a pier or boathouse on the…

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Understanding 1031 Tax-Deferred Exchanges on Ono Island


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

Ono Island 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges

As a real estate advisor and homeowner on Ono Island, I frequently work with buyers and sellers exploring ways to strategically manage capital gains when transitioning from one investment property to another. One of the most effective tools in real estate investment is the Section 1031 exchange, also known as a tax-deferred exchange. This guide is designed to help you understand how a 1031 exchange works—particularly if you're considering buying or selling investment property on Ono Island.

That said, I am not a tax advisor or CPA, and I strongly encourage…

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Understanding As-Built Surveys on Ono Island: What They Are and Why They Matter 

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

Ono Island As-Built Survey


As a homeowner and real estate advisor on Ono Island, I often get detailed questions from out-of-state buyers who are new to building along the Gulf Coast. One that comes up frequently is:
“What is an as-built survey, and how is it different from a regular survey?”

Whether you’re building a new home, adding a pool, or constructing a pier and boathouse, understanding the purpose of an as-built survey is essential to closing out your project and staying compliant with the Ono Island Architectural Control Committee (ACC).

Let me…

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