How to Spot a Rip Current in Orange Beach, Alabama

Orange Beach Safety Guide for Coastal Homeowners and Visitors
By Meredith Amon,  Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor
www.searchthegulf.com

Orange Beach Alabama Rip Currents

As a real estate advisor living in Orange Beach, Alabama,, I not only help buyers find the perfect waterfront or beach-access home—I also believe in sharing valuable insights about what it means to live safely and confidently on the Alabama Gulf Coast. One of the most important coastal safety lessons every homeowner, guest, or visitor should understand is how to spot a rip current.

It’s not just about being cautious; it’s about being informed. Here’s what I share with my clients, neighbors, and anyone enjoying the water in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or …

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Waterfront Living on Ono Island: A Boater’s Guide to the Best Lots, Canals, and Deep Water Access

By Meredith Amon, Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor & Ono Island Homeowner
Explore Ono Island Properties »

Ono Island Waterfront Homes and Properties

When it comes to waterfront living on the Alabama Gulf Coast, there’s nothing quite like Ono Island. As a gated island community in Orange Beach, it offers a rare combination of privacy, luxury, and unmatched water access. But not all waterfront lots are created equal—and understanding the island’s geography is key to making a smart real estate decision, especially if boating is part of your lifestyle.

Here’s what every buyer should know about deep-water lots, canal-front homes, and bridge-locked sections on Ono Island.

Prime…

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New to Boating on the Gulf Coast? Here’s What You Need to Operate Legally in Alabama

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

If you're planning to operate a boat in Alabama, whether you're a resident or just enjoying a day on the water in places like Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or Perdido Bay, it’s important to understand the legal requirements. Here's a clear breakdown:

Alabama Boating Requirements

Boater’s License (Mandatory for All Operators)

In Alabama, all motorized vessel operators—including personal watercraft (PWC) like Jet Skis—must possess a boating license if they are 12 years of age or older.

How to Get a Boating License in Alabama:

  1. Take a…

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The 2025 Gulf Coast Masters: A Premier MBGFC Tradition on Alabama’s Coast

By Meredith Amon, Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor 

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

Mobile Big Game Fishing Club Memorial Day Weekend 2025

Each year, one tournament stands out as the signature kickoff to the Gulf Coast’s deep-sea fishing season—the Gulf Coast Masters, hosted by none other than the Mobile Big Game Fishing Club (MBGFC). This Memorial Day weekend tradition isn’t just about who lands the biggest marlin—it’s about legacy, sport, and the remarkable community of anglers who return to Orange Beach Marina each spring to compete, connect, and celebrate the lifestyle that defines this coast.

A Tournament Backed by Heritage and Prestige

The MBGFC is one of the most…

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Gulf Shores Takes Flight: What New Commercial Air Service Means for Gulf Coast Real Estate

By Meredith Amon, Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor
Licensed in Alabama & Florida 

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon

GUlf Shores Alabama Airport Commercial Flights

For decades, Gulf Shores has been one of the Gulf Coast’s best-kept secrets—accessible mostly by car or private aircraft, cherished by those who made the extra effort to reach our pristine beaches, quiet canals, and authentic coastal lifestyle. As someone who lives here on Ono Island and works daily with buyers and sellers throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Perdido Key, I’ve seen firsthand how this seclusion added to our charm, while also presenting some logistical limitations for those…

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Interest Rates, GDP, and the Housing Market: A Strategic Outlook for Gulf Coast Real Estate

By Meredith Amon
Licensed in Alabama & Florida | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor 

In luxury real estate, timing the market is about more than just watching listing trends. It requires understanding the deeper relationship between macroeconomic forces—like GDP growth and monetary policy—and the local housing market. As someone who lives and works on the Gulf Coast, I watch these signals closely because they directly shape the behavior of buyers, sellers, and lenders alike.

This year, the conversation has turned sharply toward interest rates, inflation moderation, and political pressure to stimulate economic growth. And with President Donald Trump…

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Margaritaville Resort Breaks Ground at The Wharf: A New Era Begins in Orange Beach


By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
SearchTheGulf.com


Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach Alabama

On May 15, 2025, I stood at The Wharf in Orange Beach and watched history in the making. Construction officially began on what promises to be one of the most dynamic and game-changing resort communities on Alabama’s Gulf Coast—Margaritaville Resort Orange Beach.

For those of us who live, work, and play here, this isn’t just another development—it’s a bold reimagining of what coastal living and vacationing can look like. With its roots in music, relaxation, and escape, the Margaritaville brand is now anchoring a $300+ million lifestyle destination that blends fun, function, and…

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Overflow Parking Options Along Alabama’s Beaches


By Meredith Amon | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor – Licensed in Alabama & Florida

Orange Beach Alabama Parking

Parking along Alabama’s stunning Gulf Coast can be tricky, especially during peak season when visitors bring more cars, golf carts, and even trailered boats than many vacation properties can accommodate. I often help second-home buyers and rental property owners plan for overflow parking—and now, I’ve compiled this go-to list of secure and reliable options for parking extra vehicles near Orange Beach and Gulf Shores.


 Parking Lots for Extra Vehicles

These businesses in Orange Beach offer designated spaces for cars—and some even allow trailers and boats:

…
Business Phone City CARS BOATS RVS

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Understanding Deeds in Alabama Foreclosure Sales: What Buyers Need to Know


By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Alabama Foreclosures and Deeds Real Estate

If you’re thinking about purchasing a foreclosed property through a bank in Orange Beach or anywhere along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, it’s important to go beyond price and location and focus on one of the most critical elements of the transaction: the type of deed you'll receive at closing.

In Alabama, bank-owned properties (often referred to as REO—Real Estate Owned) come with their own unique set of legal considerations. One of the most important? The type of deed used to convey ownership—and how it affects your rights, your risk, and your plans, especially if you want to build or renovate quickly.

Types of Deeds…

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Why the Cabo 35 Express Is a Standout Sportfishing Yacht for Orange Beach and Ono Island

By Meredith Amon | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor – Licensed in Alabama & Florida

Orange Beach Alabama Cabo Express Yacht

Living on Ono Island and spending countless hours on the water here in Orange Beach, I’ve come to appreciate the boats that strike the perfect balance between performance, function, and beauty. One vessel that consistently turns heads—and delivers on every front—is the Cabo 35 Express. Whether you’re chasing marlin in the Gulf or cruising over to Robinson Island, this sportfishing yacht is a true standout.


What Makes the Cabo 35 Perfect for the Gulf Coast

The Cabo 35 Express was built with both offshore performance and coastal comfort in mind. At 37'6" overall with a …

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