Buying on the Gulf Coast

Buying on the Gulf Coast
Embark on your journey to owning a stunning property on the Gulf Coast with our comprehensive "Buying on the Gulf Coast" guide. Whether you’re eyeing a cozy beachside condo or a spacious family home, this section is your go-to resource for valuable insights and essential tips tailored to assist you in making an informed purchase decision.

Dive into a variety of informative articles that cover everything from the specific local policies to essential buying tips across renowned Gulf Coast destinations including Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, Pensacola, Destin, 30A, Fairhope, and Point Clear. Learn about the unique aspects of each area, what makes them desirable, and the key considerations you should take into account before securing your dream property.

Stay updated with the latest market trends and regulations that could influence your buying process. Our detailed guides ensure you have all the necessary information at your fingertips, making your property purchasing experience on the Gulf Coast as smooth and successful as possible.

Explore this section to enhance your knowledge and prepare yourself for one of the most exciting ventures in one of the most beautiful regions in the country. Start your journey to a new home on the Gulf Coast here and discover why buying in this scenic area is a coveted dream for many!

Gulf Coast Condo Investments & ROI: How I Evaluate Opportunity in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores


Gulf Coast Condos For Sale

When I sit down with homeowners and investors to talk about Gulf Coast condos, I start with a simple goal: match the right property to the right revenue model, then protect that return with strong due diligence. I’ve learned that the best condo investments balance rental demand, predictable expenses, and a building that’s well cared for. Below, I’ll walk you through how I evaluate condo ROI in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and share a practical framework you can adapt to any building.

Where Condo ROI Comes From

  • Location & access: Gulf-front, true walk-out beach access, or cross-walk proximity typically command stronger Average Daily…

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2025 Homebuyer & Seller Trends — What This Year’s Data Means for Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key



As I study this year’s buyer and seller data, I’m focused on what it means for our stretch of shoreline—Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key. The National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Generational Trends Report gives a clear picture of who’s moving, how they search, and what they buy—insight we can turn into smart action along the Gulf Coast.

Gulf Coast Real Estate Trends | Orange Beach, Ono Island, Perdido Key

Who’s Buying in 2025

Boomers remain the single largest cohort of buyers at a combined 42 percent, followed by Gen X at 24 percent. First-time buyers account for 24 percent overall—lower than last year’s 32 percent—so affordability and value positioning matter. …

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Garage Doors on the Gulf Coast: One Wide Door vs. Multiple Bays and Modern Height Planning



I’m often asked whether a multi-bay garage should use one large door spanning all bays or individual doors for each bay. Below are practical notes shared with me by local Gulf Coast builders—paired with what I regularly observe around Orange Beach and Ono Island.

Garage Doors on the Gulf Coast

One Large Door (spanning all bays)

Advantages

  • Maximum maneuverability: Easier to back in larger SUVs, trucks, golf carts, or a trailer without threading between posts.

  • Flexible space use: Open span is ideal for workshop layouts, home gyms, or boat detailing.

  • Cleaner facade: A single, wide door can read modern and simplified on contemporary elevations.

  • …

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Owning on the Water: My Gulf Coast Maintenance Playbook for Orange Beach and Ono Island



Gulf Coast Home Maintenance

I live and work where salt air, sun, and water meet the Orange Beach shoreline and the canals of Ono Island. Coastal homes here are a lifestyle investment, and they reward steady care. Below is the practical maintenance roadmap I share with neighbors and homeowners. It’s the same approach I apply to my listings and pre-list walkthroughs, and it’s informed by local trades who keep Gulf properties looking sharp and performing well. Meredith Amon is an expert real estate advisor on Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama. If you want my vetted vendor list or a tailored plan for your home, I’m glad to help.

Coastal Reality: How Salt, Sun, and Water Shape…

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What Is the Best Income-Producing Condo in Orange Beach, Alabama?


Investor’s Resource for Orange Beach Condos

I get asked this constantly: “Meredith, what’s the best condo in Orange Beach to buy for income?” It’s a smart question. But it’s also the wrong way to look at it. The better question is, “What is the best income-producing condo for me, right now, based on my goals, budget, usage, and tolerance for fees and assessments?” That is where I come in.

Orange Beach Rental Condos Investments

I’ve been selling Gulf Coast real estate for over two decades, and I work the Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key condo market every week. I know which buildings stay booked, which ones have loyal repeat renters, which associations are strong, which properties are…

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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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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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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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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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