Stucco Homes on the Gulf Coast: Termite checks, maintenance, and prevention in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Ono Island.

STUCCO HOMES ON THE GULF COAST: KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND BULLET POINTS

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

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

I help buyers and sellers evaluate stucco homes from Orange Beach to Gulf Shores and Ono Island. Here are the most important points I coach clients on when it comes to stucco performance, maintenance, and prevention on the coast.

Big Idea

• It’s not about “stucco vs. EIFS.” Performance comes down to installation and detailing: terminations at grade, flashing at roof-to-wall, window/door sealing, drainage paths, and ongoing maintenance.

Immediate Red Flags

• Stucco touching the ground (soil or mulch)…

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Hurricane Ivan vs. Hurricane Sally: Gulf Coast Real Estate, Insurance & Resilience Guide

Insurance, Hurricanes, and Gulf Coast Real Estate: Lessons from Ivan and Sally

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

After Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Sally (2020), many Gulf Coast homeowners began asking the same questions about insurance coverage, premiums, and building standards. While the storms brought challenges, they also pushed our communities toward smarter building and better protection. Here are some of the most common questions I hear from homeowners and buyers in Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, and Dauphin Island.

Common Questions About Insurance After Ivan and Sally

Q: Did Ivan and Sally change how insurance…

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Understanding 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges on the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast

Understanding 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges on the Alabama Gulf Coast

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

Disclaimer

I am not a tax attorney, nor do I provide tax or legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a qualified tax attorney or CPA regarding your individual situation. Neither I, Meredith Folger Amon, nor Bellator Real Estate LLC, are responsible for decisions made based on the information provided here.

What is a 1031 Exchange?

A 1031 tax deferred exchange, named after Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows real estate investors to defer capital gains taxes when they…

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Windmill Ridge Road Homes & Waterfront Land for Sale | Gulf Shores, Alabama

Windmill Ridge Road Homes, Land, and Properties for Sale in Gulf Shores, Alabama

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

When buyers ask me where they can find the perfect balance of waterfront living, privacy, and proximity to the beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, I often point them toward Windmill Ridge Road. This sought-after stretch of real estate offers a rare blend of natural beauty, accessibility, and investment potential, making it one of the most desirable locations on the Gulf Coast.

Why Windmill Ridge Road Stands Out

Waterfront Living on Little Lagoon

Windmill Ridge Road is uniquely positioned along Little Lagoon, a…

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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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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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The Truth About Flood Zones and Insurance on Ono Island. Meredith Amon

THE TRUTH ABOUT FLOOD ZONES AND INSURANCE ON ONO ISLAND

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

When I talk with buyers about Ono Island, one of the first questions I often hear is, “What about flood insurance?” It’s a fair question — after all, this is a private island surrounded by the Intracoastal Waterway, Bayou St. John, and Old River. Living here is about embracing the water, but it also means understanding how flood zones and insurance play into the picture.

Flood Zones: What Buyers Need to Know

Every property on Ono Island falls into a flood zone, but not all zones are created equal. Some homes sit higher, on interior streets with added elevation, while others back right onto canals or the bay. The difference…

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Smart Lighting Systems for Luxury Gulf Coast Homes | Meredith Folger Amon

Smart Lighting Systems: Elevating Luxury Homes on the Gulf Coast

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

A New Era of Lighting on the Gulf Coast

One of the most exciting design trends I’m seeing in new construction and luxury homes along the Gulf Coast is the integration of smart lighting systems. I recently came across the WAC Home system, and I have to say, it’s a game-changer. Imagine walking into your home on Ono Island or in Orange Beach and having every light tailored to the mood — whether it’s bright daylight tones for morning productivity or a soft, warm glow to wind down after a day on the water.

Why Smart Lighting Matters

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Turquoise Place Orange Beach | Luxury Condos & Community Growth

Turquoise Place in Orange Beach: Luxury Condos and a Growing Community

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

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

When I drive along Perdido Beach Boulevard, my eyes go straight to Turquoise Place. With its turquoise-tinted glass and Gulf-front presence, it is the largest and one of the most recognizable condominium properties in Orange Beach. For owners and buyers, Turquoise Place represents elevated coastal living with expansive views, generous floor plans, and resort-style amenities in the heart of town.

A zoning update that improved access

In 2022, a zoning change from single-family residential to Planned Unit Development (PUD)…

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Wind Drift Condos Orange Beach | Renovations & Buyer Benefits

Wind Drift Condos: Renovations Elevate This Orange Beach Gem

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

A Fresh Start in 2025

The Wind Drift Condominiums in Orange Beach, Alabama have just completed a major round of improvements in 2025, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. The buildings now boast a crisp white exterior that perfectly complements the Gulf Coast setting. For owners and buyers alike, this is one of the most exciting updates the property has seen in years.

Best of all, the seller has already paid the assessments for this work—which means the buyer will reap the benefits without taking on the cost.

2025…

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