1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges: Orange Beach vs. Gulf Highlands | Gulf Coast Real Estate

1031 Exchanges: Orange Beach vs. Gulf Highlands | Gulf Coast Real Estate

I recently had a great conversation with a client preparing to sell her out of state rental property and reinvest in the Gulf Coast using a 1031 tax-deferred exchange. She and her husband have multiple homes and are now looking for something coastal—private, peaceful, and profitable.

She told me she loved the look and feel of Gulf Highlands, Florida, where the homes sit on larger lots and you’re not staring directly into your neighbor’s window. She’s also open to Navarre and Perdido Key, but kept circling back to Orange Beach, Alabama as a possible “sleeper” market with upside potential. And I couldn’t agree more.

Florida vs. Alabama: Where Should You Invest?

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Why Orange Beach, Alabama Stands Out for Vacation Rental Investors

Why Orange Beach, Alabama Stands Out for Vacation Rental Investors

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

As a real estate advisor with experience in both the Florida Panhandle and the Alabama Gulf Coast, I often help buyers and sellers navigate markets like, Orange Beach, and Destin Florida. Each of these destinations offers something truly special—but from a purely investment-minded perspective, I see Orange Beach as uniquely advantageous.

Let me explain why—and offer a few insights about property management fees, taxes, and commissions that can directly impact your bottom line.

Vacation Rental Performance Comparison

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Behind the Scenes of a Coastal Development: What I Learned About Building for Vacation Rentals

Behind the Scenes of a Coastal Development: What I Learned About Building for Vacation Rentals

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

Property Development on the Gulf: What You Need to Know About Vacation Rentals in Today’s Market

Not every coastal development idea translates easily into reality—especially in Orange Beach, Alabama, where city regulations, shifting tourism patterns, and insurance challenges can complicate even the most promising plan.

This week, I sat down with a developer, city planning contacts, and stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility of building townhomes for vacation rentals on a multi-lot property just steps from the…

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New Construction Ono Island Homes | Sales Trends and Market Activity 2025

NEW CONSTRUCTION ONO ISLAND SALES AND ACTIVITY 

The new construction market on Ono Island continues to show defined buyer preferences, active movement in key price ranges, and steady overall demand. Here’s a breakdown of what’s happening, what it means, and how you can take advantage of the current market trends.

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Frame vs. Block: Why Gulf Coast Homes Are Built with Wood

Why Most Homes on Ono Island and in Orange Beach Are Wood-Framed — Not Concrete Block

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

As a real estate advisor specializing in luxury homes and new construction on Ono Island and across Orange Beach, one of the most frequent questions I hear from buyers relocating from Florida or other coastal markets is:
"Why are homes here wood-framed instead of built with cinder block?"

It’s a great question—and the answer lies in local building practices, engineering strategy, regional climate conditions, and cost-effective fortified construction. Here’s a breakdown of what’s behind the frame-first…

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A Summer Evening at OSO and Bear Point Marina

A Summer Evening at OSO and Bear Point Marina

By Meredith Amon

There’s something magical about a summer evening in Orange Beach, and nowhere is that more evident than at Bear Point Marina and OSO at Bear Point Harbor.

As the sun began to slip below the horizon, casting its final glow over the Gulf waters, I found myself drawn to the gentle hum of the marina. Boats rocked softly in their slips, their silhouettes striking against the fiery gradient of the sky. The air was warm, salty, and filled with the kind of peace only a coastal evening can offer.

I wandered past the glowing string lights wrapped around the dockside bar, where friends were gathered over cold drinks and the occasional guitar strum floated through the air.…

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Gulf Coast Flooring. RiteRug Flooring Comes to You — Why Gulf Coast Buyers and Sellers Are Loving It

RiteRug Flooring Comes to You — Why Gulf Coast Buyers and Sellers Are Loving It

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

As a Gulf Coast real estate advisor based in Orange Beach, I’m always looking for ways to help my buyers, sellers, builders, and investor clients add value and simplify the process—and I’ve found a flooring partner that’s worth talking about: RiteRug Flooring.

This past week, I had the pleasure of meeting with William Moseley, Sales Manager with RiteRug, and it’s clear that this company isn’t just in the flooring business—they’re in the solutions business. Whether you’re in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Perdido Key, Pensacola,…

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What I'm Seeing in New Construction: Insulation Trends on Ono Island

Insulation in New Construction Homes on Ono Island: What I’m Seeing on Site Tours

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

Lately, I’ve been touring a number of new construction homes with clients on Ono Island and in Orange Beach, Alabama, and one consistent topic that comes up is how these homes are insulated. As interest in energy efficiency and storm resilience grows, insulation is no longer an afterthought—it’s a key part of how high-end coastal homes are built.

Here are the insulation trends and techniques I’ve observed on recent job site visits.

Spray Foam in the Roof Deck

Many of the homes under construction…

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Exploring Ono Island Homes for Sale? Here's Where to Start

How to Search for Ono Island Homes for Sale — Beyond Just Zillow

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

When it comes to searching for a home on Ono Island, many start with familiar real estate platforms like Zillow. It’s a great place to get a sense of pricing, architecture, and general location. But if you’re truly serious about purchasing on this private island in Orange Beach, I always suggest pairing your online search with a deeper, more customized approach—one that brings in the perspective of someone who lives here and knows the island’s unique characteristics.

Why Ono Island is So Unique

Ono Island is unlike any other community along…

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Who Is the Most Famous Person from Alabama Today? | Written By Meredith Amon

Who Is the Most Famous Person from Alabama Today?

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

Living along the Gulf Coast, I’m always inspired by the people who’ve risen from small towns and Southern roots to make a national—or even global—impact. So who holds the title of the most famous person from Alabama today?

The truth is, it’s hard to pick just one. Alabama has birthed legends in politics, sports, music, and entertainment. Depending on who you ask and what inspires you most, that “most famous” title might change. But here are a few names that I hear come up time and again.

Brittney Howard, the powerhouse vocalist of Alabama Shakes, is another…

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