Found 72 blog entries tagged as Gulf Coast real estate.

Morning Light on Ole River: A November Walk on Ono Island


This morning on Ono Island, I did what I love most before the day fills with calls, showings, and construction conversations. I grabbed the leash, my camera, and walked the water. November on the island is a softer month. The light sits lower, the air carries that clean salt-and-pine blend, and Ole River looks like brushed metal before the sun climbs over the horizon.Ono Island luxury homes for sale

As I rounded the bend by the boathouses, the sky opened. The sun rose in a low amber line over the far shoreline, and the clouds began to streak in layers of gold, rose, and blue-gray. The docks and pilings became silhouettes. It was the kind of Gulf Coast sunrise that makes you stop and just stand still, even if the…

1488 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

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…

7034 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

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…

2961 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post


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…

621 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

What I’m Seeing on the Coast Right Now: Contract Lessons, 1031 Strategy, and Local Moves Shaping Value

Earlier this week, I sat down with colleagues to compare notes on contracts, market balance, and the steady drumbeat of local planning decisions in Orange Beach and nearby corridors. The conversation ranged from mold and crawlspace protocols to an unusual assignment request on one of my beach condo deals. Below is my first-person recap with the takeaways I’m giving my buyers and sellers today. For current property search and deeper context, start here: Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/, Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/, Gulf Coast condos — https://www.searchthegulf.com/condos/.

Ono Island Waterfront Homes

1) Contract…

2567 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post


Orange Beach Sportfishing Life at Perdido Pass | Meredith Amon


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


Orange Beach Alabama Sportsfishing

I took this photo along the channel where boats slip past the jetties and out toward the Gulf, one of my favorite vantage points in Orange Beach. The sportfisher eased by with outriggers set like wings, hull barely kissing the water. From the shoreline you can feel the quiet urgency of mornings like this—an open weather window, clean tide lines, and a crew that knows exactly where they’re headed.

Friends and neighbors who keep their boats at Orange Beach Marina talk about this moment as the reset before a long run. Coffee in one hand, radio checks in the other,…

3186 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post


Ono Island: Shoalwater Drive – Lot Sizes, Water Depths & Gulf Access

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

If you're considering Shoalwater Drive as your next home—or the perfect lot to build your dream waterfront property—this map-based guide is for you.

1. Wide, Deep Canals

Shoalwater Drive fronts a 60-foot wide canal that’s approximately 6 feet deep, thoughtfully dredged to accommodate larger boats comfortably. The generous width allows easy maneuvering, even for beamier vessels, and the depth is perfect for boats with 3–6 ft draft—especially those with lifts already in place.(Search The Gulf)

2. Direct and Unrestricted Gulf Access

One…

379 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post


Navigating Interest Rates: Tips for Purchasing a Condo in Orange Beach

Purchasing a condo in Orange Beach is an exciting opportunity, offering a lifestyle and investment potential that’s hard to match. However, I understand that current interest rates might be giving you pause. Let’s explore why investing in a condo here can still be a smart move and how to navigate interest rate concerns with confidence.

Focus on the Bigger Picture

While interest rates are an important factor, they’re just one piece of the puzzle. Orange Beach condos—especially those with Gulf-front views or boating amenities—maintain strong long-term value. Their rental income potential and appeal as vacation destinations make them a solid investment despite fluctuating…

5034 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

Exploring the Beauty of Shell Beach Near Ono Island and Alabama Pointe

As a local real estate advisor living and working in Orange Beach, Alabama, I find myself drawn to the unique gems of our coastal community. One of my personal favorites is Shell Beach, a serene and scenic stretch of shoreline located near Ono Island and Alabama Pointe. Whether you’re a local or visiting for the first time, Shell Beach offers a slice of coastal paradise with its picturesque views and tranquil setting.

A Hidden Coastal Treasure

Shell Beach, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of busier areas, is a place where nature takes center stage. The gentle waves lap against the shore, and the Gulf breeze carries the scent of salt and sea oats. It’s the perfect spot…

12115 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post

How Will the Canal Road Bridge and Intracoastal Waterway Bridge Transform Real Estate and Tourism in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach?

Canal Road Bridge Orange Beach Alabama

As a local real estate advisor in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, I’m closely following two significant infrastructure projects that are set to reshape our community: the new Intracoastal Waterway Bridge and the Canal Road Bridge. These projects promise to address long-standing traffic concerns while boosting accessibility, enhancing tourism, and driving up real estate values.

From conversations with clients to my own perspective as a resident, it’s clear these developments are game-changers for our area.

The Intracoastal Waterway Bridge: A Vision for 2026

The $52 million Intracoastal Waterway Bridge, along…

12968 Views, 0 Comments

Read Full Post