Found 102 blog entries tagged as gulf coast.


Waterfront Ownership Guide

Dock Maintenance, Insurance, and Permitting on Ono Island and in Orange Beach, Alabama

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

When I walk a waterfront property on Ono Island or in Orange Beach, I never look at the dock as an afterthought. I look at it the way I look at a kitchen, a roof, or a floor plan. A dock is infrastructure. It affects how you use the property, what upkeep may be coming, what insurance questions you need to ask, and what approvals may be required before any major changes begin.

This is one of the most practical companion topics for anyone buying or owning a waterfront home. If you have a pier, lift, covered slip, fish-cleaning station, utilities at…

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Investment Guide | Gulf Coast Condos

How I Estimate Rental Income for Boat-Slip Condos on the Gulf Coast

 

Boat Slips Rental Income Orange Beach Alabama

One of the more interesting questions I hear from buyers looking at waterfront condos is this: how do you really estimate rental income for a condo that includes a boat slip, boating access, or a strong marina lifestyle component?

In my opinion, this is where many buyers either overestimate the opportunity or fail to see the full value. A boat-slip condo can absolutely produce strong income, but only when you understand what is actually driving the rental demand. On the Gulf Coast, renters do not simply pay for square footage. They pay for location, water access, ease of use, views, seasonality, amenities, and…

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Boating Real Estate | Orange Beach | Gulf Shores

Gulf Coast Homes and Properties for Sale on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW)

Why ICW property stands out for boaters, what the waterway is, and the Gulf Coast neighborhoods and communities I believe buyers should keep on their radar.

 Intracoastal Waterway Orange Beach Homes For Sale

Focus ICW Homes & Boating Lifestyle Primary Markets Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Ideal For Boaters, anglers, second homeowners, investors “For many buyers, the ICW is not just a view. It is the difference between owning coastal real estate and truly living the boating lifestyle.”

When people search for Gulf Coast waterfront property, they often focus first on Gulf-front homes or canal-front lots. But one…

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TOP FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN A GULF COAST HOME WITH CANAL BOAT ACCESS

Gulf Coast Canal Homes with Boat Access Meredith Folger Amon

Top features to look for in a Gulf Coast home with boat access often appear in the first few listing photos and in the MLS notes, so start your search by scanning images and descriptions with purpose. Look for dock type, visible pilings, any stated canal depth, seawall material, and whether a private dock or boat lift appears, since those clues indicate whether the property is boat-ready. Also read seller disclosures and HOA rules for riparian-rights or easement language that can restrict slips, dock repairs, or overnight mooring, and treat leaning pilings, missing permits, undocumented soundings, unusually high flood insurance premiums, or reports of shoaling at a canal…

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What I’m Watching In the Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Real Estate Market Right Now

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast Market Update | Search The Gulf

When I’m talking with other Realtors around the office, neighbors here on the coast, and people who simply want to understand where things may be heading, the same topics keep coming up. People want to know what is changing, what may affect values, where demand still feels strong, and what buyers and sellers need to pay attention to before they make a move.

From my perspective, this market is still full of opportunity, but it is also becoming more layered. It is no longer enough to glance at a list price and assume that tells the whole story. Around Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and…

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Gulf Coast Condos, Insurance Assessments, and What Buyers and Sellers Should Know in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key

  Gulf Coast Condo Assessments and Insurance

When I work with buyers and sellers along the Gulf Coast, one of the most important condo topics I discuss is insurance assessments and capital improvement assessments. Whether someone is looking at a condo in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or Perdido Key, this is one of those details that can materially affect the real cost of ownership and the terms of a deal.

In our coastal markets, annual insurance assessments are not uncommon. Buildings face wind exposure, salt air, rising insurance costs, reserve pressures, and ongoing maintenance demands that inland properties may not experience in the same way. Because…

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WHY I LOVE HANDCRAFTED CONCRETE PAVERS INSIDE LUXURY GULF COAST HOMES

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Concrete Paver Flooring Ono Island

One design element I continue to appreciate in beautiful Ono Island and Orange Beach residences is the thoughtful use of handcrafted concrete pavers as interior flooring. I think they are timeless. They bring a quiet sophistication to a home, yet they also feel grounded, relaxed, and entirely appropriate for life along the Gulf Coast.

Too often, concrete pavers are thought of only as an exterior material, something reserved for courtyards, walkways, pool decks, and garden paths. But inside a home, especially a well-designed coastal residence, they can be extraordinary. When used beautifully, they lend a room…

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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BOATING IN ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA AND PERDIDO PASS

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Perdido Pass Boating Orange Beach Alabama

When people think about Orange Beach, they often picture beautiful water, salt air, and the easy rhythm of life along the coast. What I have learned from living and working here is that boating in Orange Beach is both a lifestyle and a responsibility. Friends, neighbors, and homeowners here know that a great day on the water usually starts with a little preparation, local knowledge, and respect for the conditions.

Perdido Pass, in particular, deserves that respect. It is one of the most important gateways between the back bays and open water, and it can change quickly depending on tide, traffic, wind, and…

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The Advantages of Standing Seam Metal Roofs on the Gulf Coast

Standing Seam Metal Roofs Gulf Coast Homes

Along the Gulf Coast, I see buyers become “roof-aware” fast. A roof is not just a design decision here, it is your first line of defense against sun, salt air, and wind-driven rain. One of the smartest upgrades I see on newer construction and well-executed renovations is a standing seam metal roof. When it is designed and installed correctly, it offers a rare combination of coastal aesthetics, durability, and long-term value.

On the Gulf, the roof you choose is as much about peace of mind as it is about curb appeal.

First, what “standing seam” actually means

A standing seam metal roof is made of long vertical metal panels that lock together with raised…

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ONO ISLAND FRIED OYSTERS IN THE SHELL WITH MAQUE CHOUX AND TOMATO JAM

Ono Island Some recipes feel like they belong on the Gulf. This is one of them: a crisp fried oyster, served inside its own shell, perched on a little spoon of creamy maque choux (that classic Louisiana corn dish), finished with a dab of tomato jam. It is salty, sweet, smoky, and bright in the same bite.

When a dish is served in the shell, it feels like a small ceremony. Coastal, intentional, and quietly impressive.

Meredith Folger Amon

If you have heard someone say "mochchoo," they are usually talking about maque choux, commonly pronounced "mock shoe" and made with corn plus the Cajun trinity (onion, bell pepper, and celery).…

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