Orange Beach and Ono Island Real Estate Update September

From Meredith

The Market, in My Words

Orange Beach, Ono Island & Gulf Shores Real Estate Market Update
August 27–September 2, 2026

This week along the Alabama Gulf Coast was a wonderful example of why I never judge a market by one headline—or even one average. Across the five segments I track in this report, 37 properties closed between August 27 and September 2, compared with 19 the week before. That is a meaningful lift in activity, but the price story was much more nuanced.

Orange Beach condo and townhome closings made the biggest jump, Gulf Shores houses and condos also gained momentum, and Ono Island held steady at three home sales. At the same time, several average sale prices moved lower because the mix of properties changed.…

2578 Views, 0 Comments

Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Condo Insurance Guide

Coastal Condominium Buyer Guide

Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Condos: What Should Buyers Know About Insurance?

Understanding the master policy, HO-6 coverage, flood insurance, named-storm deductibles and loss-assessment exposure before closing.

The Gulf views may capture your attention first, but insurance is one of the most important parts of purchasing a condominium in Orange Beach or Gulf Shores, Alabama. When I help buyers compare coastal condominiums, I do not look only at the residence, amenities, rental potential and association dues. I also want to understand how the building is insured, what the association’s master policy covers and where the individual owner’s responsibilities begin.

93 Views, 0 Comments

Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Condo Rental Income Guide

Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Condo Investment Insights

Orange Beach & Gulf Shores Condo Rental Income: What Buyers and Sellers Should Know

When I look at Orange Beach and Gulf Shores condos through an investment lens, I never look at rental income as one simple number. I look at the full story behind that number: the building, the view, the floor plan, the rental history, the owner usage, the condition of the condo, the amenities, the expenses, and the long-term resale appeal.

Recently, I reviewed a rental-income report prepared by a reputable local property management company in Orange Beach. The report compares the top three performing rental units by complex, including reported 2025 total rental income and 2026 January 1 through…

3374 Views, 0 Comments

Coastal Real Estate in Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Florida and Alabama

Why Coastal Buyers Are Comparing Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Florida and Alabama Gulf Coast Real Estate

Coastal Real Estate Is About More Than the Property

Some coastal destinations stay with me because they remind me why people fall in love with waterfront living in the first place. For me, Puerto Aventuras, Mexico is one of those places.

Located along the Riviera Maya between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Puerto Aventuras offers a marina-centered lifestyle with Caribbean water, boating convenience, walkable restaurants, golf carts, sunshine and a sense of relaxed sophistication. It feels different from the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast, of course, but the lifestyle priorities are beautifully familiar.

Whether someone is searching…

71 Views, 0 Comments

Buying a Gulf Coast Condo: Orange Beach vs Gulf Shores vs Perdido Key

Gulf Coast Condo Guide

Buying a Gulf Coast Condo: Which Area Fits You Best, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, or Gulf Shores

When someone asks me, “Where should I buy a condo on the Gulf Coast,” my answer is usually another question: What do you want this condo to do for you? Some buyers want a pure lifestyle place they will use often. Others want strong short-term rental performance. Some want boating access. Some want a quieter footprint. The good news is that https://www.searchthegulf.com/beach-condos/ makes it easy to compare inventory across Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key in one place. 

My best advice is to pick your area first, then pick your building. Location determines your rental rules, your boating options,…

3504 Views, 0 Comments

Condo Insurance Assessments on the Gulf Coast | What Buyers Should Know

Condo Ownership Explained

Insurance Assessments for Gulf Coast Condos: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How to Plan for Them

I hear a version of this question all the time from buyers, sellers, and even long-time condo owners along the Gulf Coast: “Is this a special assessment” The short answer is that it depends on what is being assessed and why.

My rule of thumb: a true “special assessment” usually funds a physical project, while an “insurance assessment” often funds a yearly, ongoing operating cost that can fluctuate dramatically on the Gulf Coast.

Two assessments that get confused

1) The traditional special assessment (project-driven)

This is the one most people think of first. The association has a…

1954 Views, 0 Comments

Gulf Coast Condo Investments & ROI in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores | Meredith Folger Amon

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

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…

2081 Views, 0 Comments

Best Income-Producing Condo in Orange Beach, Alabama | Investor Insight by Meredith

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.

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…

4755 Views, 0 Comments

Orange Beach vs. Gulf Shores: What $350k–$500k Buys — Homes vs. Condos

Orange Beach vs. Gulf Shores, Alabama: What $350,000–$500,000 Buys — Homes vs. Condos

I work every day with buyers comparing Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, and the question I sometimes hear is simple: “In the $350,000–$500,000 range, should we buy a single-family home or a condo, and which city fits us best?” Here’s my straightforward, first-person guide using real-world examples and carrying-cost insights so you can decide with clarity.

At a Glance: How the Markets Feel Today

• Price Focus: $350,000–$500,000
• Orange Beach: Tighter single-family inventory at this level; stronger access to Gulf-front or near-Gulf condos with robust amenities.
• Gulf Shores: Better selection of single-family homes in this band; deep bench of…

4584 Views, 0 Comments

Orange Beach and Gulf Shores Home And Condo Activity May 11, 2025

Just Listed: Homes & Condos Across Orange Beach and Gulf Shores

By Meredith Amon | SearchTheGulf.com

From sun-splashed balconies to private docks on Old River and Little Lagoon, the latest listings in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores capture the essence of coastal Alabama living. Whether you're looking for a Gulf-front condo, a boater’s paradise, or a custom-built beach house, this market is buzzing with opportunity.

Let’s dive into some of the most exciting new and active listings on the market:

Beachfront Condos with Resort Amenities

Phoenix Condominiums (V, VII, III, IV & Gulf Tower Phase II)
From $625,000 to over $2.1M, these beloved Gulf-front towers offer two- to four-bedroom units with strong rental income potential. Units like…

7279 Views, 0 Comments