Found 23 blog entries tagged as Gulf Shores real estate.

Retirement Move Planning

Moving to the Gulf Coast in 2026: A First-Person Guide to Water Views, Boat Slips, Condo Living, and Storm Readiness


 Moving to the Gulf Coast in 2026: A First-Person Guide to Water Views, Boat Slips, Condo Living, and Storm Readiness

Quick context: I hear from many homeowners who start their Gulf Coast plan exactly like this, with a clear timeline, a budget, and two strong lifestyle options: inland lake living with a slip, or coastal condo living with a view and boating access. This guide is how I help you compare both paths in a way that protects your time, your comfort level on the water, and your long-term cost of ownership.

In this guide 1) Pick your two paths, then define what “boating access” really means 2) Where people boat, and how to enjoy the water without feeling pressured offshore 3) Condo privacy and…

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Capital Gains Home Sale Exclusion (Section 121) for Coastal Owners: The Exceptions People Don’t Know



By Meredith Amon, Licensed In Alabama and Florida


Practical tax planning for Gulf Coast homeowners

Important: This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Section 121 outcomes can change based on filing status, timing, and documentation. Your CPA or attorney should confirm your specific plan.

 

Capital Gains Home Sales Gulf Coast Real Estate

Disclaimer 

General information only. This content is provided for general educational purposes and should not be relied upon as tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice. Nothing in this content creates a client relationship, fiduciary relationship, or professional services engagement of any kind.

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Gulf Coast Lifestyle • New Year’s Day Tradition

Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip: Ringing in 2026 with a Gulf of Mexico Plunge

There are mornings on the Gulf Coast that feel pitch-perfect, even when the surf is cold enough to make you second-guess every life choice. New Year’s Day at the Flora-Bama Polar Bear Dip is one of them.

Meredith Folger Flora-Bama

A bright blue sky, a cold Gulf, and a collective countdown

I went to the Flora-Bama yesterday to welcome 2026 the way a lot of locals do it, with a quick dip into the Gulf of Mexico and a lot of laughter on the shoreline. The air had that crisp, post-front edge, but the sun was high and clean, and the beach was packed with people wrapped in towels, costumes, and courage.

“New Year’s on the line feels like…

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Buying an Income Property on the Gulf Coast: A Smart, Practical First-Step Guide

Real estate investing is different from most investments because your equity and profitability usually build slowly, especially early on. Between borrowing costs, reserves, and the reality that repairs happen on real timelines, an income property is often a long-term strategy, not an overnight win.

If you want to browse opportunities and track neighborhood trends, I keep it simple for buyers here: Search Gulf Coast real estate on SearchTheGulf.com.

Do You Have What It Takes to Own a Rental

A quick self-check before you shop

  • Are you comfortable with marketing your rental and handling showings, or hiring someone who will
  • Are you willing to…

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Selling on the Gulf Front: Is Your Property Show-Ready


When I walk into a gulf-front home or condo, I’m looking at two things at once. I’m soaking in the lifestyle — the light off the water, the sound of the surf, the way the breeze moves through a balcony door — and at the same time I’m seeing it through a buyer’s eyes. After more than twenty years in real estate, I know what sells on the Gulf Coast, and I’ve learned that small, strategic updates can make a meaningful difference in how quickly a property moves and how strong the offers feel.

If you’re considering selling your home or condo — whether in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or anywhere along our coastline — this is the show-ready guide I share with homeowners every week. None of it…

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2025 Homebuyer & Seller Trends — What This Year’s Data Means for Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key



As I study this year’s buyer and seller data, I’m focused on what it means for our stretch of shoreline—Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, and Perdido Key. The National Association of REALTORS® 2025 Generational Trends Report gives a clear picture of who’s moving, how they search, and what they buy—insight we can turn into smart action along the Gulf Coast.

Gulf Coast Real Estate Trends | Orange Beach, Ono Island, Perdido Key

Who’s Buying in 2025

Boomers remain the single largest cohort of buyers at a combined 42 percent, followed by Gen X at 24 percent. First-time buyers account for 24 percent overall—lower than last year’s 32 percent—so affordability and value positioning matter. …

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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…

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Garage Skins on the Gulf Coast: Why They Matter and How to Get Them Right



On the Gulf Coast, curb appeal has to do more than look pretty—it has to perform in salt air, strong sun, and humidity. One upgrade I love for coastal homes is a garage skin: a skin, overlay, or cladding that gives an existing metal or insulated door a fresh, high-end look. Done well, it yields timeless elegance and can be masterfully blended with your home’s respective architecture—whether you’re in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or on Ono Island.

Quick Take

  • What: Garage skins are decorative and protective layers—faux-wood overlays, composite/PVC cladding, powder-coated skins, or designer panels—that attach to your existing garage door.
  • Why here: The right…

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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.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Alabama Homes and Condos

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…

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2780 W Beach Blvd — Gulf Shores, Alabama

Featured Lagoon-Front Listing with Deeded Gulf Access



A Boats + Beach Address That Lives Larger

I’m proud to feature 2780 W Beach Blvd as a rare dual-water lifestyle on West Beach—Little Lagoon in the back yard for calm-water days and a deeded Gulf access directly across W Beach Blvd for seamless beach time. This extra-deep parcel lives bigger than typical lots, creating a private outdoor envelope with room to breathe and plan. A newer pier with a covered dock makes staging paddleboards and smaller bay boats straightforward, and the raised construction combined with a Gold Fortified roof supports practical, low-stress ownership and clearer insurance conversations.  Listing page —…

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