Found 251 blog entries tagged as ono island.

Converting a Garage into a Bedroom or Living Area on the Gulf Coast: My Honest Take

I’m Meredith Folger Amon. I help homeowners in Orange Beach, Ono Island, and Gulf Shores make smart, value-forward updates. This topic is controversial, and in my experience, I lean against full garage-to-bedroom conversions on the Gulf Coast. Time and again, I see these homes sit on the market longer. Buyers sense what I do the moment we cross the threshold—window placement feels off, transitions reveal slab breaks, and the space often reads dark. Even when permitted, the room can feel like a retrofit rather than a masterfully blended part of the plan.

Is a Garage Conversion a Good Idea on the Gulf Coast?

Sometimes—but not always. On our shoreline, the…

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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…

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Building a Boathouse on Ono Island: My Owner’s Guide to “Big Water” vs. Canal Rules


Ono Island Old River Homes For Sale Waterfront

I’m Meredith Amon, a homeowner on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ and a Gulf Coast real estate advisor licensed in Alabama and Florida. I work with owners, architects, and builders to design boathouses that meet the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) standards while fitting the way you actually use your boat. The rules are different on Old River & Bayou St. John (what I call “big water”) versus canal lots, and understanding those differences up front saves time, money, and headaches.


You’ll find property search links and neighborhood guidance throughout this article, including Orange Beach…

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What Your Money Buys in an Orange Beach, Alabama Single-Family Homes


When I sit down with buyers searching for a house in Orange Beach, the first question is almost always the same: what does my budget really buy in today’s market. Below is a clear, first-person guide to price tiers, bedroom counts, neighborhoods, and the features I see most often—especially for those who want boating access, docks, and lifts. If you’re just getting started, my Orange Beach area page is a good jumping-off point: Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/.

Orange Beach Alabama Homes For Sale

Across current listings I’m tracking, the market stretches roughly $160,000 to $9,500,000, with a median around $769,000. About 62% of homes advertised are in a waterfront or water-oriented…

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Boathouses, Docks, and Piers on Ono Island: A Practical Owner’s Guide



Boathouses Ono Island

By sunset, Old River turns to gold and the silhouettes of boathouses and piers say everything about how we live on Ono Island. I’m often asked how to plan, permit, and build waterfront structures here—especially the differences between “big water” on Old River and Bayou St. John versus the interior canals. Below is the way I advise homeowners and buyers, with direct links to help you start smart.

Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/
Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/
Boating & Waterfront Living — https://www.searchthegulf.com/boating-accommodations-on-the-gulf-coast/
Ono Island New Construction —…

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Ono Island Permitting & Bridge Impact Fees: What I Tell My Buyers and Sellers



As a homeowner on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ and a real estate advisor focused on Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ and the surrounding waterways, I guide owners through the Architectural Control Committee (ACC) permitting steps and the Road & Bridge Impact Fees that fund wear-and-tear from construction traffic. Getting this right keeps your project moving and prevents costly delays.

Below is the straightforward flow I use when I’m mapping a project—whether it’s a new ICF build, a pool, or a boathouse on Old River, Bayou St. John, or the canals.

Ono Island Permitting and Impact Fees for Building and New Construction

The Permitting Flow I Recommend

  1. Scope & Pre-Design
    …

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Boating the Gulf Corridor: Orange Beach, Perdido Key & Ono Island

Boating the Gulf Corridor: Orange Beach, Perdido Key, Ono Island

On the Gulf Coast, our lives follow the tides. From Orange Beach to Ono Island and east to Perdido Key, I match buyers with the right home and the right water. Depths and drafts matter as much as porches and views—because your dock is your front door to adventure.

Quick Links: Ono Island listings · Orange Beach listings · Boating accommodations

The Waterways That Shape Our Days

Bayou St. John

Broad, protected water on the north side of the corridor. Steady depths and a forgiving lee make it ideal for year-round moorage and family cruising.

Old River

The south ribbon between Ono Island and Perdido Key. A scenic, reliable channel with sandbars along the inside…

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Waterfront Properties on Old River, Ono Island


Life Along Old River: The Southern Edge of Ono Island

As a homeowner and real estate advisor on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/, I’ve always been drawn to the quiet beauty and rhythm of Old River, the stretch of water that defines the island’s southern edge. Facing the Gulf of Mexico, this side of Ono Island offers something truly special — a landscape shaped by tides, breezes, and open water views that stretch toward the horizon.

Waterfront Ono Island Homes For Sale Alabama Florida

Homes and vacant lots on Old River are located along Ono Boulevard and River Road, both of which trace the shoreline and provide residents with direct access to boating, fishing, and waterfront living. The southern exposure brings a…

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How to Build Equity with New Construction on the Gulf Coast


Along the Gulf Coast, building a home isn’t just about creating a place to live—it’s about crafting equity from the ground up. I’ve spent years helping investors and homeowners turn land into legacy.  In markets like Orange Beach and Ono Island, new construction offers one of the most rewarding paths to long-term appreciation. Whether it’s a spec build, a second home, or a custom coastal retreat, strategic construction can significantly outperform the resale market when planned thoughtfully.

Build Equity with New Construction on Gulf Coast

My Investment Strategy: Buy, Build, Hold (or Sell)

The strategy is simple in principle but powerful in execution: purchase the right parcel of land, build smart with proven…

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30532 Ono North Loop West — Specifications


Location: Ono Island, Orange Beach, Alabama — gated

Address: 30532 Ono North Loop West, Ono Island (Orange Beach, Alabama)

Community Guide: Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/

Nearby Area Guides: Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ • New Construction on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/onoconstruction/

Ono Island New Construction Homes For Sale

Property Overview

  • Approx. Living Area: ~2,680 sq ft (single level)
  • Beds / Baths: 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths
  • Garage: Oversized three-car, no step from garage into main level (flat threshold)
  • Ceiling Heights: 16' in entry/great room core; ~10' typical elsewhere
  • Plan Notes:  Designed to live as a primary or vacation…

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