Garage-to-Bedroom Conversions on the Gulf Coast: Pros, Cons, Codes, and Resale

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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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…

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Top 5 Waterfront Restaurants to Boat To in Orange Beach, Alabama

Top 5 Waterfront Restaurants to Boat To in Orange Beach, Alabama

On the Orange Beach coast, dining and boating often go hand in hand. After a morning cruise past Ono Island or a slow drift through Bayou St. John, nothing beats pulling up to a dock, tying off, and sharing a meal overlooking the water. Here are my five favorite restaurants that capture the flavor, charm, and boating convenience of life on the Alabama Gulf Coast.

1. Zeke’s Landing Restaurant

Located at Zeke’s Marina off Canal Road, this full-service restaurant and marina hub offers slip-side dining and a refined menu featuring fresh Gulf catch. It’s a favorite for those returning from offshore trips. Draft depths average 10–14 ft (3.0–4.3 m), ideal for larger center…

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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.

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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Boating in Orange Beach, Alabama: A Complete Guide to Depths, Navigation, and Vessel Compatibility

Boating in Orange Beach, Alabama: A Complete Guide to Depths, Navigation, and Vessel Compatibility

The Heart of Gulf Coast Boating

In Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/, boating isn’t just a pastime; it’s the pulse of daily life. From early-morning anglers easing out of Terry Cove to sunset cruisers drifting past Robinson Island, the water is where our community gathers, explores, and connects. Over my years living and working along these shores, I’ve come to appreciate how uniquely diverse Orange Beach’s boating waters are — from deep-draft channels for sportfishing yachts to shallow coves perfect for pontoons and skiffs.

Understanding the Waterways

Orange Beach sits at the junction of several navigable bodies…

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How to Build Equity with New Construction on the Gulf Coast

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.

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 New Construction Home For Sale Ono Island

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/

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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Orange Beach and Ono Island Real Estate Market Update with Meredith Folger

Orange Beach Real Estate Market Update

I’ve pulled together a quick, data-forward update using the latest inventory-to-sales ratios and recent municipal actions that affect our market. If you’re watching homes on Ono Island — https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ — or considering a move anywhere in Orange Beach — https://www.searchthegulf.com/orange-beach/ — here’s the signal I’m seeing in the noise.

Market Overview (as of the September 2025 snapshot)

• Tight under $300k; looser above $400k. Entry-level segments show lean supply across coastal Baldwin County sub-markets.

• Orange Beach Condos: Months of supply (MOS) skews tight under $300k, then steps up meaningfully: roughly ~0.5–3.0 MOS below $300k; ~7.1 MOS at…

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Orientation: Light, Breeze, and View — Living with the Elements on Ono Island

Orientation: Light, Breeze, and View — Living with the Elements on Ono Island

There’s something deeply Southern about the way Ono Island breathes — the salt air, the sway of marsh grass, and the rhythm of tide and light. Here along Old River, the sun and wind dictate the day as surely as the church bells do in small coastal towns. The island’s southern exposure creates its own microclimate — breezier in summer, slightly warmer in winter — and orientation becomes the invisible design element that shapes how life unfolds.

Morning Light and Evening Glow

When I walk a vacant lot with buyers, I suggest: paying attention to the light. The direction your home faces can define the feeling inside it.

East-facing lots welcome the first light…

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Valhalla V-37: The Orange Beach Boater’s Dream

VALHALLA V-37: THE ORANGE BEACH BOATER’S DREAM

Every so often, a boat catches your eye and you know instantly—it was built for this stretch of coastline. That’s exactly how I feel about the Valhalla Boatworks V-37 by Viking. Sleek, powerful, and polished, this quad-powered center console turns heads every time she glides past Terry Cove or rounds the markers at Perdido Pass. She’s more than a fishing machine—she’s a symbol of the refined boating lifestyle that defines Orange Beach, Alabama.

• Draft (engines up): ~28 inches (2.3 ft)

• Draft (engines down): ~40–41 inches (3.3–3.4 ft)

• Beam: 10 ft

• Length Overall: 36 ft 9 in

• Weight: Around 16,700 lb (half load); about 17,500 lb with quad engines

• …

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