Stucco Homes on the Gulf Coast: Termite checks, maintenance, and prevention in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, and Ono Island.

STUCCO HOMES ON THE GULF COAST: KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND BULLET POINTS

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

I help buyers and sellers evaluate stucco homes from Orange Beach to Gulf Shores and Ono Island. Here are the most important points I coach clients on when it comes to stucco performance, maintenance, and prevention on the coast.

Big Idea

• It’s not about “stucco vs. EIFS.” Performance comes down to installation and detailing: terminations at grade, flashing at roof-to-wall, window/door sealing, drainage paths, and ongoing maintenance.

Immediate Red Flags

• Stucco touching the ground (soil or mulch)…

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Hurricane Ivan vs. Hurricane Sally: Gulf Coast Real Estate, Insurance & Resilience Guide

Insurance, Hurricanes, and Gulf Coast Real Estate: Lessons from Ivan and Sally

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

After Hurricanes Ivan (2004) and Sally (2020), many Gulf Coast homeowners began asking the same questions about insurance coverage, premiums, and building standards. While the storms brought challenges, they also pushed our communities toward smarter building and better protection. Here are some of the most common questions I hear from homeowners and buyers in Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, and Dauphin Island.

Common Questions About Insurance After Ivan and Sally

Q: Did Ivan and Sally change how insurance…

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Understanding 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges on the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast

Understanding 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges on the Alabama Gulf Coast

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon

Disclaimer

I am not a tax attorney, nor do I provide tax or legal advice. This article is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a qualified tax attorney or CPA regarding your individual situation. Neither I, Meredith Folger Amon, nor Bellator Real Estate LLC, are responsible for decisions made based on the information provided here.

What is a 1031 Exchange?

A 1031 tax deferred exchange, named after Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, allows real estate investors to defer capital gains taxes when they…

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Hurricanes Ivan and Sally: Frequently Asked Questions About Their Impact on the Alabama Gulf Coast

Hurricanes Ivan and Sally: Frequently Asked Questions About Their Impact on the Alabama Gulf Coast

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

I’m often asked by homeowners and buyers how past hurricanes have affected Orange Beach, Ono Island, Gulf Shores, Fort Morgan, and Dauphin Island. To make this easier, I’ve put together a comprehensive Q&A guide about Hurricane Ivan (2004) and Hurricane Sally (2020)—two storms that struck exactly sixteen years apart, both on September 16th.

These questions cover storm categories, wind speeds, rainfall, flooding, recovery times, insurance impacts, and what we’ve learned since.

General Storm Questions

Q: What…

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End of September Gulf Coast Boating & Real Estate Guide

End of September Gulf Coast Boating & Real Estate Guide

By Meredith Folger Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.

As September winds down, the Gulf Coast offers one of its best-kept secrets—calmer waters, golden sunsets, and a lifestyle that locals savor once the summer crowds head home. Whether you’re boating out of Orange Beach, spending time on Ono Island, or exploring waterfront real estate opportunities, this is a season when the Gulf Coast truly shines.

Boating on the Gulf Coast in Late September

Ideal Conditions

The water is still warm from summer, but the air is cooler and less humid. Afternoon thunderstorms are fewer, making for more…

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Opal Condos, Orange Beach AL — Ultra-Private, One-Per-Floor Residences

Opal Condominiums, Orange Beach: A Private, One-Residence-Per-Floor Address on the Gulf

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
“Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon.”

What I Love About Opal in Orange Beach

When buyers ask me about the most private, low-density luxury option directly on the sand in Orange Beach, Opal is always part of the conversation. With only 13 residences — one per floor — Opal Condos delivers the feel of a private penthouse from the elevator to the foyer. The separation from typical high-rise crowds is immediate: secure, gated entry, a coded lobby, and your own enclosed garage with additional assigned parking.

“Stepping off the elevator into a…

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The Truth About Flood Zones and Insurance on Ono Island. Meredith Amon

THE TRUTH ABOUT FLOOD ZONES AND INSURANCE ON ONO ISLAND

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

When I talk with buyers about Ono Island, one of the first questions I often hear is, “What about flood insurance?” It’s a fair question — after all, this is a private island surrounded by the Intracoastal Waterway, Bayou St. John, and Old River. Living here is about embracing the water, but it also means understanding how flood zones and insurance play into the picture.

Flood Zones: What Buyers Need to Know

Every property on Ono Island falls into a flood zone, but not all zones are created equal. Some homes sit higher, on interior streets with added elevation, while others back right onto canals or the bay. The difference…

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Smart Lighting Systems for Luxury Gulf Coast Homes | Meredith Folger Amon

Smart Lighting Systems: Elevating Luxury Homes on the Gulf Coast

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Folger Amon

A New Era of Lighting on the Gulf Coast

One of the most exciting design trends I’m seeing in new construction and luxury homes along the Gulf Coast is the integration of smart lighting systems. I recently came across the WAC Home system, and I have to say, it’s a game-changer. Imagine walking into your home on Ono Island or in Orange Beach and having every light tailored to the mood — whether it’s bright daylight tones for morning productivity or a soft, warm glow to wind down after a day on the water.

Why Smart Lighting Matters

…

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Turquoise Place Orange Beach | Luxury Condos & Community Growth

Turquoise Place in Orange Beach: Luxury Condos and a Growing Community

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

When I drive along Perdido Beach Boulevard, my eyes go straight to Turquoise Place. With its turquoise-tinted glass and Gulf-front presence, it is the largest and one of the most recognizable condominium properties in Orange Beach. For owners and buyers, Turquoise Place represents elevated coastal living with expansive views, generous floor plans, and resort-style amenities in the heart of town.

A zoning update that improved access

In 2022, a zoning change from single-family residential to Planned Unit Development (PUD)…

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Wind Drift Condos Orange Beach | Renovations & Buyer Benefits

Wind Drift Condos: Renovations Elevate This Orange Beach Gem

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida
Guided by Integrity. Backed by Experience. Search the Gulf with Meredith Amon.

A Fresh Start in 2025

The Wind Drift Condominiums in Orange Beach, Alabama have just completed a major round of improvements in 2025, and the results are nothing short of spectacular. The buildings now boast a crisp white exterior that perfectly complements the Gulf Coast setting. For owners and buyers alike, this is one of the most exciting updates the property has seen in years.

Best of all, the seller has already paid the assessments for this work—which means the buyer will reap the benefits without taking on the cost.

2025…

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