Real Estate Wire Fraud Is on the Rise: How to Protect Your Closing Funds

Real Estate Wire Fraud Is on the Rise: How to Protect Your Closing Funds

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

Real estate wire fraud is one of the most devastating—and increasingly common—threats facing buyers and sellers today. Just this week, I was reminded of how real and close to home this risk is. An agent here on the Gulf Coast recently had a buyer fall victim to wire fraud. It wasn’t my transaction, but it deeply impacted their client, who lost over $130,000.

It happened when hackers intercepted email communication between the buyer and the title company. The buyer received what looked like a legitimate email with wiring instructions—only the…

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Gulf Highlands vs. Orange Beach: Where to Invest on the Gulf Coast

Gulf Highlands, Florida vs. Orange Beach, Alabama: A Gulf Coast Real Estate Comparison

Investors and second-home buyers are increasingly drawn to the laid-back charm and long-term potential of the Gulf Coast. Two standout locations—Gulf Highlands, Florida and Orange Beach, Alabama—offer very different experiences, both in terms of lifestyle and investment returns. This comparison breaks down the advantages, disadvantages, taxes, rental income potential, and overall character of each destination to help buyers determine the better fit for their goals.

Location & Lifestyle

Gulf Highlands, Florida is located just west of Panama City Beach and east of 30A. Known for its wide lot sizes and quieter atmosphere, it attracts buyers seeking…

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Why Orange Beach, Alabama Stands Out for Vacation Rental Investors

Why Orange Beach, Alabama Stands Out for Vacation Rental Investors

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

As a real estate advisor with experience in both the Florida Panhandle and the Alabama Gulf Coast, I often help buyers and sellers navigate markets like, Orange Beach, and Destin Florida. Each of these destinations offers something truly special—but from a purely investment-minded perspective, I see Orange Beach as uniquely advantageous.

Let me explain why—and offer a few insights about property management fees, taxes, and commissions that can directly impact your bottom line.

Vacation Rental Performance Comparison

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What I'm Seeing in New Construction: Insulation Trends on Ono Island

Insulation in New Construction Homes on Ono Island: What I’m Seeing on Site Tours

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

Lately, I’ve been touring a number of new construction homes with clients on Ono Island and in Orange Beach, Alabama, and one consistent topic that comes up is how these homes are insulated. As interest in energy efficiency and storm resilience grows, insulation is no longer an afterthought—it’s a key part of how high-end coastal homes are built.

Here are the insulation trends and techniques I’ve observed on recent job site visits.

Spray Foam in the Roof Deck

Many of the homes under construction…

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Orange Beach vs Destin: Coastal Living, Real Estate, and Boating Culture Compared

Orange Beach vs Destin: A Gulf Coast Boater’s Paradise Comparison

Introduction: My Gulf Coast Love Affair

By Meredith Amon | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor | Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Hello. I’m Meredith Amon, a Gulf Coast real estate advisor and boating enthusiast. If there’s one question I hear all the time from friends, clients, and fellow beach-lovers, it’s this: Orange Beach, Alabama or Destin, Florida – which is better? As someone who lives on Ono Island in Orange Beach and has spent countless days soaking up the sun in both places, I know firsthand that each coastal gem has its own magic. In this post, I’ll take you on a personal journey comparing vacation appeal, real estate investment potential, lifestyle quality, and…

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Interest Rates, GDP, and the Housing Market: A Strategic Outlook for Gulf Coast Real Estate

Interest Rates, GDP, and the Housing Market: A Strategic Outlook for Gulf Coast Real Estate

By Meredith Amon
Licensed in Alabama & Florida | Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor 

In luxury real estate, timing the market is about more than just watching listing trends. It requires understanding the deeper relationship between macroeconomic forces—like GDP growth and monetary policy—and the local housing market. As someone who lives and works on the Gulf Coast, I watch these signals closely because they directly shape the behavior of buyers, sellers, and lenders alike.

This year, the conversation has turned sharply toward interest rates, inflation moderation, and political pressure to stimulate economic growth. And with President Donald Trump…

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Gulf Coast Real Estate Trends in 2025

Gulf Coast Real Estate Trends in 2025

By Meredith Amon. Real Estate Advisor. Licensed in Alabama and Florida.

From Florida’s Panhandle to the Texas shoreline, the Gulf Coast real estate market in 2025 is being shaped by resilient buyer demand, demographic shifts, and evolving development priorities. Here's a curated look at the most impactful trends:

Price Growth & Affordability

• Stable Home Price Appreciation: Home values across the Gulf Coast are experiencing modest growth, generally in the 2%–4% range year-over-year. Markets such as Pensacola, Mobile, and parts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast remain accessible compared to national averages, attracting both retirees and remote workers.

• Mortgage Rate Pressure: With…

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April 2025 Market Update: Orange Beach, Alabama – Single-Family Homes

April 2025 Market Update: Orange Beach, Alabama – Single-Family Homes

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Market Overview for Orange Beach Homes

The Orange Beach single-family home market is showing a mixed pace depending on the price point, with signs of stabilization in mid-range homes and increased supply in the higher-end segments. Here's a breakdown based on current inventory and recent sales performance:

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A Peaceful Bike Ride on Peninsula Drive: My Favorite Street on Ono Island

A Peaceful Bike Ride on Peninsula Drive: My Favorite Street on Ono Island

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

View Ono Island real estate at www.searchthegulf.com

Living on Ono Island offers countless little moments of peace, but one of my favorite ways to unwind and reconnect with the beauty around me is by taking a bike ride along Peninsula Drive. Just the other evening, with the sun beginning to dip and the air still warm from the day, I joined a dear friend and neighbor for a leisurely ride through one of the most scenic stretches of the island—the Harbour.

As a full-time homeowner and real estate advisor on Ono Island, I never take for granted how magical this place is. And every time I bike down Peninsula Drive, I’m…

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Virtual Tour at Mariner Pass: A Boater’s Paradise on Cotton Bayou

Virtual Tour at Mariner Pass: A Boater’s Paradise on Cotton Bayou

By Meredith Amon, Licensed in Alabama and Florida

Explore current listings at Mariner Pass and across the Gulf Coast on www.searchthegulf.com

I recently hosted a virtual showing at Mariner Pass Condos in Orange Beach, Alabama for a couple who live out of state and were interested in finding a low-maintenance, boater-friendly property here on the Gulf Coast. We connected over FaceTime, and I walked them through the condo and the entire complex, giving them a real-time feel for the space, the views, and the amenities.

Mariner Pass is tucked along Cotton Bayou, just before Perdido Pass, which makes it incredibly convenient for anyone who loves to be out on the water. The Gulf…

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