Found 79 blog entries tagged as real estate.


WHAT THE LAST 5 YEARS TELL ME ABOUT THE ORANGE BEACH CONDO MARKET

Orange Beach Condo Market Update | Search The Gulf

I recently reviewed five years of market charts for previously owned condos and townhomes in Orange Beach, Alabama, and the story they tell is an important one. This data does not include new construction condos, which matters because resale inventory behaves differently. When I study the long view like this, I am looking for more than a headline. I want to understand how pricing, buyer activity, and inventory have shifted over time, because that is what helps me guide buyers and sellers more thoughtfully in Orange Beach.

The broad takeaway is fairly clear. Over the past five years, Orange Beach resale condos have become more expensive on both an average-sales-price…

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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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Homes: Best Listing Sites, Apps, and Orange Beach Tips

A practical guide to searching smarter in Orange Beach, comparing listings correctly, and knowing when local guidance matters most.

Orange Beach Alabama Homes For Sale


When people begin searching for homes in Orange Beach, they usually start the same way: they open a few of the major national portals, scroll listings, favorite a few properties, and try to make sense of what feels like a moving target. I understand why. Zillow, Realtor.com, Redfin, and Homes.com are useful for broad discovery, quick browsing, and getting a feel for price ranges and neighborhoods. But in a coastal market like Orange Beach, I believe those sites work best as a starting point, not the final authority.

My advice is to cast a…

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FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Starts March 1, 2026: What I Want Gulf Coast Buyers and Sellers to Know


I hear the same question almost daily right now, especially with condo closings in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores: “Will this new FinCEN rule affect my closing if I am buying in an LLC or a trust.” Here is the practical, plain-English version I use so we can keep your timeline clean and your closing calm.

FinCEN Real Estate Reporting Effective: March 1, 2026 Most common trigger: cash + entity or trust Where it shows up: vesting and funding details Jump to What is changing Who gets caught by it What “non-financed” really means What you may be asked to provide My timeline plan Wire fraud and identity verification Closing thoughts

What is changing on…

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10 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING ON ONO ISLAND



Ono Island Home Buying Guide Search The Gulf

When buyers ask me what makes Ono Island feel different, I tell them it is the rare blend of privacy, waterfront access, and a rulebook that actually matters. It is not complicated once you know where to look, but it rewards preparation.


“Ono Island is equal parts lifestyle and logistics. The magic is knowing both before you write the offer.”
Meredith Folger Amon

Meredith Folger Amon is an expert real estate advisor on Ono Island in Orange Beach, Alabama. If you want to browse current inventory while you read, start here: https://www.searchthegulf.com/ono-island/ and my Ono Island category archive here: https://www.searchthegulf.com/blog/category/ono-island/.

Quick Jump
1) Ono…

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ORANGE BEACH, ONO ISLAND AND GULF SHORES MARKET UPDATE

Market Update Gulf Coast Ono Island Orange Beach

Single-Family Market Update (Baldwin MLS): Ono Island, Orange Beach, Gulf Shores | Through November 2025


November Market Snapshot (Single Family Homes)

New Construction vs Previously Owned in Orange Beach, Ono Island, and Gulf Shores | November 2025 compared to November 2024 What I’m seeing at a glance
  • Inventory tightened year-over-year in most segments, especially previously owned homes on Ono Island and Gulf Shores.
  • Closed sales increased in November 2025 across the board for previously owned homes, and Gulf Shores new construction also showed a noticeable jump.
  • Prices are telling a “mix” story: averages moved sharply in a few places because luxury…

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Smart Questions To Ask When Buying a Boater-Friendly Condo in Orange Beach

When I am working with boat owners who are shopping for a condo in Orange Beach, the conversation always comes back to the same thing: the water. Floor plans and finishes matter, but the boat slip, marina layout, and boating access can make or break the purchase.

On my site, www.searchthegulf.com, the Gulf Coast's premier website for searching all real estate listings on the Gulf Coast, I keep a close eye on boat-friendly condos because demand from boaters is strong and very specific. Below are the questions I encourage buyers to ask before they fall in love with a view.

Boathouses Orange Beach Alabama Condos

Boat Slips – The Heart Of A Boater-Friendly Condo

Are the boat slips deeded,…

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What Happens If a Property Doesn’t Appraise? Options for Buyers and Sellers

When buying or selling a home, the appraisal is one of the most important milestones in the transaction. Because lenders base their loan approval and terms on the appraised value—not the contract price—a low appraisal can create stress and uncertainty for everyone involved.

The good news? A low appraisal does not mean the deal is dead. Both buyers and sellers have several options to keep a transaction moving forward. Here’s what you need to know.

Gulf Coast Real Estate Appraisals

Why Appraisals Matter

An appraisal is a professional assessment of a property’s fair market value. Lenders use it to ensure they aren’t financing more than the home is worth. If the appraisal comes in at or above the…

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HL Storage Facility on County Road 12 in Foley, Alabama – A Practical Addition for Gulf Coast Boat & RV Owners


My name is Meredith Folger Amon, and I am a Gulf Coast expert real estate advisor licensed in Alabama and Florida. Guided by Integrity.  Every week, I talk with homeowners and buyers who are trying to solve the same puzzle: “Where am I going to keep my boat or RV so it is convenient, safe, and not overwhelming my driveway or street?”

Recently, I reviewed the Baldwin County Planning Commission staff report for Case No. CSP24-34, the proposed HL Storage Facility on County Road 12 in Foley, Alabama. This proposal calls for an open-air boat and RV storage facility with a front office building on approximately 3.3 acres at 20524…

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