Boating Paradise on Ono Island: A Local’s Guide to Waterfront Living and Deep-Water Access | Meredith Folger Amon, Gulf Coast Real Estate Advisor

Boating Paradise on Ono Island: A Local’s Guide

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

Island Living with Southern Charm

Hello — I’m Meredith Folger, a proud Ono Island homeowner, boater, and Gulf Coast real estate advisor. Nestled where Alabama meets Florida, Ono Island stretches five and a half miles along the mouth of Perdido Bay, surrounded by sparkling waters that define life here. Legend has it, the island’s name came when Alabama officials once told Florida, “Oh no you don’t!” during a boundary dispute — a touch of Southern sass that still lives in our tight-knit island community today.

Gated, guarded, and gracious, Ono Island…

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Gulf Coast Stucco Homes: What to Look For, Maintain, and Prevent

GULF COAST STUCCO HOMES: WHAT TO LOOK FOR, MAINTAIN, AND PREVENT

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

Stucco can perform beautifully on the Gulf Coast when it’s installed and detailed correctly. The biggest lesson I share with buyers and sellers is this: it’s rarely about “stucco vs. EIFS.” It’s about the details—how the system terminates at grade, how roof-to-wall joints are flashed, how windows and doors are sealed, and how water is managed over time. If you’re buying or selling a stucco home in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, or on Ono Island, a professional stucco inspection is one of the smartest moves you can make.

The number-one red…

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Financing Programs on the Gulf Coast: A Guide to Your Options

Financing Programs on the Gulf Coast: A Guide to Your Options

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

Financing a home or condo on the Gulf Coast looks different for everyone. Some buyers want to purchase a beachfront condo, others are drawn to waterfront homes with boating amenities, and many prefer to build from the ground up. Each type of property comes with unique financing needs, and it’s important to understand the loan programs available before moving forward.

Here’s a detailed overview of the financing programs most often used along the Gulf Coast, including options for new construction, condos, investment properties, and…

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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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Shoalwater Drive Ono Island Homes & Lots – Deep Water Boating Access

Ono Island: Shoalwater Drive – Lot Sizes, Water Depths & Gulf Access

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

If you're considering Shoalwater Drive as your next home—or the perfect lot to build your dream waterfront property—this map-based guide is for you.

1. Wide, Deep Canals

Shoalwater Drive fronts a 60-foot wide canal that’s approximately 6 feet deep, thoughtfully dredged to accommodate larger boats comfortably. The generous width allows easy maneuvering, even for beamier vessels, and the depth is perfect for boats with 3–6 ft draft—especially those with lifts already in place.(Search The Gulf)

2. Direct and Unrestricted Gulf Access

One…

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Timeless Elegance on the Gulf Coast: Design Details That Left Me Speechless

Timeless Elegance on the Gulf Coast: Design Details That Left Me Speechless

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

Every now and then, I walk into a home that doesn’t just impress—it moves me. This week, during a private showing on the Gulf Coast, I experienced a property so beautifully designed, so intentional in its finishes and flow, that I left inspired, energized, and dreaming about the details long after I pulled away.

I didn’t take photos. But I can still see each room clearly in my mind. The layers of texture, the restraint in palette, the boldness in the right places. It was timeless, architectural, coastal luxury—crafted with precision.

Let…

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Gulf State Park Pier: A Coastal Landmark of Resilience and Beauty

Gulf State Park Pier: A Coastal Landmark of Resilience and Beauty

Stretching over 1,500 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf State Park Pier is an iconic destination on Alabama's Gulf Coast. Since its opening in the summer of 1939, Gulf State Park has played a pivotal role in transforming Alabama's Gulf Coast into a sought-after destination, with tourism becoming the backbone of the local economy. But it was the 1968 addition of an 825-foot pier that truly put the park on the map, attracting visitors from far and wide. Over the decades, the Gulf State Park Pier has been a scene of unforgettable moments—legendary fishing catches, mesmerizing sunsets, and dramatic coastal storms. Despite enduring multiple rebuilds due to storm damage, the pier…

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