Mississippi Gulf Coast REALTOR® Patrick Merrill talks with Ben, the founder of Future Proof, about how to protect your home from extreme weather and skyrocketing insurance premiums. Ben breaks down how his company's "Magic Window" app uses artificial intelligence to scan your home's vulnerabilities to hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires.

Patrick and Ben also explore how homeowners can tap into government grants and green funds to pay for structural upgrades, ensuring their homes survive the next big storm. From the serious realities of 60-year-old construction techniques to wild tangents about treasure hunting and building lasers for 80s rock bands, this episode is packed with vital information and incredible stories.

🎧 Hosted by: Patrick Merrill

🎤 Featuring: Ben Gilliland, Founder of Future Proof

Ben Gilliland is the Founder and Chairman of Future Proof Property Intelligence, a public benefit company helping homeowners reduce climate risk and navigate the insurance crisis. With more than 55 years of experience across engineering, software, and finance, he has developed patented technologies including disaster-resistant construction solutions. He also co-founded The Paulele Housing Association in Hawaiʻi to advance climate-resilient housing.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How the free "Magic Window" app uses AI to score your home's disaster risk

✔️ Why insurance companies are dropping coverage in entire zip codes (and how to stop them)

✔️ How to access government grants and tokenized "green funds" to pay for home upgrades

✔️ The terrifying reality of facing modern storms with 75-year-old construction tech

✔️ How Future Proof's "Comfort Bot" helps you make calm, data-driven evacuation decisions

✔️ The surprising psychology of casinos and why talking to strangers wards off dementia

🎙 Connect with Ben Gilliland & Future Proof:

🌎 Website → https://futureproof.org/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-gilliland-ba8978290/

🎙 Follow Patrick Merrill:

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/PatrickMerrillCBSH/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/patrickmerrillrealtor

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/my-town-892051183/

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate → https://iconsofrealestate.com

Mississippi Gulf Coast REALTOR® Patrick Merrill talks with Brad, the owner of Venice Beach-based Open Air Homes, about how to thrive in the modern short-term and mid-term rental market. Brad explains why the industry is entirely driven by 5-star reviews, and why homes that focus on a complete, comfortable guest experience enjoy 90% occupancy while others struggle at 20%.

They also dive into the operational side of property management, discussing why Brad's team turns off "Instant Book" to prevent parties, how they manage properties for owners who only travel a few months a year, and the reality of investing in California real estate today. Finally, Brad shares a brilliant, highly practical guide on how anyone can start a property management company today using AI tools like Claude to build a top-tier website.

🎧 Hosted by: Patrick Merrill

🎤 Featuring: Brad, Owner of Open Air Homes

Brad Greiner is the Chief Executive Officer of Open Air Homes, a California-based property management company specializing in the professional management of residential rental properties. As CEO, he leads the company’s strategic growth, operations, and client relationships, overseeing portfolios that focus on maximizing asset performance while delivering high-quality experiences for both owners and residents.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Why cutting corners on the guest experience will tank your search ranking

✔️ The massive benefits of catering to 10+ day stays instead of weekenders

✔️ How to safely monetize your primary residence while traveling or living abroad

✔️ The best investment strategy for multifamily units in strict rental markets

✔️ Why you should immediately turn off "Instant Book" to prevent party risks

✔️ How to use AI (Claude Code) to build a premium property management website and launch your business

✔️ Why buyers are purchasing their future retirement homes now to rent out

🎙 Connect with Brad Greiner:

📘 Facebook → https://facebook.com/openairhomes

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/openairhomes/?hl=en

🎙 Follow Patrick Merrill:

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/PatrickMerrillCBSH/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/patrickmerrillrealtor

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/my-town-892051183/

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate → https://iconsofrealestate.com

Mississippi Gulf Coast REALTOR® Patrick Merrill talks with GMFS Mortgage Loan Officer Jeremy Brown about the realities of buying a home in 2026. They discuss why waiting for interest rates to drop can actually cause you to pay more for a house, how to strategically refinance, and why you should never let a low interest rate keep you trapped in a home you no longer love.

Jeremy also breaks down the specific requirements for FHA, VA, USDA, and Conventional loans, explaining how the condition of the house dictates the type of loan you can get. Plus, they share critical advice for young buyers on understanding credit, debt-to-income ratios, and the difference between "good debt" and "bad debt."

🎧 Hosted by: Patrick Merrill

🎤 Featuring: Jeremy Brown, Loan Officer at GMFS Mortgage

Jeremy Brown is a mortgage broker and Loan Officer with GMFS Mortgage in the Mobile, Alabama area, helping homebuyers navigate financing with clarity and support. He brings more than 20 years of real estate and lending experience, working with a lender that has served over 150,000 homeowners across multiple states and offers a wide range of financing solutions.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

✔️ How lenders can advertise 5.99% rates (and who is actually paying for those "discount points")

✔️ The exact down payment requirements for Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans

✔️ Why a 0% down USDA loan requires the house to be in near-perfect condition

✔️ The "Refinance Strategy": Why buying now at 6% beats waiting for a 5% rate

✔️ Why you shouldn't open new credit cards or buy a car while under contract

✔️ Good Debt vs. Bad Debt: How to use leverage to build wealth instead of drowning in bills

✔️ The difference between a soft credit pull and a hard credit pull

🎙 Connect with Jeremy Brown:

🌎 Website → https://gmfsmortgage.com/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/GMFSMortgage

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/company/gmfs-mortgage

🎙 Follow Patrick Merrill:

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/PatrickMerrillCBSH/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/patrickmerrillrealtor

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/my-town-892051183/

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!
⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate → https://iconsofrealestate.com

Welcome to the very first episode! Mississippi Gulf Coast REALTOR® Patrick Merrill is officially launching his brand-new podcast. Dropping weekly starting March 11, 2026, this show is all about bringing a much-needed dose of positivity to your feed. Sick of the negative news cycle? Patrick is here to help you get "lifted."

In this quick intro, Patrick shares what to expect in upcoming episodes—including interviews with appraisers, lenders, and home inspectors—and why he believes the lost art of customer service and face-to-face connection is more important than ever in a world glued to smartphones.

🎧 Hosted by: Patrick Merrill

Patrick Merrill is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, licensed in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. Known for his upbeat energy and dedication to top-tier customer service, Patrick is passionate about educating buyers and sellers while spreading positivity along the beautiful Gulf Coast.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ What to expect from this brand-new weekly podcast (launching 3/11/26!)

✔️ Why Patrick is prioritizing positive stories over the negative news cycle

✔️ A sneak peek at the real estate experts joining future episodes

✔️ Why old-school customer service matters more than ever in a smartphone-obsessed world

✔️ How the lack of face-to-face communication is fueling modern real estate scams

✔️ A quick tease of a beautiful new property listing in Vancleave, MS

🎙 Follow Patrick Merrill:

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/PatrickMerrillCBSH/

📷 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/patrickmerrillrealtor

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/my-town-892051183/

🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate → https://iconsofrealestate.com

Lifted is where real estate, leadership, and real life come together. Hosted by Patrick Merrill, this podcast goes beyond transactions to explore personal growth, purpose, and the kind of impact that lasts longer than any deal.

Patrick brings on realtors from all walks of life, along with industry partners and people with stories worth sharing. No hype, no shortcuts - just honest insight, perspective, and encouragement for wherever you are in your journey.