Wise Move Podcast

Host Meredith Buckland sits down with multifamily investor and syndicator Maulin Shah to break down how disciplined underwriting, conservative assumptions, and long-term thinking drive sustainable wealth in commercial real estate. Maulin shares lessons from scaling multifamily portfolios, navigating market cycles, mitigating risk, and educating passive investors to make smarter decisions in today’s shifting economy.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Maulin Shah – Multifamily Investor & Syndicator

⭐ Guest Bio

Maulin Shah is a licensed real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers, serving the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area from the Gwinnett Place office. Originally from Ohio, he relocated to Georgia and earned his real estate license to turn his passion for architecture and home design into a career. Maulin focuses on clear communication and client education, helping buyers and sellers navigate the market with confidence. He has been featured on real estate industry podcasts, including The Closing Table and The Brad and Taylor Show, where he shares insights on Atlanta’s housing trends and market dynamics.

💡 Key Topics Covered

✔️ Multifamily fundamentals in today’s market

✔️ Conservative underwriting strategies

✔️ Educating and protecting passive investors

✔️ Managing risk across market cycles

✔️ Long-term wealth creation through real estate

📇 Connect with Maulin Shah:

🌐 Website → https://maulinshah.sites.bhgrealestate.com/

📱 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/maulinshahrealestate

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

In this episode, Evan Roberts shares how he built Visually Sold into a leading real estate media company rooted in excellence, consistency, and purpose. He opens up about entrepreneurship, faith, family, and the systems behind producing thousands of high-quality listings each year. Evan also highlights the importance of client experience and how powerful visual marketing elevates an agent’s brand.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Evan Roberts – Founder of Visually Sold Real Estate Media

💡 Key Topics Covered

✔️ Building a scalable real estate media company

✔️ The role of faith & family in business

✔️ Why consistency & client experience matter

✔️ Visual marketing as a branding tool for agents

✔️ New tools & features at Visually Sold

📇 Connect with Evan Roberts:

🌐 Website → https://visuallysold.com/

🔗 LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/evan-roberts-a44873167

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

📘 Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/meredithbucklandrealtor/
🔖 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below!

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

In this episode of Wise Move, host Meredith Buckland sits down with Derek Varnadoe, Senior Vice President & Qualifying Broker with HomeSmart, to discuss agent development, mastering contracts, adapting to market shifts, and building longevity in real estate. Derek shares how the industry keeps agents challenged and growing, and why communication, mentorship, and resilience are key to becoming a top-tier professional.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Derek Varnadoe – Senior Vice President, Qualifying Broker, HomeSmart

⭐ Guest Bio:

Derek Varnadoe is a seasoned real estate professional based in Roswell, Georgia, with over 14 years of experience in the industry. As the Senior Vice President and Qualifying Broker for HomeSmart Georgia, he leads the brokerage's operations and agent development across the state. His career includes a significant tenure at Solid Source Realty, where he served as a licensed real estate broker since 2011. Derek's production history includes 21 closed sales over the past five years, totaling approximately $9.2 million in transaction volume, with an average sale price of $440,000. Notably, his transactions have ranged from $180,000 to $1.8 million, encompassing various property types such as townhouses, houses, and condos. In addition to his brokerage roles, Derek is an active real estate educator and advisor, contributing to the professional development of agents in the Georgia market.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

✔️ Derek’s path into real estate & broker leadership

✔️ Training, CE, forms & ongoing industry education

✔️ Why communication strengthens deal outcomes

✔️ Resilience through shifting market cycles

✔️ How HomeSmart empowers agents to grow

📇 Connect with Derek Varnadoe:

🌐 Website → https://www.hsmove.com/

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

#MeredithBuckland #DerekVarnadoe #WiseMovePodcast #HomeSmart #AgentEducation #RealEstateTraining #BrokerSupport #IndustryGrowth #AgentMindset #RealEstateSuccess

In this episode, host Meredith Buckland sits down with interior designer Lanada Chanel Duncan to explore how intentional, wellness-centered design transforms a house into a restorative, meaningful home. Lanada shares her expertise in biophilia, emotional wellness, and sensory-driven design—along with her personal journey that shaped her philosophy of creating nurturing, connected spaces.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Lanada Chanel Duncan – Founder & Principal Designer, Be Decors Interiors

⭐ Guest Bio

Lanada Chanel Duncan is the founder and principal designer of b.e. decors Interiors, a Roswell-based design firm known for integrating wellness-centered design into modern living spaces. Her work, featured in Voyage ATL Magazine and other design platforms, emphasizes the connection between environment and emotional well-being through color psychology and biophilic design. Lanada is also recognized for developing the innovative “She-Cave” concept, creating personalized sanctuaries that inspire comfort and empowerment for women.

💡 Key Topics Covered

✔️ What turns a house into a sanctuary

✔️ How biophilia supports mental & emotional health

✔️ Sensory-driven design and mindful spaces

✔️ Trends in wellness-focused interiors

✔️ The story behind the She Cave

✔️ Creating spaces that nurture and restore

📇 Connect with Lanada:

🌐 Website → https://www.bedecors.com/

📱 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/b.e.decors

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanadaduncan

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Host Meredith Buckland talks with Shane Miller, CEO of New Story Lending and founder of The Miller Companies, about his journey from military service to building a multi-state financial enterprise. Shane shares lessons in leadership, resilience, and faith, while discussing how his company is transforming lives through education, service, and breaking barriers to homeownership.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Shane Miller – CEO & Co-Founder, New Story Lending; Founder, The Miller Companies

⭐ Guest Bio:Shane Miller, Founder and Owner of New Story Lending, is a proud U.S. Army veteran who has quickly made his mark in real estate finance. In just one year, he led the company to achieve a $250 million annual loan volume run rate, showcasing both vision and expertise. Based in South Carolina, Shane specializes in residential mortgages, home financing, and mortgage lending, with a mission to help families achieve homeownership through trusted guidance and innovative lending solutions.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

✔️ From the Army to entrepreneurship

✔️ Building teams rooted in trust and purpose

✔️ Education as the foundation of ownership

✔️ The heart of giving back through community service

📇 Connect with Shane Miller:

🌐 Website → https://www.newstorylending.com/

📱 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-miller-phd

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

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

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

Host Meredith Buckland sits down with entrepreneur Crystal Hughes to explore her journey from special education teacher to full-time financial educator and agency founder. Crystal explains how life insurance can be used as a living wealth tool, why financial literacy changes generational outcomes, and how she has helped channel millions back into her community. She shares her story of resilience, purpose, and building a wise legacy rooted in empowerment and stewardship.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Crystal Hughes – Founder, VVS Financial Agency

⭐ Guest Bio:

Crystal A. Hughes is an entrepreneur and the founder of VVS Financial Agency in Atlanta. A former educator turned life insurance agency owner, Crystal is dedicated to teaching clients how to leverage life insurance as a powerful tool for wealth building and creating generational legacies. Through her six-figure business, she has helped channel nearly $10 million back into the community, empowering families to secure their financial futures while making a lasting impact.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

✔️ How life insurance works as a living wealth tool

✔️ The importance of financial literacy

✔️ Building confidence in times of transition

✔️ Creating legacy through service and stewardship

📇 Connect with Crystal:

📱 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/guyanese.gawdess

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystal-hughes-52a9b5b2

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

In this episode of Wise Move, host Meredith Buckland sits down with Andrew Peipers, Family Office Planning Specialist at Blue Trust, to discuss intentional living, faith-driven financial planning, and the joys of newlywed life. From navigating homeownership to integrating faith and stewardship, Andrew shares practical wisdom for young couples and insights from his unique blend of theology and finance—all while reflecting on how community and purpose shape his work and home life.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Andrew Peipers – Family Office Planning Specialist at Blue Trust

💡 Key Topics Covered:

✔️ Integrating faith with financial planning

✔️ Navigating home buying as a young couple

✔️ Building strong community foundations

✔️ Practical financial guidance for new homeowners

✔️ Living with purpose and intentionality

📇 Connect with Andrew:

🌎 Website → https://www.bluetrust.com/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-peipers-39b654171/

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

In this episode of Wise Move, host Meredith Buckland sits down with Angie Mezza Smith, broker, instructor, and founder of RE School of Georgia. Angie shares her passion for educating agents on compliance, contracts, and ethical marketing practices. They dive into the importance of clear cooperation, pocket listings, and how to avoid costly mistakes that can jeopardize your license. Angie’s mission is clear: to empower agents to work smarter, stay compliant, and elevate the real estate profession.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Angie Mezza Smith – Broker, Instructor, Founder of RE School of Georgia

⭐ Guest Bio:Angie Mezza-Smith is a veteran real estate broker, educator, and leader based in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 25 years of industry experience, she serves as Managing Broker at Keller Williams Buckhead and Owner of the RE School of Georgia, where she trains and mentors agents in real estate law, contracts, and professional excellence. Known for her integrity, deep market knowledge, and passion for agent development, Angie is a driving force in shaping Georgia’s next generation of real estate professionals.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

✔️ The essentials of clear cooperation and advertising laws

✔️ Avoiding mistakes that can cost your license

✔️ Why contracts are your best protection

✔️ The importance of continuous education

📇 Connect with Angie Mezza Smith:

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-mezza-smith/

📱 Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/mezzasmith/#

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

In this episode of Wise Move, host Meredith Buckland talks with Krisztina Bell, founder of No Vacancy Home Staging. With over two decades of experience, Krisztina shares why staging remains essential in any market, highlighting both traditional and virtual approaches. She explains how staging boosts a home’s appeal, shortens time on the market, and can increase sale prices. The conversation also explores her CE courses for real estate agents and her community work through the nonprofit Furnished with Love.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 Krisztina Bell – Founder, No Vacancy Home Staging

⭐ Guest Bio:

Krisztina Bell is an award-winning home staging expert and the founder of No Vacancy Home Staging and Virtually Staging Properties. With over 20 years of experience, she has transformed the real estate marketing game by helping agents and sellers present homes in their best light—either physically through stylish, modern furnishings or digitally through virtual staging. Recognized as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Real Estate Staging, Krisztina's work has been featured on HGTV’s House Hunters, The Property Brothers, The New York Times, and Realtor Magazine. She’s also an educator, offering CE courses, webinars, and tools for real estate agents nationwide.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

✔️ How color impacts buyer emotion

✔️ Using staging to sell faster and for more

✔️ Why collaboration builds stronger brands

✔️ Giving back through design and community

📇 Connect with Krisztina Bell:

🌎 Website → https://novacancy-atl.com/

📷 Instagram → https://instagram.com/krisztinabell/

🔗 LinkedIn → ​​https://linkedin.com/in/krisztinabell/

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

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/

In this episode of Wise Move, host Meredith Buckland talks with David Gray from Cross Country Mortgage about navigating the home loan process. With over 12 years of experience, David shares insights on rates, affordability, and creative financing strategies. They discuss the importance of credit, down payment planning, and lender–realtor partnerships that give buyers a competitive edge. David also explains how preparation, teamwork, and education help first-time buyers feel confident in making one of life’s biggest investments.

🎧 Hosted by: Meredith Buckland

👤 Guest:🖋 David Gray – Senior Loan Officer, Cross Country Mortgage

David Grey is a Mortgage Loan Officer at CrossCountry Mortgage, helping clients achieve their homeownership and refinancing goals. David focuses on providing personalized mortgage solutions while guiding clients through every step of the lending process with clarity and integrity. He is committed to delivering exceptional service and making the mortgage experience straightforward and stress-free. Outside of work, David is passionate about supporting his local community and staying involved in initiatives that strengthen families and neighborhoods.

💡 Key Topics Covered:

✔️ Why preparation matters more than rates alone

✔️ The impact of credit scores and savings on approvals

✔️ Tips for navigating affordability in high-priced markets

✔️ How teamwork between agents and lenders wins offers

✔️ What first-time buyers should do before house hunting

📇 Connect with David Gray:

🌎 Website → https://crosscountrymortgage.com/cleveland-oh-2080/david-gray/

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgray9269/

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

🎙 Follow Meredith Buckland – Wise Move:

🌎 Website → https://www.meredithbuckland.com/

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

🔗 LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbuckland/

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

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

💎 Produced by Icons of Real Estate -https://iconsofrealestate.com/