Byron Center, MI · Kent County
A Financial Advisor in Byron Center Who Actually Works for You
You're settling into Byron Center with a growing family and a mortgage bigger than the one you started with. But childcare, saving for the kids and retirement all want the same dollars, and most of the decisions are being made by feel. We build a real plan around your life and make sure it gets done.
You're Building a Family in Byron Center, and Every Dollar Is Spoken For
Byron Center is where a lot of people land when the family grows: more room, a school district they chose, and a monthly budget that stretched to get there. Everything you're saving for matters, and none of it fits in the same paycheck.
How much should go to retirement while the kids' costs keep rising? Should you pay the mortgage down early or invest? What happens if one income changes?
Each answer shapes the next one, and the longer they go unaddressed, the more expensive they get to fix.
Before vs. After Villaire Financial
Without a Plan
- A stretched budget with no room left for saving
- Kids' costs and retirement competing for the same dollars
- Extra mortgage payments made on a hunch
- Wondering if your family is protected if something happens
- A 401(k) contribution set years ago and never revisited
- Googling your way through major decisions and hoping you got it right
With Villaire Financial
- A spending plan that leaves room to save
- One timeline for college and retirement
- A clear answer on paying down the mortgage versus investing
- Coverage reviewed as part of your plan
- Contributions matched to your tax picture
- Never wonder if you made the right call
Is This Built for You?
We work best with people who have a lot going on financially and want someone in their corner to get everything working together.
Growing Families
A bigger home, the cost of kids and a 529 to get right. We put it all on one timeline so none of it gets starved.
Dual-Income Couples
Two careers, one household and very little spare time. We build one plan for both incomes and walk you through it together.
Mid-Career Achievers
You earn well, but you still feel less secure than you expected to by now. That gap is exactly what we close.
What clients say about working with Chris
"My wife and I have been working with Chris for a few years now. He's been absolutely incredible with helping us manage our finances."
"Chris is one of the most genuine people you will meet in the financial services industry. I trust him to do what is right and he is considerate with all his clients."
"Since getting married two years ago, he has helped us create clear financial plans, stay on top of our money, and set up funds that actually make us feel confident about our future."
Testimonials from current clients of Villaire Financial, LLC. No compensation was provided for these reviews. Individual experiences and results will vary. These testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients.
A financial advisor near Byron Center who makes sure you're actually building the life you want.
Villaire Financial is a fee-only, fiduciary planning firm led by Chris Villaire, CFP®. The office is in downtown Grand Rapids, about 15 minutes from Byron Center, and most meetings are by video. Planning starts at $50 a month after a $250 onboarding fee, with no asset minimum and no commissions.
Chris started Villaire Financial because the financial services industry has largely overlooked people in their 20s and 30s for decades. He built this firm for young professionals who want clarity and direction with their money, and he is in the same stage of life as his clients.
Meet ChrisYour full financial plan in 30 days. Then we're there as life goes on.
- 1
Week 1
Book a Free 30-Minute Intro Call
Schedule a 30-minute call directly on our calendar. We'll hear about your situation, answer your questions, and tell you honestly if we think working together makes sense.
- 2
Week 2
Deep-Dive Discovery Session
Once we've decided to move forward, we schedule a deeper meeting covering income, expenses, investments, debts, insurance, taxes, and what you're actually trying to accomplish.
- 3
Weeks 3-4
Your Financial Plan
We build your plan across every area of your finances, then meet to present it and walk through it together so you understand the reasoning behind every decision. From there, we handle the execution: account setup, money movement, and your personalized client portal.
- 4
Onward
Ongoing Reviews and Support
We meet at least twice a year to review progress and adjust as life changes. Between meetings, you can reach out whenever something comes up.
What you walk away with
- A personalized financial plan covering every area of your financial life
- A clear picture of where you stand and what to do next
- A secure client portal with all your accounts and goals in one place
- Ongoing investment management, handled for you
- Twice-yearly reviews and an advisor you can reach between meetings
Working with Chris from Byron Center
Our office is downtown at 2 Fulton St W, Suite 122, but you never have to come in. Everything can be done by video and digitally, from meetings to signing documents to your client portal. If you'd rather meet in person, we're about 15 minutes from Byron Center. Meetings are by appointment only, and parking is validated in the garage attached to the building.
2 Fulton St W, Suite 122
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Mon to Fri, 9 to 5 · (586) 322-2953
What it costs. No surprises.
Fee-only means you pay Chris and no one else pays him. Every fee is in writing before you commit to anything.
| One-time onboarding | $250 |
|---|---|
| Planning, per month | $50 to $125, based on income and complexity |
| With $100,000+ managed | Monthly fee waived |
| Investment management | 1.00% to 1.50% a year, only if Chris manages your investments |
| Asset minimum | None |
| Commissions | None |
What People in Byron Center Usually Ask First
Do I have to come to Grand Rapids to work with Chris?
No. Everything can be done by video and digitally, from meetings to signing documents to the client portal. If you would rather meet in person, the downtown Grand Rapids office is about 15 minutes from Byron Center, by appointment only, with parking validated in the garage attached to the building.
How much does a financial advisor cost in Byron Center, MI?
The one-time onboarding fee is $250. Ongoing planning is $50 to $125 a month depending on income and complexity, and it is waived once you have $100,000 or more in managed assets. If Chris manages your investments, that is 1.00% to 1.50% a year on the assets he manages, and the rate drops as assets grow. There are no commissions and no asset minimum.
Is there a minimum amount I need to work with Villaire Financial?
No. There is no asset minimum, so you can start before you have built up much in savings.
Can I buy a bigger home in Byron Center and keep saving for retirement?
Often yes, but it depends on the price, the down payment, and what you are already saving. The median home in Byron Center is valued at about $384,400, according to the Census Bureau's latest five-year estimate, so 10% down is roughly $38,440. We put the down payment, the monthly cost and your retirement contributions on one timeline so the move does not shortchange your future.
Should we pay down the mortgage early or invest the extra?
It depends on your mortgage rate, your tax situation and how much cushion you already have. A low rate often argues for investing, a high rate for paying down, and the emergency fund and 401(k) match come before either. We work it out with your actual numbers.
What happens to property taxes when I buy a home in Byron Center?
Plan on a higher bill than the seller had. A home's taxable value rises slowly under the same owner, capped at inflation or 5%, and the cap falls away when the home sells, so the value resets to the State Equalized Value, 50% of market value. The Byron Township assessor can tell you the current millage rates and how to claim the Principal Residence Exemption, which takes up to 18 mills of school operating tax off a primary residence.
Does Byron Center have a city income tax?
No. Byron Center is an unincorporated community in Byron Township, not a city. Among the areas we serve, only Grand Rapids and Walker tax income at the city level. Working in Grand Rapids means the 0.75% nonresident rate on those wages, about $712.50 on $95,000, and working in Walker means 0.5%. It goes into your cash flow so take-home pay holds no surprises.
Is Villaire Financial a fiduciary?
Yes. Villaire Financial is a fee-only registered investment adviser, legally required to act in your best interest and paid only by its clients, never by commissions or product sales.
One Conversation. No Commitment.
A free 30-minute call. You'll leave with a clear answer on your biggest financial priority and an honest read on whether working together makes sense.
Not ready to talk yet?
The Path to Financial Freedom
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Other areas we serve
Sources
- Census Reporter, Byron Center (ACS 2024 5-year)
- Byron Township, official website
- Michigan Treasury, Principal Residence Exemption
- City of Grand Rapids, Income Tax Department
- Google Maps, driving directions to the office
Census figures are 2024 five-year American Community Survey estimates and carry a margin of error. Tax rates and program rules change, so confirm current figures with the city, the township assessor or a tax professional. Examples are for illustration only. This page is general information, not tax, legal or investment advice. Last reviewed September 21, 2026.