Cascade, MI · Kent County
A Financial Advisor in Cascade Who Actually Works for You
You've built a good life in Cascade. But retirement is getting closer, the kids' costs are getting bigger, and a lot of accounts have piled up along the way with nobody connecting them. We build a real plan around your life and make sure it gets done.
You've Worked Hard to Get Here, but Feel Less Secure Than You Expected To
Cascade is full of people in the middle of their careers: a good income, a house that has grown with the family, and a stack of accounts from every job along the way. It's easy to have all of that and still not know whether you're on track.
Do you fund the 529 or catch up on retirement? Which old 401(k) should you roll over? Is the house still the right size, or is it time to think about what comes next?
These aren't small calls. The longer they go unaddressed, the more expensive they get to fix, and the years left to fix them keep shrinking.
Before vs. After Villaire Financial
Without a Plan
- Old 401(k)s scattered across former employers
- Not sure whether the 529 or retirement should come first
- A house that no longer fits and no clear number for what comes next
- Retirement feels like a vague someday with no real number behind it
- Paying more in taxes than you should
- Googling your way through major decisions and hoping you got it right
With Villaire Financial
- Every account organized into one plan you can see
- A clear split between college and retirement, worked out with your real numbers
- A plan for the next home that still protects retirement
- Know when you can stop working, with a number you trust
- A tax strategy working in your favor all year
- 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.
Mid-Career Achievers
You've worked hard to get here and earn well, but you feel less secure than you expected to by now. That gap between where you are and where you thought you'd be is exactly what we close.
Families With College on the Horizon
A 529, a mortgage and a retirement date that is getting closer. We put them on one timeline so none of them gets starved.
High Earners Who Feel Behind
Strong income, multiple accounts and no clear plan tying them together. We turn it into one picture you can act on.
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 Cascade 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 Cascade, 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 Cascade
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 Cascade. 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 Cascade 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 Cascade, by appointment only, with parking validated in the garage attached to the building.
How much does a financial advisor cost in Cascade, 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.
Should I fund a 529 or catch up on retirement first?
A common way to think about it is that kids can borrow for college but you cannot borrow for retirement, so retirement usually gets protected first. How that plays out depends on how far along your retirement savings are and how many years until college, so we model both with your real numbers rather than picking a rule.
What should I do with old 401(k)s from past employers?
Usually you can leave the money where it is, roll it into your current employer plan, roll it into an IRA, or cash it out, and cashing out is almost always the worst choice. We compare the fees, the investment options and the tax picture of each, then consolidate what makes sense so you can see everything in one place.
Can I buy or move up to a new home in Cascade and keep saving for retirement?
Often yes, but it depends on the price and where your retirement savings stand. The median home in Cascade Township is valued at about $472,500, according to the Census Bureau's latest five-year estimate, so 10% down is roughly $47,250. We put the down payment, the monthly cost and your retirement contributions on one timeline so a move does not cost you the years you need most.
What happens to property taxes when I buy a home in Cascade Township?
The seller's property tax bill usually understates yours. While one owner holds a home, taxable value can rise only by inflation or 5%, whichever is less, and it resets to the State Equalized Value the year after a sale. File a Principal Residence Exemption with the Cascade Charter Township assessor to remove up to 18 mills of school operating tax, and ask them for current rates before you make an offer.
Does Cascade have a city income tax?
No. Cascade is a charter 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 $825 on $110,000, 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
A free 17-page walkthrough of budgeting, debt paydown, investing, and tax strategy, written for people in their 20s and 30s who want a clear starting point.
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Other areas we serve
Sources
- Census Reporter, Cascade charter township (ACS 2024 5-year)
- Cascade Charter 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.