East Grand Rapids, MI · Kent County
A Financial Advisor in East Grand Rapids Who Actually Works for You
You're doing well in East Grand Rapids. But two busy careers, a house that always needs something, and a bonus that never has a plan attached add up to decisions that compound for decades, and you're making them on the fly. We build a real plan around your life and make sure it gets done.
You're Doing Well in East Grand Rapids, but Wonder If Your Money Is Keeping Up
A lot of people in East Grand Rapids have built strong careers, often two of them under one roof. The income is real. What's usually missing is someone looking at the whole picture: how the bonus, the raise, the house and the kids' costs fit together.
Do you pay down the mortgage or invest the difference? Is the deferred pay or equity at work worth what you think it is? How much should go toward retirement while the house and the kids take everything else? Most people answer these one at a time and hope it adds up.
It rarely does on its own. A higher income makes every mistake bigger, and the longer they go unaddressed, the more expensive they get to fix.
Before vs. After Villaire Financial
Without a Plan
- Two strong incomes and no shared plan for what they're supposed to do
- A bonus or raise that quietly disappears into everyday spending
- Deferred pay, stock or equity at work that you don't fully understand
- Not sure whether to pay down the mortgage or invest the difference
- Paying more in taxes than you have to because nobody's looking
- Googling your way through major decisions and hoping you got it right
With Villaire Financial
- One plan for both incomes, with every dollar given a job
- A plan for every raise and bonus, decided in advance
- Your benefits explained and put to work in the plan
- A clear answer, worked out with your real numbers
- 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.
Dual-Income Couples
Two careers, one household, and no time to sit down and build a plan together. We do the work and walk you both through it.
High Earners Who Feel Behind
A strong income and a nagging sense you should be further along. That gap is what we close.
Growing Families
A bigger house, the cost of kids, and a 529 to get right. We put it all on one timeline so nothing gets starved.
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 East Grand Rapids 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 10 minutes from East Grand Rapids, 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 East Grand Rapids
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 10 minutes from East Grand Rapids. 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 East Grand Rapids 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 10 minutes from East Grand Rapids, by appointment only, with parking validated in the garage attached to the building.
How much does a financial advisor cost in East Grand Rapids, 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 or upgrade a home in East Grand Rapids 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 East Grand Rapids is valued at about $521,300, according to the Census Bureau's latest five-year estimate, so 10% down is roughly $52,130. We put the down payment, the monthly cost, your retirement contributions and your emergency fund on one timeline, so you know what you can comfortably spend rather than just what a lender will approve.
What happens to property taxes when I buy a home in East Grand Rapids?
A home's taxable value resets to the State Equalized Value, which is 50% of market value, the year after a sale, so the seller's bill is often lower than yours will be. If it will be your primary residence, file a Principal Residence Exemption affidavit with the city assessor to remove up to 18 mills of school operating tax. We estimate the new bill before you make an offer so it is in your budget from day one.
Does East Grand Rapids have a city income tax?
No. East Grand Rapids is a city, but it does not charge one, and in this part of Michigan only Grand Rapids and Walker charge a city income tax. If you work in Grand Rapids, the nonresident rate is 0.75% on wages earned there, which is $900 a year on a $120,000 salary, and if you work in Walker the nonresident rate is 0.5%. We build it into your cash flow so it is not a surprise.
I earn a high income. Do I still need an advisor?
A high income makes some decisions bigger without making them simpler: how much goes into a 401(k) versus a taxable account, what to do with a bonus or deferred pay, and how to keep taxes from eating the raise. Chris works with people who earn well but have no clear plan, and there is no asset minimum to get started.
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, East Grand Rapids city (ACS 2024 5-year)
- 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.