Grandville, MI · Kent County
A Financial Advisor in Grandville Who Actually Works for You
You're working hard in Grandville and starting to think about the next step, whether that's a first home or a bigger one. But student loans, a 401(k) you barely touched and a tight monthly budget all want the same paycheck, and no one has told you the order. We build a real plan around your life and make sure it gets done.
You're Making Good Money in Grandville, but Wonder What Goes First
Grandville is a good place to start building: a short drive from downtown, an easy commute along I-196, and a lot of people in the same stage of life. The hard part is that everything competes for the same paycheck at once.
Do you pay down loans first or invest? How much should go to the down payment? Should you max the 401(k) match before either? Most people answer these from a search result and hope the order works out.
Small mistakes here are easy to make, and the longer they go unaddressed, the more expensive they get to fix.
Before vs. After Villaire Financial
Without a Plan
- Student loans, savings and a down payment all competing with no clear order
- Saving for a home with no timeline and no clear number
- A 401(k) match you're not sure you're capturing
- An emergency fund that's really just whatever is left in checking
- Overtime or commission pay that disappears as fast as it comes in
- Googling your way through major decisions and hoping you got it right
With Villaire Financial
- A clear order of operations, so every dollar has a job
- A down payment plan that fits alongside retirement
- The full match captured and contributions set to fit your tax picture
- A real cushion, sized for your situation
- A budget built on base pay, with extra income sent to work
- 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.
Early-Career Professionals
Making good money but constantly wondering if you're doing the right things with it. Right accounts, right order. We make sure you're not guessing.
Couples Buying Their First Home
Two incomes, one down payment goal, and a lot of questions about how much house is too much. We turn it into one plan you both understand.
Young Families
A growing household, new costs and the same paycheck. We put every goal on one timeline so they stop competing with each other.
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 Grandville 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 Grandville, 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 Grandville
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 Grandville. 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 Grandville 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 Grandville, by appointment only, with parking validated in the garage attached to the building.
How much does a financial advisor cost in Grandville, 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.
How much do I need to buy a first home in Grandville?
The median home in Grandville is valued at about $271,300, according to the Census Bureau's latest five-year estimate, so 10% down is roughly $27,130. That money competes with student loans, retirement savings and the emergency fund, so we put them on one timeline and work out how much home the monthly payment really supports.
Should I pay off student loans or start investing?
It usually depends on the interest rate and whether your employer matches your 401(k). The match is the first place to put money, and after that the rate on the loans decides how to split the rest between paying them down and investing. We run it with your actual balances instead of a rule of thumb.
What happens to property taxes when I buy a home in Grandville?
Buyers are often surprised by this one. Michigan bills property tax on taxable value, not what you paid, but after a sale the taxable value resets to the State Equalized Value, which is half of market value, so your first bill can be noticeably higher than the seller's. The city assessor handles the Principal Residence Exemption, which removes up to 18 mills of school operating tax from a home you live in, so file it as soon as you close.
Does Grandville have a city income tax?
No. Grandville does not charge one. 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 $562.50 on $75,000, and working in Walker means 0.5%. It goes into your cash flow so take-home pay holds no surprises.
Does overtime, commission or variable pay change how you plan?
Yes, and it usually makes a plan more useful. When pay swings from month to month, we build the budget on your base pay and send the extra toward specific goals like the down payment or debt, so a good month builds something and a slow month does not throw the plan off.
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, Grandville 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.