Walker, MI · Kent County
A Financial Advisor in Walker Who Actually Works for You
You're working hard in Walker. But between the job offer you're weighing, a city tax that never made it into your budget, and a 401(k) you set up your first week, every month without a plan is a month of hoping it works out. We build a real plan around your life and make sure it gets done.
You're Making Good Money in Walker, but Something Keeps Slipping Through
Walker has a tax most of Michigan doesn't: the city takes a piece of your paycheck before you ever see it. Almost no financial advice mentions it, and it is easy to miss when you compare job offers, because the salary looks right and the take-home pay doesn't.
Add a 401(k) you haven't looked at since you started, a home you'd like to buy sooner rather than later, and student loans still in the background, and it's a lot to sort out by yourself.
Every one of those decisions is small on its own. Together they compound for decades, and the longer they go unaddressed, the more expensive they get to fix.
Before vs. After Villaire Financial
Without a Plan
- Comparing job offers on salary alone, then surprised by take-home pay
- City income tax you never planned for in your monthly budget
- Unsure whether you owe tax in two cities because you live in one and work in another
- A 401(k) match you're not sure you're capturing
- Saving for a home with no timeline and no clear number
- Googling your way through major decisions and hoping you got it right
With Villaire Financial
- Offers compared on what actually lands in your account
- City tax built into your cash flow from the start
- Your situation checked with your tax preparer, so nothing gets missed
- The full match captured and contributions set to fit your tax picture
- A down payment plan that fits alongside retirement
- 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 not sure it's going to the right places. Right accounts, right order, right amounts. 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.
Anyone Weighing a Job Change
A new offer changes your taxes, your benefits and your savings rate. We run the real numbers so you can say yes or no with confidence.
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 Walker 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 Walker, 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 Walker
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 Walker. 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 Walker Usually Ask First
Does Walker, MI have a city income tax?
Yes. Walker collects a 1% income tax from residents and 0.5% from nonresidents who earn wages in the city. Grand Rapids collects 1.5% from residents and 0.75% from nonresidents. On an $85,000 salary, that is $850 a year if you live in Walker, or $1,275 if you live in Grand Rapids and $637.50 if you only commute there. We build it into your cash flow and count it whenever you compare job offers.
If I live in Walker and work in Grand Rapids, do I pay both city taxes?
You can end up filing in both cities, and each city has its own rules for credits and for work-from-home days. Walker publishes guidance on remote-work wages for nonresidents in its Income Tax FAQ number 14, and its Income Tax Department can be reached at 616-791-6880. Because the details depend on where you live and where your wages are earned, it is worth having a tax preparer confirm your case, and Chris works alongside your preparer so the financial plan uses the same numbers as your return.
How much does a financial advisor cost in Walker, 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. The firm is built for people who are still building wealth.
Can you help me compare two job offers in different cities?
Yes. A fair comparison counts salary, benefits, the 401(k) match, health costs and city income tax together. A 1% resident tax on an $85,000 salary is $850 a year, which is small next to a difference in match but large enough to notice.
How much do I need to buy a home in Walker?
The median Walker home is valued at about $295,200, according to the Census Bureau's latest five-year estimate, so 10% down is roughly $29,520. We work out how much of that you can fund without slowing your retirement savings, and how much home the monthly payment really supports. Michigan also resets a home's taxable value when it sells, so the seller's tax bill is not the one you will pay.
Where do my employer benefits fit into the plan?
They are where the plan starts. Meijer's corporate offices are in Walker, at 2929 Walker Avenue NW. If you work there or anywhere else in the metro area, Chris reads your benefits summary before he recommends anything: the 401(k) match, your health plan and HSA options, and any stock or profit-sharing program. They change what the right contribution and account mix look like.
Do I need to come downtown to meet?
No. Everything can be done by video and digitally. The office is about 15 minutes from Walker if you want to meet in person, by appointment only, with parking validated in the garage attached to the building.
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.
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
- City of Walker, income tax rates
- City of Walker, Income Tax page
- City of Grand Rapids, Income Tax Department
- Census Reporter, Walker city, Kent County (ACS 2024 5-year)
- 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.