Zeeland, MI · Ottawa County
A Financial Advisor in Zeeland Who Actually Works for You
You're building a career in Zeeland, where the big employers come with real benefits and stock. But a benefits package nobody walked you through and a first home you'd like to buy all land at once, and no one is putting them together. We build a real plan around your life, by video, and make sure it gets done.
You're Making Good Money in Zeeland, but Your Benefits Are Doing More Than You Realize
Zeeland is home to some of West Michigan's biggest employers, including Gentex and MillerKnoll, and jobs like that often come with more moving parts than a paycheck: a 401(k) match, stock or stock purchase plans, and health plan choices that change your take-home pay.
Most people pick the defaults and move on. The first home and the emergency fund still need funding, and getting help should not mean a 25-minute drive to Grand Rapids. It doesn't.
Stock and benefits decisions are hard to undo once the window closes, and the longer they go unaddressed, the more expensive they get to fix.
Before vs. After Villaire Financial
Without a Plan
- Stock or equity at work that you don't fully understand
- Open enrollment choices made in ten minutes and locked in for a year
- Company stock making up more of your net worth than you realized
- Not sure how much of your paycheck should go to the 401(k)
- Wanting to buy a home and not knowing how much to save first
- Googling your way through major decisions and hoping you got it right
With Villaire Financial
- Your equity explained and put to work in the plan
- Benefits chosen on purpose, with the numbers in front of you
- A plan for how much company stock belongs in your portfolio
- A contribution rate set for your income and goals
- A down payment timeline that still funds 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.
Professionals at Large Employers
A strong income, a benefits package with more moving parts than anyone explained, and stock you are not sure what to do with. We make it work together.
Salaried Professionals
A steady salary, maybe a bonus or stock, and no one who has ever put the pieces together. We do that.
Couples Planning Their Next Step
A first home, a second income, or kids on the way. We put each goal on one timeline so they stop competing.
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 Zeeland 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 25 minutes from Zeeland, 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 Zeeland
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 25 minutes from Zeeland. 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 Zeeland 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 25 minutes from Zeeland, by appointment only, with parking validated in the garage attached to the building.
How much does a financial advisor cost in Zeeland, 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 do my employer's benefits fit into the plan?
According to Lakeshore Advantage, Gentex and MillerKnoll are among the area employers with 700 or more employees each, and both are headquartered in Zeeland. Benefit packages at big employers vary, and none of it is visible from the outside, so we start with your plan documents and the enrollment choices in front of you: the match, the stock options and the health plan. That tells us how much should go into each account.
Should I hold my employer's stock or diversify?
Holding a lot of your employer's stock ties your paycheck and your savings to the same company, so if the company struggles, both suffer at once. We look at how much of your net worth is in company stock, how the shares are taxed when you sell, and how much belongs in your portfolio, then set a plan for the rest.
How much do I need to buy a home in Zeeland?
The median home in Zeeland is valued at about $299,000, according to the Census Bureau's latest five-year estimate, so 10% down is roughly $29,900. That is a lot of cash to save while also funding a 401(k) and paying down debt, so we map a timeline that lets you buy without giving up either.
What happens to property taxes when I buy a home in Zeeland?
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 Zeeland have a city income tax?
No. Zeeland 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 $787.50 on $105,000, 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, Zeeland city (ACS 2024 5-year)
- Lakeshore Advantage, major employers
- Gentex Corporation, official contact page (confirms Zeeland headquarters)
- MillerKnoll, official terms of use (confirms Zeeland headquarters)
- 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.