Financial Advisors / Wealth Managers Who Are Comfortable With REI & Alts

Financial Advisors / Wealth Managers Who Are Comfortable With REI & Alts

Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 17 votes

BP Fam -

I'm looking for financial advisors who specialize in real estate, private lending, syndications, and other alternative investments. I'm hoping the investors on this platform can point me in the right direction!

I am a broker and investor. As I'm sure is true for many folks here, I don't have a "conventional" financial picture. My income is high but inconsistent. Don't have a W2 with a 401K. Don't currently have kids or dependents, so I'm not super focused on estate planning, retirement, or the typical things that financial planners work on. However, I do have experience investing in real estate (both directly and indirectly), and I have substantial capital that I'm looking to allocate. I am hoping to find an expert that I can build a relationship with and work together on an overall wealth building strategy.

Examples of the kind of "vanilla" advice that I'm NOT looking for:

- Max out your company's retirement match

- Create a diversified, well-balanced portfolio of stocks, bonds, etfs, mutual funds

- Set aside money for college savings

- Pay someone 1% a year to manage a portfolio that will roughly match the stock market, at best

What I AM looking for:

- How to balance capital growth, preservation, and income generation

- Help plan and grow a portfolio that will include direct real estate as well as LP investments, plus other alternatives like notes, private credit, private equity, and... ???

- Help evaluate investment opportunities, vet deal sponsors

- Look at overall portfolio allocation and risk - do I have too much exposure to multifamily? Should I have assets that are not correlated to real estate? etc.

- Introduce new opportunities and new types of investments that I might not even know about

- Ideally, someone who works on a fee or hourly basis, not AUM. Not looking to move all capital to one place for someone else to manage.

The big question: Does this type of professional exist?? 

I've been doing a lot of research and have reached out to several investment advisors. So far, it seems like most of them fall under the "conventional" category. They either charge AUM or flat fee. But for the most part their business is helping families with relatively stable income who want to set up a safe and diversified portfolio, plan for retirement and college, etc. 

Do any real estate investors here have experience with an advisor like what I described above? Is there another category of professionals that I should be looking for (other than CFA, CFP, RIA)? Maybe part of the problem is that when someone holds one of these certifications, their professional standards prevent them from giving advice that would be seen as too "risky?"

I'm located in Southern California, and it would be great to find someone local. But that's not a dealbreaker.

Let me know if anyone can shed light on this, or recommend a rockstar that you have worked with. Thanks in advance!

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Jason WrayPro Member
Banker · Nationwide · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
2y

Marc,

There are a lot of great companies who offer wealth management and specialize in REI. One company I would advise is "3 Bell Capital" out in California their CEO John Porter is an extremely smart guy when it comes to REI. You may not get him directly but you can also reach out Sunkul Soni he works a 3 Bell as a Senior Wealth Manager.

I would tell you to reach out to Sunkul Soni and I believe he is also a Bigger Pockets member as well.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Jason WrayPro Member
    Banker · Nationwide · Member since 2020 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y

    Marc,

    There are a lot of great companies who offer wealth management and specialize in REI. One company I would advise is "3 Bell Capital" out in California their CEO John Porter is an extremely smart guy when it comes to REI. You may not get him directly but you can also reach out Sunkul Soni he works a 3 Bell as a Senior Wealth Manager.

    I would tell you to reach out to Sunkul Soni and I believe he is also a Bigger Pockets member as well.

  • Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 17 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Jason Wray:

    Marc,

    There are a lot of great companies who offer wealth management and specialize in REI. One company I would advise is "3 Bell Capital" out in California their CEO John Porter is an extremely smart guy when it comes to REI. You may not get him directly but you can also reach out Sunkul Soni he works a 3 Bell as a Senior Wealth Manager.

    I would tell you to reach out to Sunkul Soni and I believe he is also a Bigger Pockets member as well.

     Thanks for the tip, @Jason Wray!

  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Marc Sinnott:

    BP Fam -

    I'm looking for financial advisors who specialize in real estate, private lending, syndications, and other alternative investments. I'm hoping the investors on this platform can point me in the right direction!

    I am a broker and investor. As I'm sure is true for many folks here, I don't have a "conventional" financial picture. My income is high but inconsistent. Don't have a W2 with a 401K. Don't currently have kids or dependents, so I'm not super focused on estate planning, retirement, or the typical things that financial planners work on. However, I do have experience investing in real estate (both directly and indirectly), and I have substantial capital that I'm looking to allocate. I am hoping to find an expert that I can build a relationship with and work together on an overall wealth building strategy.

    Examples of the kind of "vanilla" advice that I'm NOT looking for:

    - Max out your company's retirement match

    - Create a diversified, well-balanced portfolio of stocks, bonds, etfs, mutual funds

    - Set aside money for college savings

    - Pay someone 1% a year to manage a portfolio that will roughly match the stock market, at best

    What I AM looking for:

    - How to balance capital growth, preservation, and income generation

    - Help plan and grow a portfolio that will include direct real estate as well as LP investments, plus other alternatives like notes, private credit, private equity, and... ???

    - Help evaluate investment opportunities, vet deal sponsors

    - Look at overall portfolio allocation and risk - do I have too much exposure to multifamily? Should I have assets that are not correlated to real estate? etc.

    - Introduce new opportunities and new types of investments that I might not even know about

    - Ideally, someone who works on a fee or hourly basis, not AUM. Not looking to move all capital to one place for someone else to manage.

    The big question: Does this type of professional exist?? 

    I've been doing a lot of research and have reached out to several investment advisors. So far, it seems like most of them fall under the "conventional" category. They either charge AUM or flat fee. But for the most part their business is helping families with relatively stable income who want to set up a safe and diversified portfolio, plan for retirement and college, etc. 

    Do any real estate investors here have experience with an advisor like what I described above? Is there another category of professionals that I should be looking for (other than CFA, CFP, RIA)? Maybe part of the problem is that when someone holds one of these certifications, their professional standards prevent them from giving advice that would be seen as too "risky?"

    I'm located in Southern California, and it would be great to find someone local. But that's not a dealbreaker.

    Let me know if anyone can shed light on this, or recommend a rockstar that you have worked with. Thanks in advance!


     Send me a private message and I can connect you with several. We run a mortage note fund which for RIA's and investment advisors is considered "alternative" compared to the 60/40 split. So we work with many who love alts compared to the old school investment strategies. 

    7e investments53 Reviews
  • Accountant · Bryn Mawr, PA · Member since 2023 · 409 posts · 321 votes
    2y

    @Marc Sinnott

    Yes, we do exist definitely the minority but you will find what you are looking for.  The effort required for a client like yourself is true deep work that traditional advisors won't touch.  The industry is changing slowly and compliance is a drag for sure.      

    Jon Bock, CPA/PFS

  • Sean O'KeefePro Member
    CPA | Accepting new clients | 50 States · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 871 votes
    2y

    Following - I'm based in California

  • Scott JensenPro Member
    Financial Advisor · Blaine, MN · Member since 2014 · 478 posts · 387 votes
    2y

    Self promotion is lame... but what you described is how I work with higher net worth clients. Most advisors don't go near it. 

  • Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 17 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Chris Seveney:
    Quote from @Marc Sinnott:

    BP Fam -

    I'm looking for financial advisors who specialize in real estate, private lending, syndications, and other alternative investments. I'm hoping the investors on this platform can point me in the right direction!

    I am a broker and investor. As I'm sure is true for many folks here, I don't have a "conventional" financial picture. My income is high but inconsistent. Don't have a W2 with a 401K. Don't currently have kids or dependents, so I'm not super focused on estate planning, retirement, or the typical things that financial planners work on. However, I do have experience investing in real estate (both directly and indirectly), and I have substantial capital that I'm looking to allocate. I am hoping to find an expert that I can build a relationship with and work together on an overall wealth building strategy.

    Examples of the kind of "vanilla" advice that I'm NOT looking for:

    - Max out your company's retirement match

    - Create a diversified, well-balanced portfolio of stocks, bonds, etfs, mutual funds

    - Set aside money for college savings

    - Pay someone 1% a year to manage a portfolio that will roughly match the stock market, at best

    What I AM looking for:

    - How to balance capital growth, preservation, and income generation

    - Help plan and grow a portfolio that will include direct real estate as well as LP investments, plus other alternatives like notes, private credit, private equity, and... ???

    - Help evaluate investment opportunities, vet deal sponsors

    - Look at overall portfolio allocation and risk - do I have too much exposure to multifamily? Should I have assets that are not correlated to real estate? etc.

    - Introduce new opportunities and new types of investments that I might not even know about

    - Ideally, someone who works on a fee or hourly basis, not AUM. Not looking to move all capital to one place for someone else to manage.

    The big question: Does this type of professional exist?? 

    I've been doing a lot of research and have reached out to several investment advisors. So far, it seems like most of them fall under the "conventional" category. They either charge AUM or flat fee. But for the most part their business is helping families with relatively stable income who want to set up a safe and diversified portfolio, plan for retirement and college, etc. 

    Do any real estate investors here have experience with an advisor like what I described above? Is there another category of professionals that I should be looking for (other than CFA, CFP, RIA)? Maybe part of the problem is that when someone holds one of these certifications, their professional standards prevent them from giving advice that would be seen as too "risky?"

    I'm located in Southern California, and it would be great to find someone local. But that's not a dealbreaker.

    Let me know if anyone can shed light on this, or recommend a rockstar that you have worked with. Thanks in advance!


     Send me a private message and I can connect you with several. We run a mortage note fund which for RIA's and investment advisors is considered "alternative" compared to the 60/40 split. So we work with many who love alts compared to the old school investment strategies. 

     Thanks @Chris Seveney, will reach out!

  • Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 17 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Jonathan Bock:

    @Marc Sinnott

    Yes, we do exist definitely the minority but you will find what you are looking for.  The effort required for a client like yourself is true deep work that traditional advisors won't touch.  The industry is changing slowly and compliance is a drag for sure.      

    Jon Bock, CPA/PFS

     Thanks for responding, @Jonathan Bock!

  • Real Estate Broker · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 30 posts · 17 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Scott Jensen:

    Self promotion is lame... but what you described is how I work with higher net worth clients. Most advisors don't go near it. 

     Thanks @Scott Jensen, that's what I'm finding out! Will send you a colleague request.

  • Rental Property Investor · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 9 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Chris Seveney:
    Quote from @Marc Sinnott:

    BP Fam -

    I'm looking for financial advisors who specialize in real estate, private lending, syndications, and other alternative investments. I'm hoping the investors on this platform can point me in the right direction!

    I am a broker and investor. As I'm sure is true for many folks here, I don't have a "conventional" financial picture. My income is high but inconsistent. Don't have a W2 with a 401K. Don't currently have kids or dependents, so I'm not super focused on estate planning, retirement, or the typical things that financial planners work on. However, I do have experience investing in real estate (both directly and indirectly), and I have substantial capital that I'm looking to allocate. I am hoping to find an expert that I can build a relationship with and work together on an overall wealth building strategy.

    Examples of the kind of "vanilla" advice that I'm NOT looking for:

    - Max out your company's retirement match

    - Create a diversified, well-balanced portfolio of stocks, bonds, etfs, mutual funds

    - Set aside money for college savings

    - Pay someone 1% a year to manage a portfolio that will roughly match the stock market, at best

    What I AM looking for:

    - How to balance capital growth, preservation, and income generation

    - Help plan and grow a portfolio that will include direct real estate as well as LP investments, plus other alternatives like notes, private credit, private equity, and... ???

    - Help evaluate investment opportunities, vet deal sponsors

    - Look at overall portfolio allocation and risk - do I have too much exposure to multifamily? Should I have assets that are not correlated to real estate? etc.

    - Introduce new opportunities and new types of investments that I might not even know about

    - Ideally, someone who works on a fee or hourly basis, not AUM. Not looking to move all capital to one place for someone else to manage.

    The big question: Does this type of professional exist?? 

    I've been doing a lot of research and have reached out to several investment advisors. So far, it seems like most of them fall under the "conventional" category. They either charge AUM or flat fee. But for the most part their business is helping families with relatively stable income who want to set up a safe and diversified portfolio, plan for retirement and college, etc. 

    Do any real estate investors here have experience with an advisor like what I described above? Is there another category of professionals that I should be looking for (other than CFA, CFP, RIA)? Maybe part of the problem is that when someone holds one of these certifications, their professional standards prevent them from giving advice that would be seen as too "risky?"

    I'm located in Southern California, and it would be great to find someone local. But that's not a dealbreaker.

    Let me know if anyone can shed light on this, or recommend a rockstar that you have worked with. Thanks in advance!


     Send me a private message and I can connect you with several. We run a mortage note fund which for RIA's and investment advisors is considered "alternative" compared to the 60/40 split. So we work with many who love alts compared to the old school investment strategies. 


     Chris, I'm looking for a similar help. Thx

  • Real Estate Agent · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    1y

    @Michael Izbotsky is my personal financial advisor. I'm not sure he can help specifically with this, but if not maybe he can point you in the right direction.

  • Financial Advisor · Los Angeles · Member since 2024 · 9 posts · 7 votes
    1y

    Thanks for the tag @Rick Albert. @Marc Sinnott, I'm a CFP running my own RIA/firm here in LA. Wrote a few thoughts/recommendations below. I'm happy to have a conversation and point you in the right direction. I also linked to a couple useful websites at the bottom of this reply. 

    I highly recommend looking for a fee-only financial planner/advisor, as you mentioned. I don't see hourly offered as much as I do flat fees. Personally, I don't offer hourly advice. I hated paying an old CPA of mine an hourly rate. I ended up doing as much work as I could on my own because I didn't want to be nickeled and dimed every time I had a 5 minute conversation with him. Also, did it really take him 30 minutes to complete a task, or was it truly only 10 minutes? I'll never know...

    A flat fee can mean that the advisor charges a flat fee per project or analysis, or that they charge a flat fee as an annual retainer. I used to offer project based work for a flat fee, but it's no longer time efficient for me. I prefer to have long-lasting ongoing relationships with clients. 

    Not all financial advisors require their clients to invest their money with them. For example, I charge clients an annual flat-fee paid quarterly or monthly, whichever they prefer. This covers all things financial planning. I offer investment management as a separate service and don't require clients to invest any money with me, although most clients do invest with me. I charge a separate fee for the investment management. For clients with large enough balances, I waive the annual flat-fee for the financial planning, essentially bundling both services. 

    With my clients in their 30s and 40s, a lot of our planning/advice revolves around cash flow & business planning, wealth accumulation, and creative financing. For instance, I set up a client with a securities-backed line of credit (SBLOC) against his investment portfolio in order to fund the rehab/renovations of his new property. An SBLOC works mostly the same as a HELOC, but you use your investments as collateral instead of the equity in your home.

    It might be difficult to find an advisor to provide you with the level of detail/expertise you're looking for, but not necessarily impossible. You'll likely have to pay a premium depending how much detail or hands on help you want regarding private equity, LPs, alts, etc. I'm happy to have a conversation and point you in the right direction. 

    You can find other fee-only CFPs here:

    XY Planning Network
    NAPFA
    FeeOnlyNetwork.com

    Looking forward to connecting soon!

    -Michael

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