Category Archives: Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor

Alternative Investments, Chicago Area Investment Advisor, Chicago Area Private Wealth, Family Office, Fiduciary Advisor, Financial Planning, Hinsdale Investment Advisor, Private Wealth, Real Estate, Real Estate Sale, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Selling a Business, Wealth Management, Western Chicago Suburbs Investment Advisor

Unlocking Your Real Estate Windfall: Why an Investment Advisor is Your Essential Partner

Posted on by Bill Seyfarth
29
Sep

 

Selling a real estate asset – be it a strategic rental property or a bustling commercial building – is more than just a transaction. It’s often a transformative financial milestone, representing years of dedicated equity building, meticulous planning, and unwavering hard work. The substantial proceeds from such a sale are a testament to your efforts.

But here’s the critical question: What comes next? The decisions you make with this newfound capital are just as vital as the sale itself. Navigating the intricate landscape of taxes, identifying lucrative investment opportunities, and securing your long-term financial stability demands a level of expertise many of us don’t possess. This is precisely where the seasoned guidance of an experienced investment advisor becomes not just valuable, but essential.

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Endowments and Foundations, Family Office, Fiduciary Advisor, Financial Planning, Investment Strategy, Pensions, Selecting a 401(k) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting a 403(B) Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Pension Plan Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Endowment or Foundation Investment Advisor, Wealth Management

The Vista of Insight and the Mark of Excellence: Why We Founded Vistamark Investments

Posted on by Matthew Rice
20
Sep

 

We founded Vistamark Investments LLC because we knew that clients and institutions deserve a new standard of partnership. Our careers have given us an insider’s perspective on how much the industry needed to evolve. We saw firsthand how investment firms too often fall back on “off-the-shelf” solutions, ignore experience-driven innovation, and fail to build around what investors and organizations truly need. Vistamark isn’t just an advisor practice—it’s a purpose-built, full-service investment platform that blends world-class research, technology, and bespoke client service.

Our name reflects our philosophy: Vistamark stands for the Vista of Insight and the Mark of Excellence. We’re driven to offer a broad perspective on each client’s financial landscape—paired with relentless standards and an unwavering commitment to best-in-class results. Every relationship, every investment strategy, every partnership is held to our mark of excellence.

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Alternative Investments, Chicago Area Investment Advisor, Family Office, Fiduciary Advisor, Hedge Fund Strategies, Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Private Wealth, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Selling a Business, Wealth Management

Selling Your Small Business: A Roadmap to a Successful Exit

Posted on by Bill Seyfarth
12
Sep

 

Selling the business you’ve poured your heart and soul into is a monumental decision. It’s a moment that can redefine your financial future, secure your legacy, and open doors to new adventures. Yet, it’s also a complex journey, fraught with potential pitfalls if not navigated carefully.

Whether you’re dreaming of retirement, eyeing a new entrepreneurial challenge, or adapting to changing life circumstances, preparing your business for sale demands strategic thought, meticulous planning, and flawless execution. This guide is designed to walk you through the essential considerations every small business owner should weigh before putting their cherished venture on the market.

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Alternative Investments, Fiduciary Advisor, Private Equity, Private Wealth, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Wealth Management

How RIAs and Bank Trust Departments Are Elevating Their Investment Game Through Outsourced CIO Solutions

Posted on by Matthew Rice
05
Sep

 

In today’s fast-changing financial services landscape, Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) firms and Bank Trust Departments face a critical challenge: delivering sophisticated investment strategies and outstanding client service—often with fewer resources than large national competitors. To remain competitive and cultivate sustainable growth, many forward-thinking firms are partnering with an outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO). This solution provides institutional-quality investment management at a fraction of the cost—typically $180,000 to $230,000 annually, according to Cornerstone Research—compared to hiring an equally skilled in-house CIO and support team. For these agile firms, the shift isn’t just about keeping pace; it’s about strategically positioning themselves to outperform and compete well above their weight class.

 

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Alternative Investments, Covered Call Strategies, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Tax-Loss Harvesting, Wealth Management

Breaking Free from Concentrated Stock Positions: Advanced Tax Strategies That Transform Your Portfolio

Posted on by Sean McEvilly
24
Aug

For many successful executives, entrepreneurs, and long-term investors, a concentrated stock position is a testament to their hard work and success. It’s also a paradox: a source of tremendous wealth that can feel impossible to diversify without facing a devastating tax bill.

If you’ve built substantial equity through stock options, inherited a large position, or simply held a winning investment for years, the question remains: How do you break free and reduce your risk without triggering massive tax consequences?

Traditional tax-loss harvesting often falls short when dealing with positions that have substantial embedded gains. When your cost basis is near zero and your wealth is tied up in a single stock, the conventional wisdom of “just sell and diversify” is financially devastating.

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Alternative Investments, Family Office, Investment Strategy, Private Equity, Private Wealth, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Wealth Management

Preserving and Amplifying Dynastic Wealth: The Strategic Imperative of Private Equity for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Investors and Family Offices

Posted on by Bill Seyfarth
23
Aug

 

For ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) investors and family offices, the mandate extends beyond mere capital growth; it encompasses the sophisticated preservation and intergenerational amplification of dynastic wealth. In an investment landscape characterized by unprecedented market dynamics, persistent inflationary pressures, and a demand for superior, uncorrelated returns, the strategic allocation of capital today will define legacies for decades to come. Increasingly, private equity (PE) has transitioned from an alternative allocation to an indispensable core strategy for discerning investors seeking to navigate these complexities and secure their financial future. Here’s why private equity warrants a preeminent position within your diversified portfolio.

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Chicago Area Investment Advisor, Divorce, Fiduciary Advisor, High Net Worth Divorce, Hinsdale Investment Advisor, Illinois Divorce, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Wealth Management

Your Next Chapter: Smart Money Moves for Illinois High-Net-Worth Divorcees

Posted on by Bill Seyfarth
23
Aug

Divorce is a seismic event, but for high-net-worth individuals, it’s not just an emotional upheaval—it’s a complete financial re-architecture. If you’ve recently navigated the complexities of asset division, you know the initial settlement is just the beginning. The post-divorce landscape, especially in states with equitable distribution laws like Illinois, presents both formidable challenges and powerful opportunities for wealthy spouses.

Whether you’ve always managed your finances or relied on your partner’s expertise, this new chapter demands immediate, strategic action. Protecting your newly independent financial position, understanding state-specific tax implications, and mastering legal requirements are paramount.

Let’s break down the essential steps to secure and grow your wealth as you embrace your new financial independence.

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IRA Contributions, Roth Contributions, Roth IRA Conversion, Roth vs. Traditional Contributions, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Tax-Loss Harvesting, Traditional Contributions, Wealth Management

How to Blend After-Tax, Roth, and Traditional Qualified Accounts to Optimize After-Tax Investment Returns

Posted on by Bill Seyfarth
17
Aug

 

Blending after-tax (taxable), Roth, and traditional qualified accounts in an investment strategy is essential for optimizing total after-tax returns. Each account type offers unique tax advantages, and combining them strategically—through asset location and tax diversification—can significantly enhance your portfolio’s efficiency and flexibility.

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Medicare Advantage, Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, Medicare IRMAA, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Traditional Medicare, Traditional Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

Don’t Let the Medicare IRMAA Ambush Your Retirement: How to Avoid or Appeal the Surcharge

Posted on by Bill Seyfarth
16
Aug

 

Retirement is a time many of us envision with ease, filled with newfound freedom and financial security. Yet, for a growing number of retirees, an unexpected and often substantial expense can quickly cast a shadow on those golden years: the Medicare Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. Often dubbed a “stealth tax,” IRMAA can significantly inflate your Medicare premiums, turning a planned budget upside down.

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Medicare Advantage, Selecting a Family Office Investment Advisor, Selecting a Private Wealth Investment Advisor, Selecting an Investment Advisor, Social Security, Social Security claiming strategy, Traditional Medicare, Traditional Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

A Guide to Smart Social Security Claiming Strategies

Posted on by Bill Seyfarth
14
Aug

 

For many of us, Social Security isn’t just a government program; it’s a cornerstone of our retirement dreams. But here’s the kicker: the timing and method you choose to claim those benefits can dramatically shape your financial landscape for decades to come. It’s not a one-size-fits-all decision, and getting it right is crucial for a secure and comfortable retirement.

While your Social Security claiming strategy is distinct from your Medicare enrollment choices (Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage, for example), the thought process behind both is remarkably similar. In both cases, you’re weighing your personal circumstances, future needs, and financial goals to make a long-term decision. Let’s delve into the primary considerations that should guide your Social Security claiming strategy.

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