Financial advisors for real estate investors in California
Which financial advisor should I talk to about real estate investing in California?
For real estate investors in California, talk to a fee-only planner who counts your properties in the plan, even though they don't manage them. Many advisors only look at assets they can bill on, so ask about this early. Records to start with include Alex Caswell-Yatsenko of Wealth Script Advisors, David Lyon of Lyon Wealth Advisory and Matthias Giezendanner of San Francisco Wealth Planning LLC.
Where to start
Chosen from what each record shows: credentials that fit this work and fees on file, one advisor per firm.
- Alex Caswell-Yatsenko Wealth Script Advisors, San Francisco Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, flat fee or retainer.
- David Lyon Lyon Wealth Advisory, San Deigo Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: flat fee or retainer, ongoing planning fee.
- Matthias Giezendanner San Francisco Wealth Planning LLC, Petaluma Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, ongoing planning fee.
- Mira Ma Marim Wealth Planning, LLC, San Mateo Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, ongoing planning fee.
- Greg Crofton Adap Tax Financial, Inc., Pleasanton Holds the EA and CFP. Fees on file: hourly, flat fee or retainer.
- Taylor Schulte Define Financial, San Diego Holds the CFP. Fees on file: percentage of assets, flat fee or retainer.
How many fee-only financial advisors in California work with real estate investors?
The Wellspent public graph lists 73 fee-only advisors for real estate investors in California, at 33 firms. We counted every advisor record that lists this work, as of October 2026.
Where are fee-only advisors for real estate investors in California located?
Of the 73 fee-only advisors for real estate investors in California, 11 are in San Diego, followed by 9 in Santa Barbara and 7 in Westlake Village.
Plus 33 in other cities.
How do fee-only advisors for real estate investors in California charge?
The most common fee among fee-only advisors for real estate investors in California is a percentage of assets, used by 74% of the 73 with fees on file. Many use more than one: 34% charge by the hour and 34% charge fixed fees.
How much do fee-only financial advisors charge in California?
Fee-only financial advisors in California charge a median of $6,000 a year for ongoing planning. We found this across the published prices of 112 California firms.
How much does a one-time financial plan cost in California?
A one-time financial plan from a fee-only firm in California has a median price of $2,500. We found this across the published prices of 111 California firms.
What credentials should a financial advisor for real estate investors have?
For real estate investors, look for the CPA, EA and CFP. In California, 51% of the 73 advisors listed hold the CFP.
- CPA1% in California
- CPAs handle depreciation and 1031 exchange tax.
- EA8% in California
- Enrolled agents help with rental income and passive loss rules.
- CFP51% in California
- The CFP puts the properties in the wider plan.
How do California advisors for real estate investors compare with the rest of the US?
34% of fee-only advisors for real estate investors in California charge fixed fees, compared with 46% of the 313 listed across the US. That's the largest difference in the Wellspent public graph between the two groups.
Dark bars are California. Light bars are all US advisors for real estate investors.
Does California tax income on top of federal tax?
Yes. California has a state income tax, so a financial plan for a California resident should project it alongside federal tax.
What should I ask a financial advisor about real estate investing in California?
- How do you bill when most of my wealth is in property?
- How would you plan a sale, including a 1031 exchange?
- How much of my net worth should stay in real estate?
- How do you treat rental income in my retirement plan?
- How will you plan for California tax alongside federal tax?
How current is this list of fee-only advisors for real estate investors in California?
Wellspent last checked these records against SEC records in October 2026 and firm websites in October 2026. Each advisor's page shows the date for that record.
All 73 advisors
| Advisor | Firm | City | Credentials | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Faber Collaborative, do-it-with-you hourly or flat-fee planning for people who want to stay in control, with no product sales or ongoing fees. | DIWY Financial Planning | Los Angeles | CFP, ChFC, CLU, MBA | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Emily Nilsson Hourly, project or ongoing planning that centers the person, helping clients build a healthier, more personal relationship with money. | Brava Financial, LLC | San Diego | CDFA, CFP, JD | One-time planning fee, Hourly |
| Michael Rodriguez Flat-fee, advice-only planning for first-generation wealth builders and young families buying homes, merging finances and raising kids. | Equanimity Wealth | Glendale | CFP | Subscription, One-time planning fee |
| Charles Stermetz | Equity For The Win (EquityFTW) | San Jose | CEP, CFP | Hourly, Fixed fees |
| Christina Empedocles | Insight Personal Finance | San Francisco | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Lyon | Lyon Wealth Advisory | San Deigo | CFP, EA, CRPC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Alex Caswell | Wealth Script Advisors | San Francisco | CFP, CFA, EA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Alex Caswell-Yatsenko | Wealth Script Advisors | San Francisco | CFA, CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Greg Crofton | Adap Tax Financial, Inc. | Pleasanton | CFP, EA | Hourly, Flat fee or retainer |
| Matthias Giezendanner | San Francisco Wealth Planning LLC | Petaluma | CFP, EA | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Mira Ma | Marim Wealth Planning, LLC | San Mateo | CFP, CTEC, EA, RFC | Percentage of assets, Ongoing planning fee |
| Neil Portus | Olivehurst Advisors LLC | Roseville | CFP, CFA, MBA, TPCP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Jonathan Heagle | Mountain Vista Wealth Management | Santa Barbara | CFP, CFA | Hourly |
| Taylor Schulte Tax-smart retirement planning for investors with a $2MM+ nest egg. | Define Financial | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Christian Litscher | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP, CFA | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Christine Papelian | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| David Kim | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Jack Stemper | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Jessica Lanning | Lanning Financial | San Francisco | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| John Kenny | Illumination Wealth Management | Berkeley | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Norman Mangina | Illumination Wealth Management | Palm Springs | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Sara Gawick | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Ulrich Keller | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Zachary Benton | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Zane Keller | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Lauren Williams Guiding your family’s wealth | ProsperPlan Wealth | Gold River | CFP | Percentage of assets, One-time planning fee |
| Nicole Peterkin | Peterkin Financial | Encinitas | CFP | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Allison Meier | Arlington Financial Advisors | Santa Barbara | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Cody Makela | Arlington Financial Advisors | Santa Barbara | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Daniel Huffman | Cornerstone Financial Planning | Other | ChFC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Daniel McCurdy | McCurdy Financial Solutions | Rocklin | CFP, ChFC, CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Dianne Duva | Arlington Financial Advisors | Santa Barbara | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joseph Weiland | Arlington Financial Advisors | Santa Barbara | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Joshua Simpson | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | ChFC | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Michael Yang | Arlington Financial Advisors | Santa Barbara | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Nicholas Bzovi | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach | CFA | Percentage of assets |
| Brandon Berman | Total Wealth Services | Westlake Village | CFP | Percentage of assets |
| Maxwell Gallagher | 24Acres Wealth Management | Redondo Beach | CFP | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
| Riley Adams We offer tax, accounting, financial planning, and investment advisory services for small-to-midsize businesses, wealth advisory clients, and high-net worth individuals. | Daniel M Kavanaugh CPA Inc | Pleasanton | CPA | Percentage of assets, Flat fee or retainer |
| Todd Wiersum | Encompass Financial Services | San Diego | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Anna Hong | New Insight Wealth Advisors | San Ramon | ChFC | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Benjamin Rinkey | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Cody Columna | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Dajin Yang | New Insight Wealth Advisors | San Ramon | CFA | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| John Harrington | Ducere Wealth Management | Newport Beach | Not listed | Percentage of assets |
| Matthew Rinkey | Illumination Wealth Management | San Diego | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer, Ongoing planning fee |
| Melanie Perry | Sustainable Wealth Advisory Group | Los Angeles | CFP | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Matthew Powers A modern estate planning firm combining technology with expert attorney support | Steward | San Francisco | Not listed | Flat fee or retainer |
| Arthur Swalley | Arlington Financial Advisors | Santa Barbara | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Hourly |
| Eric Bergquist | LifeSteps Financial | Claremont | Not listed | Percentage of assets, Fixed fees |
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