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Financial Wellness LIVE

Financial Wellness LIVE is all about investing in yourself, your business, and your future. These events highlight the importance of being financially prepared in every area of your life, especially during these unprecedented times.

Upcoming Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness Retirement Summit 2021

Are You Set for Retirement?

Each REALTOR® has a unique vision for retirement. Proactive planning is the first step towards bringing that vision to life. Register now to attend NAR’s Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness Retirement Summit, featuring Morgan Stanley® experts. This four-part virtual series in July will help you shape your vision for retirement and develop steps to ensure your finances are set for the long-term.

Join Mike Engel, Institutional Consulting Director and Director of Corporate Retirement, and Jim Phillips, SVP Wealth Management Financial Advisor and Senior Investment Management Consultant, as they talk about retirement basics, tips for pre-retirees, and investment strategies for independent contractors. The event consists of four one-hour webinars, every Wednesday in July starting at 1 p.m. CT.

Dates & Session Details

July 7, 2-3 p.m. ET
Retirement Planning Basics (Targeted for New Agents)

Saving enough for a comfortable retirement is one of most people's greatest financial goals—and challenges. This session covers the basics, such as planning ahead, learning the essential tenets of investing and understanding popular retirement accounts.

July 14, 2-3 p.m. ET
Getting Retirement Ready (Targeted for Seasoned Agents)

What does the ideal retirement look like? It all depends on your needs and wants. This session discusses everything from the basic considerations for retirement to how to help protect yourself against the unexpected as you near retirement.

July 21, 2-3 p.m. ET
Planning for the Unexpected (Targeted for New Agents)

Life is full of surprises. While we may not be able to predict sudden expenses, we can prepare for them to soften their impact. This session covers ways that individuals and families can protect themselves when “life happens,” with tips on building an emergency fund, exploring insurance options and more.

July 28, 2-3 p.m. ET
Legacy and Estate Planning (Targeted for Seasoned Agents)

Life happens quickly. Making it a priority to coordinate one’s financial and estate plans can be overwhelming. This seminar can help individuals learn how to balance their goals and provide for the people and causes they care about most.

Instructors

Mike Engel

CFA, CIMA®, Institutional Consulting Director, Investing with Impact Director, Alternative Investments Director Corporate, Retirement Director

Mike Engel

Mike’s extensive background covers multiple degrees and certifications including his B.S. in Accounting from Villanova University, his CFA and CIMA through the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, his AIF, and his CPA designation from Arthur Andersen & Co.

Mike has been with Graystone Consulting and predecessor firms for over 30 years. He has experience in providing investment management consulting services to not-for profit organizations, foundations, endowments, pension, profit sharing/401k plans, and high net worth individuals.

Mike served for five years as a Trustee and member of the Investment Committee of Fairfax County Teachers’ Pension Fund. He is also actively involved in his community where he served on multiple boards, local associations, and is a lifetime member of the Eagle Scout Association.

Jim Phillips

Senior Vice President, Alternative Investments Director; Financial Advisor, Senior Investment Management Consultant

Jim Phillips

Jim partners with his clients to help simplify their financial lives and maintain their desired lifestyle throughout retirement. His clients include successful professionals, small business owners, high net worth individuals, not-for-profit organizations, and foundations.

With over 30 years in the financial industry, Jim has been with Morgan Stanley and its predecessor firms since 2003. He is also a member of the firm’s Chairman’s Council. Jim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Wyoming. He also attended Consulting Group University for advanced studies in asset management. Jim is an Eagle Scout, and has been a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America.

Jim and his wife Tammy have been married for 40 years. They enjoy many outdoor-related activities and trips with their children and grandchildren. Jim is also active in his church.

Registration opens May 1, 2021.

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Why Attend?

Experts:

Hear from subject matter experts who will cover in depth financial topics and provide you with tips, worksheets, and guides. By registering and attending the live session, have your questions answered during the live Q&A.

Energy:

Feel equipped to take on your biggest financial challenges. Discover new tips and solutions to help you manage your personal and business financial goals. No matter where you are in your career or stage of financial planning, we have something for you!

Empowerment:

Knowledge is power, especially during these unprecedented times. The need to plan for unforeseen changes has never been more evident. Get new tips and solutions for the next stage of this year, both personally and professionally. Your road to success is one RSVP away.

Learn More

Check out the Center for REALTOR® Financial Wellness and learn more about navigating your financial journey in the video below.

Financial Wellness LIVE: Tax Summit (February 2021)

Pay to view

Let’s face it, filing taxes can cause a lot of anxiety. As a new agent, managing tax documents, understanding complex returns, and constant tax law changes makes preparing a tax return a tedious process. Pay to view the session materials from the experts and get the tips you need to save time and money while reducing your stress.

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Real Estate Agents Tax Guide 101

Michael Westwick, CPA, Director of Finance and Senior Tax Manager

Do you think you spend too much time on your taxes? In this webinar you’ll learn what are the common missed deductions that real estate agents can overlook. We’ll review tax strategies that can be used for either new or seasoned agents. There will also be opportunities to review different business entities and the impact taxes can have on each. With these tips, this session will help point out ways to pay the least amount to the IRS.

Michael Westwick:

Mike Westwick

Michael is a licensed Certified Public Account and licensed financial Advisor. He has worked at numerous accounting firms and investment firms before Stitely & Karstetter. Michael is in charge of the individual and small business tax practice at Stitely & Karstetter. Michael is also the Director of Finance for Capitol View Wealth Management. Michael uses his knowledge to help his clients pay the least in taxes and save for retirement. He started his financial advising career working with real estate agents. To date he has set up hundreds of retirement plans for real estate agents and real estate related clients. Michael also serves on the board of directors for the Loudoun Estate planning council and the Dulles Chamber.

What to Do If You’ve Got IRS Trouble

Heather C. Liston, CFP, E.A. Vice President & Advisor at Hargrave Fiduciary Advisors, LLC

Taxes are complicated in the best of times, and the last couple of years have not been the best of times. Constant changes in the tax law, redesign of basic forms, and changes in enforcement priorities have left a lot of people with unexpected tax liabilities, not to mention fines, late fees, and interest. We’ll talk about how to get back on the right foot with tax withholding and reporting, and what to do if you find yourself at odds with the IRS.

  • How to avoid owing money: Estimated taxes, managing your withholding, and the importance of filing
  • IRS errors: How to spot them; how to handle them
  • What if it’s not your fault? Injured spouse and innocent spouse remedies
  • Worst-case scenarios: liens, garnishments, and more
  • Statutes of Limitations
  • Mitigations: Appeals, payment plans, amended returns

Heather C. Liston:

Heather Liston

Heather Liston is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and an Enrolled Agent. She does fee-only financial planning through Hargrave Fiduciary Advisors (HargraveFA.com), and also prepares tax returns. Heather studied liberal arts at Princeton University and earned a Masters in Accounting at the New York University Graduate School of Business Administration, and a Certificate in Personal Financial Planning from the University of California at Berkeley. She teaches financial planning courses (including Income Tax and Retirement Planning) and Accounting at UC Berkeley Extension, and at Golden Gate University in San Francisco.

Increase Personal Wealth by Spotting Opportunities for Improvement in Your Tax Return

Rich Arzaga, CFP, AIF, Founder and CEO of Cornerstone Wealth Management

Now is the time to gather your documents and go through the process of completing your return. This is also the time when many taxpayers feel a little anxiety and uncertainty as they ask themselves:

  • Did I do the best I could to minimize taxes and create more opportunities for personal wealth?
  • Is there anything more I can do to take advantage of my unique position as a REALTOR® and independent contractor?
  • What exactly should I be looking for in my return, and what does it mean?

In this webinar, a Certified Financial Planner will walk through a federal income tax return and point out frequently missed planning opportunities. He will explain areas in the Form 1040 that offer the most opportunity to save taxes and build personal wealth. These are lessons that can help you for this year, and the rest of your life. Following a 45-minute walk through and education, he will take questions that are important to you.

Rich Arzaga:

Rich Arzaga

Rich Arzaga is a Certified Financial Planner, an Accredited Investment Fiduciary, a former REALTOR®, and the founder and CEO of Cornerstone Wealth Management. He is also a long-time Adjunct-Professor in the UC Berkeley Personal Financial Planning program. Rich has offered to make himself available as a resource to members of the National Association of REALTORS® and participants in its Financial Wellness Program.

A Deeper Dive Into Several Real Estate Tax Topics

Evan Liddiard, CPA, NAR Director of Federal Tax Policy and Policy Advocacy

Tax issues are everywhere you look in the real estate world. From deciding whether you will operate as a sole proprietor filing a Schedule C on your Form 1040 to deducting the costs of a home office to understanding the basics of the qualified business income deduction, tax decisions are integral to the business of a real estate professional.

Many of your clients (or maybe you) own rental property. How well do you understand the basics of depreciating real property or the vacation home rules? This webinar will cover these topics, as well as the fundamentals of 1031 like-kind exchanges and gains and losses on sales of real estate.

Evan Liddiard:

Evan Liddiard

Evan Liddiard, CPA, joined NAR in 2013 after serving for more than 20 years on the staff of Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), former chairman of the Finance Committee. Mr. Liddiard was Senator Hatch’s lead advisor on tax policy issues. Evan also has extensive experience working for several CPA firms. Mr. Liddiard received his B.S. in Accounting from the University of Utah and also has graduate degrees from George Washington University and American University, where he is an adjunct professor in the tax program.

Our March 2020 Event

Wednesday, March 4, 2020 marked the first Financial Wellness LIVE Event.

Special thanks to the BayEast Association staff for being a gracious host and for our well-versed speakers who provided detailed information on various financial subjects. It was an honor to also have support from John Flor, 2020 NAR Treasurer representing the NAR leadership team and the visionary for this program, Bill Brown, 2017 NAR President.

If you were not able to attend this LIVE session or would like more information on the topics that were discussed, please see the presentations below for details. Subjects covered the following:

Financial Wellness Live, March 2020

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Getting Your Financial House in Order

Victoria Gillespie, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the National Association of REALTORS®

Productive and successful Real Estate Professionals provide impeccable client service and take care of all the needs of their clients during the transactions and beyond. Highly Successful Professionals take it one step further in developing solid financial habits for themselves and their families.

Victoria Gillespie, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of the National Association of REALTORS®, will help you develop and keep healthy financial habits that will improve the success of your personal and business financial well-being.

Download presentation (PPTX: 33.6 MB)

Strategies for Investors

Matthew Ritchie President/Broker Ritchie Real Estate, LLC

Investing in real estate can offer several advantages over other types of investments, including potentially higher returns, stability, inflation hedging, and diversification.

Matt Ritchie, President/Broker Ritchie Real Estate, LLC will cover topics on how to get capital to invest, managing the asset, analyzing the investment, and the importance of selecting the right property. This informative session will help lay the foundation and emphasize why investing in real estate is a great way to build wealth and fund your retirement.

Download presentation (PPTX: 5.36 MB)

Retirement Planning for Independent Contractors

Mike Engel, Director of Corporate Retirement and National Strategic Partner for Graystone Consulting
Jim Phillips, SVP Wealth Management Financial Advisor and Senior Investment Management Consultant

Each REALTOR® has a unique vision for his/her retirement; so, proactive planning is the first step towards bringing that vision to life. This seminar will help REALTORS® determine how much they will need for the retirement they envision and how to develop a retirement strategy that maximizes their likelihood of success.

Join Mike Engel, Director of Corporate Retirement and National Strategic Partner for Graystone Consulting and Jim Phillips, SVP Wealth Management Financial Advisor and Senior Investment Management Consultant, as they talk about different retirement strategies for independent contractors.

Download presentation (PPTX: 5.64 MB)

What’s Your Exit Strategy?

Michael Soon Lee, Broker Associate at Realty One Group Future

Whether you are a new or seasoned real estate professional, its never too early to start thinking about retirement. Instructor Michael Soon Lee is here to teach you how to quickly and easily save for retirement. Learn valuable information such as: ‘Why most REALTORS® can never retire’, ‘How to save for retirement when it’s hard to make ends meet’, ‘The importance of planning your long-term care’, and so much more.

Download presentation (PPTX: 13 MB)
Download handout (PDF: 65 KB)