Firm Info
Firm Size
Services Offered
- Financial Planning
- Portfolio Management for Individuals & Small Businesses
- Portfolio Management for Businesses or Institutional Clients
- Pension Consulting Services
Types of Clients
- Individuals (Not High Net Worth)
-
Individuals High Net Worth
*>=750k in Investable Assets or >=1.5m of Estimated Total Net Worth
- Pension & Profit Sharing Plans
- Corporations or Other Businesses Not Listed Above
Available Fee Structures
- Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)
- Fixed Fees (Other than subscription)
- Commissions
Ballast Advisors, LLC Overview
American Financial Advisors Inc is a fee-only Registered Investment Advisory firm based in Winter Park, FL. The firm has been in business since 1999, providing top-notch financial solutions and advice to clients seeking financial stability and growth. In addition to being a registered investment advisory firm, American Financial Advisors Inc also operates as an insurance broker and agent. The firm's fee arrangement is fee-only, which means clients only pay for the services they receive and not on commission or sales. American Financial Advisors Inc provides a variety of services, including financial planning, portfolio management for individuals and small businesses, and educational seminars and workshops. American Financial Advisors Inc is highly experienced in investment advice, and their team of experts is dedicated to providing clients with tailored advice and financial solutions that best suit their specific needs. The firm strives to offer honest and transparent advice to help clients reach their financial goals, and their fee-only model ensures unbiased advice and recommendations.
BALLAST ADVISORS, LLC serves a diverse array of clients, including both individuals and high net worth individuals, as well as pension or profit sharing plans and other corporate entities. With a focus on providing comprehensive financial planning and investment management services, the firm is equipped to serve a wide range of needs, from retirement planning to estate planning and beyond. In addition to traditional clients, BALLAST ADVISORS, LLC also offers expertise to business owners and entrepreneurs, helping them to navigate the unique challenges and opportunities associated with managing their financial affairs. When it comes to fee structures, BALLAST ADVISORS, LLC offers a number of options that allow clients to tailor their investment management plans to their individual needs. Among the options available are percentage-based fees, which are calculated based on the total assets under management, as well as fixed fees, which may be preferred by clients looking for a more predictable cost structure. Commissions are also available for certain services, allowing clients to choose the fee structure that best fits their needs and financial objectives. Whatever the fee structure, the team at BALLAST ADVISORS, LLC is dedicated to providing transparent and fair pricing that aligns with the best interests of their clients.
Typical Clients, Fee Structures & Investment Minimum
According to the Part 2 Brochure of Ballast Advisors, LLC, there is no mention of any investment minimum. Therefore, it cannot be determined what the firm's investment minimum is from the note in their Part 2 Brochure. Potential investors should inquire about their investment minimum before considering investing with Ballast Advisors, LLC.
How This Office Can Help Punta Gorda, FL Residents
Ballast Advisors is an investment advisory firm located in Punta Gorda, Florida that helps clients navigate complex financial situations, providing guidance and advice to help them achieve their goals. The firm offers a range of services, including wealth management, financial planning, and retirement planning, among others. The experienced team of advisors at Ballast Advisors works closely with each client to gain a deep understanding of their unique financial situation, identifying opportunities and potential risks that are specific to Punta Gorda and the surrounding area. Punta Gorda, FL has a diverse population with varying financial situations, from those approaching retirement to young families just starting out. Ballast Advisors has the expertise and experience to provide financial guidance to all of their clients, keeping in mind the specific challenges that they may face. For example, many people in Punta Gorda may be impacted by the local real estate market, which can be highly dependent on seasonal tourism. Ballast Advisors can help clients plan for this unique economic dynamic, and help them to make wise investment decisions that are tailored to their individual needs and goals. Additionally, the firm can assist clients in managing the ever-changing tax environment, as well as help them to take advantage of the many retirement and savings opportunities available to them.
Services Offered by Ballast Advisors, LLC
Core Advisor Services
Financial Planning
Financial planning services encompass the process of devising strategies for your future financial well-being, including preparing for events such as retirement, funding your child's college education, or planning for the transfer of assets.
Portfolio Management for Individuals & Small Businesses
Portfolio management entails the careful selection and strategic management of investment combinations tailored to meet the needs of individuals and small businesses.
Market Timing Services
Market timing services involve the endeavor to generate short-term profits from investments by capitalizing on opportunities to buy at low prices and sell at high prices.
Other Services
Selection of Other Advisors
The firm provides support in selecting and engaging other advisors who possess specialized expertise to complement your financial needs.
Publication of Periodicals or Newsletters
The firm engages in the dissemination of diverse financial educational materials through the publication of periodicals.
Educational Seminars & Workshops
The firm organizes and conducts seminars or workshops aimed at enlightening investors on various financial concepts.
Fee Structures
Financial advisory fees usually are based on the services provided. Fee types charged by Ballast Advisors, LLC most likely consist of the following fee types: asset-based, hourly or fixed. Wrap fee programs, or the practice of bundling services for a single fee, are not offered by the firm.
Available
Percentage of Assets Under Management (AUM)
This fee structure charges a percentage of the assets under management by the firm. Fee structures are often tiered based on the amount of assets managed, with higher AUM often charged a lower rate.
Between 0.50% and 2.00% of assets under management (annually), often lower for a robo advisor. Fees are typically charged quarterly by the firm and will show on your investment statement. View typical advisor costs here.
~96% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you have $1 million managed by a firm at a 1% management fee, you would be charged $10,000/year to manage your assets (or $2,500 per quarter). This would be automatically deducted from your investment portfolio.
Fixed Fees (Other than subscription)
Fixed fees are a one-time, lump-sum payment rendered for a specific service, such as creating a financial plan without ongoing management or implementation. This option is beneficial if you solely require guidance for a particular objective rather than a long-term consultancy or asset management.
Fixed fees for creating a financial plan often range from $1,000 to $3,000.
~49% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you did not want a firm to manage your assets but needed to create a retirement plan, life transition plan such as divorce or loss of a spouse, estate transition plan, business financial plan, or any other financial planning, you could consult with an RIA firm to help you with the creation of that plan.
Commissions
Occasionally, advisors are compensated through commissions by selling certain financial products, such as mutual funds or life insurance policies, or as a broker-dealer by facilitating the buying and selling of securities. Advisors who receive commissions may be incentivized to make specific suggestions to clients in order to secure a commission. Advisors who operate on a fee-only basis do not earn commissions, whereas fee-based advisors may do so.
Often 3% - 6% of the value of the security.
Only ~3% of registered firms say they offer this fee structure, but other advisors may receive “soft dollars”. Many mutual funds charge 12b-1 fees to cover the promoting and selling of the fund’s shares. While your advisor does not charge these fees, they may receive a kickback for recommending the investment.
An advisor selling their client on a life insurance policy and receiving a commission on the sale of that policy, or recommending a specific investment and receiving a kickback for that recommendation.
Unavailable
Hourly
Similar to an attorney, a financial consultant might charge fees based on hourly rates. This fee structure can be advantageous when seeking specific or ad hoc advice.
Charges generally span from $150 to $400 per hour, depending on the extent of the services required.
~33% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
If you needed hourly consulting to sell a business or transfer your estate to your children but did not want your assets managed by a firm, you could consult a firm at an hourly rate to answer any questions you may have.
Subscription (Newsletter or Periodical)
Performance-based Fees
Advisors typically obtain performance-based fees if a portfolio surpasses a predefined benchmark. This fee is determined through various methods, but is most commonly assessed as a percentage of investment gains. Performance-based fees may incentivize advisors to undertake riskier decisions in pursuit of generating higher returns.
“Two and Twenty” is common among hedge funds with a 2% management fee and a 20% incentive fee above the “hurdle rate,” or performance threshold the fund is compared against.
32% of registered firms offer this fee structure.
A hedge fund earns a 15% return with a 20% performance fee in above the performance of the S&P 500, which grew 7% that same year.
20% of fund growth in excess of S&P 500’s 7% growth for that year = 15% hedge fund growth - 7% S&P 500 growth = 8% difference x 20% = 2% performance fee (in addition to the management fee).
Other
Firms occasionally offer unconventional fee structures when charging clients. For more detailed information about a firm’s specific fee structures, please refer to their Form ADV and Part 2 Brochure.
Types of Clients
*The Securities & Exchange Commission defines someone as “high net worth” if they have $750,000 or more in investable assets or $1.5M of estimated total net worth.
This Office Location
- Mon 8 AM–4:30 PM
- Tue 8 AM–4:30 PM
- Wed 8 AM–4:30 PM
- Thu 8 AM–4:30 PM
- Fri 8 AM–4:30 PM
- Sat Closed
- Sun Closed
Other Office Locations
Firm Headquarters
This firm has no other locations.
State Registrations
Ballast Advisors, LLC is registered to service clients in the following states:
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
Disciplinary History
Ballast Advisors, LLC does not have any disclosures. Please visit it's Form ADV for more details.