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Heritage Financial Website: https://www.heritagefinancialaz.com/

Today, Shanna Tingom of Heritage Financial is joined by Hayden Gerwien of Howard Capital Management, a firm that Heritage works with closely for its clients.

Howard Capital Management is a third party money manager, and Hayden gives us a bit of background on the company. Then explains their patented HCM-BuyLine® investment process.   This is a computer algorithm that allow for a more tactical and defensive strategy to manage your money.  And this will recommend when to buy and when to sell.

Hayden walks us through how this algorithm worked during the COVID-19 volatility we saw last year, taking the emotion out of investing.  And Shanna explains how they've become a partner to help manage the portfolios of her clients at Heritage Financial.

For more information about how Howard Capital Management and Heritage Financial work together, and you can contact Shanna at https://www.heritagefinancialaz.com/

This is the second of a two part series with estate attorney Heather Parker of the Parker Law Office.  Today, we take a deeper dive into the differences between wills and trusts.

Trusts can provide for:

How your bills will be paid if you are hospitalized

• A financial power of attorney
• A trustee to manage your assets
• Avoiding costly probate court costs
• And more...

There are also different types of trusts, including pet trusts, and IRA trusts.  The latter can be especially important in wake of the SECURE Act and recent changes to the stretch IRA rules. 

Most importantly, you should have a team working together for your estate planning.  This can include a financial advisor, accountant, attorney, and more.

Resources:

The Parker Law Office: https://www.parkerlawaz.com/

Heather Parker's Office Number: 480-264-5177

Heritage Financial Strategies: https://heritagefinancialaz.com/

Heritage Financial Strategies now has a new office space - but you won't have to reprogram your GPS.  We've just moved downstairs.  We are now on the first floor of our building on South Gilbert Road.

The move was a several-months long process, and Shanna Tingom and the team realized it's similar to finding a financial advisor. They needed to find the right fit for their needs.  They then worked with a general contractor to find the labor, parts, and tools that were uniquely suited to what they wanted to accomplish - just like a financial advisor will help you find the best fit for your needs.

Another thing the Heritage team learned - if a vendor seems like a bad fit - trust your gut.  Shanna explains.

This is the first of a two-part series on estate planning.  Attorney Heather Parker joins Shanna Tingom to talk about the two areas of estate planning - money and medical.

Medical:

1. HIPAA Release - who can be given information about your condition?
2. Medical Power Of Attorney - who can make medical decisions for you?
3. End of Life Documents - what are your final wishes in terms of treatment?

Heather explains that not having these documents in place can have dire consequences, and she gives some real world examples.  These conversations can be difficult to have, but they are vitally important.  She also explains how to give the right people access to these documents.

On the money side, Heather breaks down the differences between a will and a trust. People often have misperceptions about what a will accomplishes.   For many situations, a trust is required.  And it's not as hard to set up as you might think.   And a trust can provide for many circumstances that a will cannot.  We'll explore this in more detail in part 2.

Resources:

The Parker Law Office: https://www.parkerlawaz.com/

Heather Parker's Office Number: 480-264-5177

Heritage Financial Strategies: https://heritagefinancialaz.com/

In the second of our two part series with CPA Aaron Blau, we look at potential legislation under the Biden administration and what that could mean for you, your money, and your taxes.

We start with a look back at the SECURE Act - how it raised the age for required minimum distributions and eliminated the so-called "Stretch IRA."

Shanna asks Aaron what a potential "SECURE Act 2.0" could mean for RMDs and stretch IRAs going forward.   We also look at potential changes to 529 Education Savings Plans, the so-called "step up in basis," and capital gains tax rates.

For more information:

Find Aaron Blau at The Blau Company: https://blauco.com/

Find Shanna Tingom at Heritage Financial Strategies: https://www.heritagefinancialaz.com/

In the first of a two part series, Shanna Tingom is joined by CPA Aaron Blau to talk about recent tax changes and how they can affect your bottom line.

First, Shanna and Aaron cover the rules around retirement distributions during 2020 - what you could take out, under what terms you have to pay it back, and how it will affect your taxes.

We also cover economic impact payments (EIP's) for personal, and the economic injury disaster loans (EIDL's) for businesses.  While grant money is gone, loan money is still available under the right circumstances.   Next, Aaron explains the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and all of its various implications.

Congress actually changed a number of rules around these different programs, often times in your favor, with potentially more to come.  This episode is definitely worth a listen.

For more information:

Find Aaron Blau at The Blau Company: https://blauco.com/

Find Shanna Tingom at Heritage Financial Strategies: https://www.heritagefinancialaz.com/

Today, Karen Camblin from Guild Mortgage rejoins Shanna Tingom for part 2 of their conversation about the real estate market.

In this episode, we are looking at the effects of the pandemic on the mortgage process.  Most notably, it has become much more difficult for small business owners to qualify for mortgages. Because so many businesses failed during COVID-19, many banks are now requiring Profit and Loss (P&L) statements from business before approving mortgages.

We also explore the world of "Jumbo," loans above $548,250.  With the explosion of the real estate market, these types of loans have become much more relevant.  There are strategies around having to apply for these loans, with their even more stringent requirements.  We explore those.

Karen also explains that Guild services their own mortgages, and why that can be advantageous to borrowers.

Finally, we discuss why it's important for your lender, CPA, financial advisor, and more to act cohesively as a team.

More:

Karen at Guild Mortgage: https://branches.guildmortgage.com/az/gilbert/karen-camblin-424-evkc.html

Call Karen at 480-390-1732

Email Karen at [email protected]

Heritage Financial Strategies Website: https://www.heritagefinancialaz.com/

Call Shanna at: 480-397-1184

Email Shanna at [email protected]

In the first of a two-part series, Karen Camblin from Guild Mortgage joins Shanna today to talk about the wild real estate market we've seen in recent months.

Karen explains the dangers of qualifying for the highest loan you can, and why she takes a more practical approach.  It's not about what you can approved for - it's about what you can pay every month.

We then walk through credit checks, pre-approvals, and the entire process you undergo as a buyer.  This includes explaining why you should NOT make major purchases during this time.

Finally, Karen explains some of the unique services and products that Guild Mortgage offers to its clients.

More:

Karen at Guild Mortgage: https://branches.guildmortgage.com/az/gilbert/karen-camblin-424-evkc.html

Call Karen at 480-390-1732

Email Karen at [email protected]

Heritage Financial Strategies Website: https://www.heritagefinancialaz.com/

Call Shanna at: 480-397-1184

Email Shanna at [email protected]

In part 2 of our series, Shanna Tingom is joined again by real estate agent Jean Pomeroy.  In our last episode, we examined the current real estate market.  Today, we look at strategies that you can employ as a buyer to get the home you want.

You need to have a strategy, and that includes having a good real estate agent.  That agent must also be a good negotiator!  Jean shares some examples.

Normally, Jean gives the advice of "you don't get what you don't ask for."  But because we are in such a seller's market, many of the items buyers would traditionally ask for will take them out of contention immediately.

Jean talks about the standard process she uses when putting a house on the market, and the different approaches she uses when putting in an offer.  Often, relationships with other agents are key.

What about a personal letter?  Jean explains why the wording of such letters is extremely important.

We also cover topics such as appraisal waivers, clean offers, contingencies, and more.

More info:

Jean Pomeroy, Realty One Group

Phone: 602-741-3897

Website: https://azrealtymatch.com/

Email: [email protected]

Shanna Tingom, Heritage Financial Strategies

Phone: (480) 397-1184

Website: https://www.heritagefinancialaz.com/

Email: [email protected]