Asset Allocation Scottsdale: Strategic Investment Management for High-Net-Worth Clients

We Serve people in Scottsdale, AZ, Brookfield & Johnson Creek Wisconsin

Smart Asset Allocation Strategies

Building wealth in Arizona’s dynamic economy requires more than just picking good investments—it demands a strategic approach to asset allocation that evolves with both market conditions and your family’s changing needs.

At Family Wealth Advisors, we’ve helped Scottsdale families navigate everything from tech IPOs to real estate booms, always with one goal: protecting and growing your wealth through disciplined, evidence-based investment strategies.

What sets us apart isn’t just our deep understanding of Scottsdale’s unique investment landscape—from seasonal residents managing multiple properties to business owners planning exits.

It’s our commitment to truly personalized asset allocation that reflects your individual goals, not some cookie-cutter model.

We combine institutional-quality investment access with the personal attention you’d expect from a local Arizona firm.

Whether you’re a successful entrepreneur looking to diversify beyond your business, a retiree wanting to preserve wealth while generating income, or someone navigating a major life transition, our approach adapts to your situation.

Let’s explore how strategic asset allocation can work for your family’s unique circumstances.

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Why Scottsdale Families Choose Our Asset Allocation Approach

After two decades serving Arizona’s high-net-worth families, we’ve learned that successful asset allocation isn’t about following the latest investment trend—it’s about understanding what truly matters to you and building a portfolio that supports those priorities.

We Actually Listen to Your Concerns

Too many advisors jump straight into talking about asset classes and allocation percentages.

We start by understanding your real concerns.

Are you worried about having enough income in retirement? Concerned about market volatility affecting your business sale timeline?

Want to ensure your children inherit more than just money?

Once we understand what keeps you up at night (and what excites you about the future), we can build an allocation strategy that addresses those specific concerns.

This isn’t just about risk tolerance questionnaires—it’s about having honest conversations about your hopes and fears.

Local Market Expertise That Actually Matters

Living and working in Scottsdale gives us insights you won’t get from a Wall Street firm.

We understand how Arizona’s tax advantages affect your allocation decisions.

We know how seasonal residency patterns impact cash flow needs.

We’ve helped clients navigate everything from Scottsdale real estate cycles to the unique challenges of Arizona business succession planning.

This local knowledge shapes our recommendations.

For instance, we might suggest different municipal bond strategies for full-time Arizona residents versus snowbirds who split time between states.

Access to Institutional-Quality Investments

Our clients gain access to investment opportunities typically available only to pension funds and endowments.

This includes private real estate funds, hedge fund strategies, and structured products that can enhance returns while reducing overall portfolio risk.

But access means nothing without proper integration.

We carefully evaluate how these investments fit within your overall allocation, ensuring they genuinely improve your risk-adjusted returns rather than just adding complexity.

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How We Build Your Personalized Asset Allocation

Every family’s situation is different, which is why we’ve developed a comprehensive process that considers not just your current financial picture, but where you want to be in 5, 10, and 20 years.

Discovery: Understanding Your Complete Financial Picture

We start by mapping out everything that affects your financial life.

This includes obvious elements like income and expenses, but also less tangible factors like your business ownership timeline, family dynamics, and personal values around money.

For many Scottsdale families, this includes considerations like:

How long do you plan to maintain your Arizona residency?
Are there family members you’re supporting?
What role does your business play in your overall wealth strategy?
Do you have charitable goals that should influence your allocation?

Risk Assessment Beyond the Questionnaire

While risk tolerance questionnaires have their place, we dig deeper.

We discuss how you’ve handled market volatility in the past, what your experience was during major market downturns, and how your comfort with risk has evolved as your wealth has grown.

We also consider your risk capacity—not just your emotional comfort with volatility, but your actual ability to weather market storms based on your cash flow, time horizon, and other assets.

Strategic Allocation Design

Based on our discovery work, we design an allocation strategy that balances growth potential with your need for stability.

This typically includes:

Opportunistic Positions: Selective investments in undervalued markets or unique opportunities

Core Holdings: Diversified equity and fixed income positions that provide steady growth and income

Growth Components: Investments positioned to benefit from economic expansion and inflation

Defensive Elements: Assets that can provide stability during market stress

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Ongoing Management That Adapts to Your Life

Asset allocation isn’t a “set it and forget it” strategy. Markets change, your life evolves, and your portfolio needs to adapt accordingly.

Here’s how we ensure your allocation stays on track.

Systematic Rebalancing (Without the Emotion)

One of the biggest challenges investors face is knowing when to rebalance.

Wait too long, and your portfolio drifts away from your target allocation.

Rebalance too frequently, and you rack up unnecessary costs and taxes.

We use a disciplined approach that considers both percentage drift from targets and calendar-based reviews.

This means we’re making allocation adjustments based on objective criteria rather than market emotions or headlines.

Tax-Smart Implementation

Living in Arizona provides certain tax advantages, but smart asset allocation considers the tax implications of every decision.

We implement strategies like:

Placing tax-inefficient investments in retirement accounts when possible
Using municipal bonds strategically for high-income Arizona residents
Harvesting losses to offset gains while maintaining your target allocation
Considering the timing of rebalancing to minimize tax impact

Life Event Adjustments

Major life changes often require allocation adjustments.

Sold your business? We’ll help you diversify that windfall appropriately.

Approaching retirement? We’ll gradually shift toward more income-focused investments.

Received an inheritance? We’ll integrate those assets thoughtfully into your existing strategy.

The key is making these adjustments gradually and purposefully rather than making dramatic changes based on short-term emotions.

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Real Results for Real Families

While we can’t share specific client names due to privacy requirements, we can share some examples of how strategic asset allocation has helped Scottsdale families achieve their goals.

The Business Owner’s Dilemma

A successful entrepreneur came to us with 80% of his net worth tied up in his business.

He knew he needed to diversify but wasn’t sure how to do it without triggering massive tax consequences or losing control of his company.

We developed a gradual diversification strategy that used tax-advantaged accounts, charitable giving, and strategic asset sales to build a well-diversified portfolio over several years.

Today, his business accounts for less than 40% of his total wealth, providing him with both financial security and peace of mind.

The Pre-Retiree’s Peace of Mind

A couple five years from retirement was nervous about market volatility affecting their plans.

They had accumulated substantial wealth but were concerned about the timing of their retirement relative to market cycles.

We restructured their allocation to include a “bucket” strategy—keeping several years of expenses in stable investments while maintaining growth exposure for their longer-term needs.

This approach allowed them to retire on schedule, regardless of short-term market volatility.

The Multi-Generational Family’s Challenge

A family wanted to balance their own retirement security with leaving a meaningful legacy for their children and grandchildren.

They were concerned about estate taxes and wanted to ensure their giving strategy aligned with their investment approach.

We developed an allocation strategy that included charitable remainder trusts, family limited partnerships, and tax-efficient investment vehicles.

This approach provided them with current income, reduced their estate tax exposure, and created a lasting legacy for future generations.

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Common Questions About Asset Allocation

How often should I rebalance my portfolio?

There’s no magic number, but we typically recommend reviewing your allocation quarterly and rebalancing when any asset class drifts more than 5% from its target or annually, whichever comes first. However, we always consider tax implications and transaction costs before making changes.

Should my allocation change as I get older?

The old rule of “100 minus your age in stocks” is outdated. Your allocation should reflect your specific situation—your risk capacity, time horizon, and goals. A healthy 70-year-old with substantial assets might maintain more growth exposure than a 50-year-old planning early retirement.

How do you factor in my real estate holdings?

Real estate is often a significant component of Scottsdale families’ wealth. We consider both your personal residence and any investment properties when designing your allocation, ensuring your total wealth is appropriately diversified across asset classes.

What about international investments?

International diversification can provide both growth opportunities and risk reduction benefits. We typically recommend exposure to developed international markets and may include emerging markets depending on your risk tolerance and time horizon.

How do you handle market volatility?

Market volatility is inevitable, but your allocation should be designed to help you weather these storms. We focus on maintaining appropriate diversification and having realistic expectations about short-term volatility versus long-term returns.

Can you help with 401(k) and other employer plan allocations?

Absolutely. We consider all your investment accounts when designing your overall allocation strategy. This includes helping you optimize your 401(k) selections and coordinating them with your other investments for maximum efficiency.

Ready to Build a Smarter Asset Allocation Strategy?

If you’re ready to move beyond generic investment advice and develop an asset allocation strategy tailored to your family’s unique situation, we’d like to help. Our approach combines institutional-quality investment access with the personal attention you deserve.

During our initial conversation, we’ll discuss your current situation, explore your goals, and outline how strategic asset allocation can help you achieve them. There’s no cost for this initial consultation, and no obligation to move forward.

Call us at (480) 969-5667 or schedule your consultation online. Let’s build an investment strategy that works for your family’s future.

Family Wealth Advisors serves successful families throughout the Scottsdale area from our office at 6900 East Camelback Road, Suite A39. We also work with clients in Brookfield and Johnson Creek, Wisconsin.

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