Mountain Vista Wealth Management

Guiding from Valley to Peak

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My Journey To Becoming A Financial Advisor:
Jonathan Heagle

By Jonathan Heagle, CFA®

Most financial advisors begin their career working at a broker-dealer, cold-calling leads, and pitching their products. To survive in the industry, let alone be successful, the ability to attract clients is the single most important characteristic of a young advisor. This is unfortunate, because expertise and the quality of client service are of secondary importance. As an outsider to the private wealth industry, I saw the various contradictions and conflicts of interest that are pervasive. I thought that there must be a better way. This ultimately led to the creation of Mountain Vista Wealth Management, where the focus is on competence and serving the clients’ needs first.

[Read more…] about My Journey To Becoming A Financial Advisor:
Jonathan Heagle

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Q1 2020 Investment Letter

INTRODUCTION

“Your success in investing will depend in part on your character and guts and in part on your ability to realize, at the height of ebullience and the depth of despair alike, that this too, shall pass.” – Jack Bogle

Before delving into the dramatic market moves that we have experienced over the last two months, we would first like to acknowledge the significant toll that the COVID-19 virus has inflicted upon our lives. At the time of this note, the United States’ death toll has just passed China and appears poised to increase dramatically in the coming weeks and months.

The most fortunate of us have only lost money and had our daily routines disrupted. For those that have lost their jobs, health or loved ones, we are truly sorry and urge you to reach out to us if there is any way that we can help you through this difficult period. [Read more…] about Q1 2020 Investment Letter

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Q4 2019 Investment Letter

INTRODUCTION

“Successful investing is about managing risk, not avoiding it.” – Benjamin Graham

A year ago, we were contemplating whether the economy was heading towards recession, driven by tit-for-tat tariff increases resulting from the U.S. and China’s trade negotiations. Many investors were questioning if the bull market that began in 2009 was over and if the 20% correction in the S&P 500 was the start of something much worse in 2019.

We now know that it was ultimately a buying opportunity and that the market was far too pessimistic about the economy. We also know that it is important to ride out downturns in the market and even increase our exposure to equities when the market goes “on sale”. After bottoming on Christmas Eve day, the SPY (S&P 500 ETF) went on to return almost 40% through the end of 2019. [Read more…] about Q4 2019 Investment Letter

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Deferring Gains on Investment Property

Owning real estate has long been an attractive means to accumulate wealth on a tax efficient basis. From the mortgage interest deduction to the exclusion of up to $500,000 in gains on the sale of a married couple’s primary home, real estate is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes time to file your taxes.  In this article we will be exploring a common tax deferral mechanism available to real estate investors. [Read more…] about Deferring Gains on Investment Property

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Q3 2019 Investment Letter

INTRODUCTION

“Markets are constantly in a state of uncertainty and flux and money is made by discounting the obvious and betting on the unexpected.” – George Soros

Everywhere we turn there are postulations and predictions of how we are heading into a recession and how the market is poised for a crash. While there are a number of unsettling developments in the areas of politics, the economy and demographics, it is important to remember that the market is forward looking and discounts what is expected. [Read more…] about Q3 2019 Investment Letter