Rich Arzaga is a dedicated advocate for investors who own directly held real estate investments, an asset class often overlooked by financial advisors. With a focus on comprehensive financial planning, Rich also provides valuable guidance on various real estate matters, including real estate cash flow modeling, buy-sell-hold decisions, 1031 exchanges, tax-advantaged strategies, inherited properties, and other challenges investors may face.
As the Founder and CEO of The Real Estate Whisperer Financial Planning and Education, an advice-only firm, Rich brings a wealth of expertise to the table. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM), and a Registered Investment Advisor. Finding a dually credentialed professional like Rich, with both CFP® and CCIM designations, is exceptionally rare in the financial planning landscape. His clientele includes real estate investors of varying experience levels, business owners, and affluent families.
Rich's reputation extends beyond his role as a financial advisor. He is an honored instructor and adjunct professor in the UC Berkeley Personal Financial Planning program and the UC Santa Cruz Silicon Valley Extension. Additionally, he has been featured twice at the esteemed Commonwealth Club of San Francisco and has earned a place among Worth Magazine's Top 250 Wealth Advisors in the Nation. Rich's real estate strategies have been showcased in prominent publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Time, Investor's Business Daily, The Journal of Financial Planning, The Journal of Accountancy, Real Estate Business, REALTOR® Magazine Kiplinger Retirement Newsletter, and other business and finance magazines.
Academically, Rich holds an impressive background. He graduated with distinction from the Personal Financial Planning Program at UC Berkeley, complementing his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Jose State University. Furthermore, he pursued Graduate Studies in Management at Northwestern University J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management, solidifying his knowledge and expertise in the field.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rich treasures his enduring relationship with his undergraduate sweetheart, as they have shared a blissful marriage for over three decades. Together, they have raised two daughters and enjoy the companionship of their beloved flat-coated retriever – a “very good dog.”.
