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mrf6969
05-15-2025, 11:21 AM
Has anyone found a great LOCAL stockbroker person that they have had nice results with over the recent years?

retiredguy123
05-15-2025, 11:36 AM
If you just want to buy and sell stocks, use Fidelity. If you want an advisor to pick stocks for you, I can't recommend anyone.

manaboutown
05-15-2025, 12:09 PM
Wish I had an answer for the OP but every stockbroker I ever used anywhere was a peddler looking for the largest commission he could land. I have always managed my own investments but at age 83 would like to find a capable fee-only advisor to take over when I can no longer handle them myself.

Best of luck to the OP in finding a good stockbroker nearby!

HappyTraveler
05-15-2025, 01:56 PM
..... but at age 83 would like to find a capable fee-only advisor to take over when I can no longer handle them myself.


Worth having a conversation with them.

Fidelity Investments - Retirement Plans, Investing, Brokerage, Wealth Management, Financial Planning and Advice, Online Trading. (https://www.fidelity.com/)managed-accounts/wealth-first-overview?s_tnt=177179%3A0%3A0&adobe_mc_sdid=SDID%3D7967CB346D36BF24-41B25DB9DA987DBF%7CMCORGID%3DEDCF01AC512D2B770A490 D4C%40AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1747335144&adobe_mc_ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fidelity.com%2Fmana ged-accounts%2Fwealth-first-overview%3Fs_tnt%3D177179%25253A0%25253A0

manaboutown
05-15-2025, 04:03 PM
Worth having a conversation with them.

Fidelity Investments - Retirement Plans, Investing, Brokerage, Wealth Management, Financial Planning and Advice, Online Trading. (https://www.fidelity.com/)managed-accounts/wealth-first-overview?s_tnt=177179%3A0%3A0&adobe_mc_sdid=SDID%3D7967CB346D36BF24-41B25DB9DA987DBF%7CMCORGID%3DEDCF01AC512D2B770A490 D4C%40AdobeOrg%7CTS%3D1747335144&adobe_mc_ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fidelity.com%2Fmana ged-accounts%2Fwealth-first-overview%3Fs_tnt%3D177179%25253A0%25253A0

If I understand what I read on their website Fidelity has AUM fees running 0.2 to 1.5% on managed accounts. Also they farm out tax and estate planning. More $$$. On top of that in the past I have had issues with Fidelity so that outfit is a no-go for me. Right now I use Schwab, Vanguard and Ameriprise. The only reason I still use Ameriprise is it holds some ancient accounts which would be a hassle to switch over and I rarely trade. Schwab and Ameriprise assigned my accounts advisors who I never use so I pay no AUM fees which show up on my statements although I am certain the advisors are compensated by their employers in some fashion. The Schwab guy is worse than worthless as when I signed on he directed me to sign the wrong forms. He is not smart. The Ameriprise guy is smart enough but he is 72 years old himself. I inherited him when my original Ameriprise guy left to start a boutique firm, wanted a 1% AUM fee and told me they would trade with eTrade, I think it was, now part of Schwab, I believe. He is a smart guy but he refused to act as a fiduciary so...

CoachKandSportsguy
05-15-2025, 04:25 PM
Has anyone found a great LOCAL stockbroker person that they have had nice results with over the recent years?

you are showing your age. . there aren't any stock brokers anymore.
they have all been replaced by computers.

What you are looking for is a money manager, which you can buy on line, or at expensive wealth management companies. The key is your level of portfolio / trading instrument sophistication, your level of participation, and your risk levels.

I personally used different ones over the years. Lately, the ML portfolio manager was out of the Cayman Islands / UK, and now I am using an AI/ML one from Switzerland and an experienced portfolio manager from Greece. The ML ones were too economic focused, and not enough of a blend of actual price movement. .

So what's your level of investment sophistication, and your expectations of hands on execution of buys or sells?

Stu from NYC
05-15-2025, 05:56 PM
you are showing your age. . there aren't any stock brokers anymore.
they have all been replaced by computers.

What you are looking for is a money manager, which you can buy on line, or at expensive wealth management companies. The key is your level of portfolio / trading instrument sophistication, your level of participation, and your risk levels.

I personally used different ones over the years. Lately, the ML portfolio manager was out of the Cayman Islands / UK, and now I am using an AI/ML one from Switzerland and an experienced portfolio manager from Greece. The ML ones were too economic focused, and not enough of a blend of actual price movement. .

So what's your level of investment sophistication, and your expectations of hands on execution of buys or sells?

This is why we invest via a number of no load funds that have had a good track record with reasonable expenses

jimhoward
05-15-2025, 08:50 PM
The short and direct answer to the OPs question is no.

Beyond that the question and post is scary on many levels.

rsmurano
05-16-2025, 04:46 AM
Most brokers will try to sell you stuff they make the most money on or they are so conservative you won’t make any money. 1-1.5% is very high for their annual fee, plus if they get you into funds, you will have to pay more fees.
Learn to do it yourself. Why would you trust some stranger with your money is beyond me. Your business model for your portfolio is to make the most money in my investments. Your brokers business model is to make the most money off of you. Most people who use brokers think they are doing good in the market without ever checking to see how they are actually doing.

LoisR
05-16-2025, 04:52 AM
Go to Vanguard. Cheapest rates of all others. Easy to use web site. Excellent tech assistance if needed.

retiredguy123
05-16-2025, 05:05 AM
Go to Vanguard. Cheapest rates of all others. Easy to use web site. Excellent tech assistance if needed.
Vanguard and Fidelity are both good companies. But Fidelity has an office at Lake Sumter in The Villages.

MikePgh
05-16-2025, 06:35 AM
As has already been stated a broker is going to sell you things. Things that pay him a commission. That is how he makes a living. The more you buy and sell the more he makes.

If you are doing your own research h and making your own decisions use Schwab or Fidelity.

If you want someone to make the decisions for you and manage your portfolio then you want a fee only advisor. A Registered Investment Advisor has a duty to put your interests first. It’s called a fiduciary obligation.

And do not buy Fisher Investments BS line that they are clearly different. EVERY Registered Investment Advisor has the same duties and obligations.

retiredguy123
05-16-2025, 06:46 AM
As has already been stated a broker is going to sell you things. Things that pay him a commission. That is how he makes a living. The more you buy and sell the more he makes.

If you are doing your own research h and making your own decisions use Schwab or Fidelity.

If you want someone to make the decisions for you and manage your portfolio then you want a fee only advisor. A Registered Investment Advisor has a duty to put your interests first. It’s called a fiduciary obligation.

And do not buy Fisher Investments BS line that they are clearly different. EVERY Registered Investment Advisor has the same duties and obligations.
In my opinion, regardless of the legal fiduciary requirements, it is always a good idea to ask your financial advisor for a signed letter that clearly states that they will be acting as a fiduciary when providing advice.

Grill Meister
05-16-2025, 06:52 AM
I personally don't feel the need for a "local" stockbroker---unless you want to sit down with him/her to discuss finances. But Ken Wingerter, located in Naples, FL. is one of the very best stockbroker/financial consultants you can hook up with. Ken has my portfolion show continued growth throughout a lot of turmoil. He, first, will determine your investment temperment, i.e. high risk, medium risk, protected growth and go from there. He maintains contact with his clients and they are more than satisfied with Ken's competency. Give him a call:

KEN WINGERTER, VP INVESTMENTS, MORGAN STANLEY WEALTH MANAGEMENT
8889 PELICAN BAY BLVD., STE. 300 , NAPLES, FL, 34108
Phone: (239) 449-7830
Ken.Wingerter@morganstanley.com
(239) 449-7830

PugMom
05-16-2025, 07:07 AM
If you just want to buy and sell stocks, use Fidelity. If you want an advisor to pick stocks for you, I can't recommend anyone.

dittos, stay with fidelity

hollyrich2
05-16-2025, 07:21 AM
Contact Lance Larkin from Schwab in Sumter Landing. He’s terrific! I don’t have number handy sorry.

hollyrich2
05-16-2025, 07:27 AM
In my opinion, regardless of the legal fiduciary requirements, it is always a good idea to ask your financial advisor for a signed letter that clearly states that they will be acting as a fiduciary when providing advice.

A lot of opinions here but until you reach out for yourself, you won’t know. We used Lance Larkin from Schwab here. He did not try to sell us anything, he did not push hard for anything. He referred us to their partner Frank Aguela who was just as good and nice. The fee is 1% and of course you sign an agreement and they are a fiduciary. It’s worth reaching out. We were in high risk and they were able to keep us in lower risk and still have growth.

JRcorvette
05-16-2025, 08:41 AM
Has anyone found a great LOCAL stockbroker person that they have had nice results with over the recent years?

I can’t recommend a person but as for an investment group here in the Villages I would recommend Parady Investments. They only charge 1/2 % unlike others who charge up to 2%.
I am not sure if they are taking on new clients but it would be worth a call and sit down with them.

CoachKandSportsguy
05-16-2025, 09:12 AM
If you want someone to make the decisions for you and manage your portfolio then you want a fee only advisor. A Registered Investment Advisor has a duty to put your interests first. It’s called a fiduciary obligation.


The fee charged should be disclosed, and when and how it is taken out of the principal.
Be wary of small independent regional firms where annuities are their biggest product.
Annuities can/may be part of an overall portfolio, but should not be the entire portfolio nor the largest part of the portfolio.

Right now, government short term TIPS are an excellent buy
For bonds, remember that bonds are very favorable when there is a large real yield
Real yield is the interest rate minus the latest annual (year over year) inflation rate.
If the real yield is 4%, example 6% bond yield with a 2% inflation rate, you are making a very good return on the interest rate and bond investment.

good luck to us!

jjombrello
05-16-2025, 09:48 AM
Cebert Wealth Management is excellent. We have had great results and returns with them. They are on 466 near Buena Vista intersection.

CoachKandSportsguy
05-16-2025, 12:51 PM
Cebert Wealth Management is excellent. We have had great results and returns with them. They are on 466 near Buena Vista intersection.

please describe how you evaluated the returns are great results. . .
and then describe the level of risk your investments took. . .

many thanks

coralway
05-16-2025, 02:23 PM
Open a Fidelity Cash Management Account.

HJBeck
05-16-2025, 03:33 PM
We have always managed our own because we feel comfortable doing so. Based on the numerous fraud cases we have seen, we are reluctant to turn over our finances to anyone unless we are no longer competent. That being said, when we get to that point we will most likely let Vanguard do it for us. The have a remarkable reputation. Might consider Fidelity as well. Always a tough decision, but be careful, lots of crooks out there.

Brenda Hager
05-16-2025, 03:38 PM
Has anyone found a great LOCAL stockbroker person that they have had nice results with over the recent years?

I’ve used Jonathan Davis (352/234-6677) with One Day Wealth Management. Very pleased with John. He is a fiduciary and fee only (no commission). Worth a call to him to see if he will be a good fit for your needs. Good luck!

MisterZ
05-21-2025, 06:57 PM
Has anyone found a great LOCAL stockbroker person that they have had nice results with over the recent years?

He's not local, but I've had great success with John Butterfield. A third generation father and son investment company. Jack V. Butterfield Investment Company | Financial Advisors (https://jvbco.com/) Tell him Jim Z in The Villages referred you.