Whether it’s your home, a rental property, or the building where your dental practice operates, these assets have a real impact on your long-term financial plan. For dentists who also own their practice, real estate can be both a strategic advantage and a hidden liability. That’s why we focus on your full financial picture - not just what’s in your investment accounts.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how real estate plays into your plan:
But first -
Hello! I'm Sharon.
I'm a financial planner for dentists. I help dentists retire in Kansas City, Kansas and across the country. Whether you have questions about how to retire from your dental practice or are in the beginning stages of building your wealth, please set up a time to talk.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how real estate plays into your plan:
Dental Office
This is a big one and one of the most overlooked areas of planning for dentists. Whether you lease the building to your practice or own it through your business entity, your office is both a business and personal investment.
We help you evaluate lease terms to ensure they’re structured appropriately (and defensibly) from a tax and liability standpoint. We also look at how the property is titled, how depreciation is being handled, and how the building fits into your overall net worth.
Planning for an eventual transition or sale is critical. Will the next owner of your practice also buy the building, or will you retain it as a rental asset? How will rent be determined? Are there potential tax consequences in how and when you sell? These are questions we help you think through long before you're ready to step away.
Property Taxes
Every property you own - whether it’s your home, your dental office, or an investment - adds to your annual tax bill. For your primary residence, that’s a personal expense we track against your cash flow.
But if it’s a rental or commercial property (like your office), there are potential deductions you can claim. We’ll help you determine whether those taxes are being correctly captured on your return, and whether your entity structure supports the most tax-efficient outcome.
This isn’t just about saving a few dollars—it’s about ensuring your tax planning keeps pace with your growing asset base.
Estate Plan
Real estate can complicate or strengthen your estate. Who legally owns each property matters: is it titled in your name, jointly with a spouse, or held in a trust or business entity? These choices affect probate, taxes, asset protection, and your ability to pass wealth efficiently to heirs.
We work with you (and often your estate attorney) to ensure your real estate is titled appropriately, aligns with your overall estate plan, and provides protection for your family or chosen beneficiaries. For practice owners, this is especially important when the dental office is a key asset in the transition plan.
Mortgage/Financing
Mortgages are often your largest recurring monthly expense, and they deserve regular review. We look at your current loan terms, assess whether refinancing makes sense based on rates or goals, and evaluate how your payments impact overall cash flow.
For practice owners, it's also important to separate personal from business debt. Should your office mortgage be held by your business or by you? What are the implications for tax treatment or liability?
We help you make sure your mortgage isn’t quietly eating into your flexibility or creating unnecessary risk.
Insurance
Real estate brings risk, and insurance is your first line of defense. But policies change, premiums rise, and in some areas, coverage is being dropped altogether.
One dentist we work with in the Midwest saw their commercial policy canceled mid-year due to an aging roof and outdated wiring. With no warning, they had to scramble to replace coverage at double the previous cost.
We review property and liability insurance periodically to ensure you’re protected - not just from natural disasters, but from rising replacement costs, tenant-related risks, or even business interruption. The right planning can keep a frustrating surprise from becoming a financial crisis.
And one more thing -
Thank you for reading our blog about how real estate impacts your retirement plan. I am a financial planner for dentists, helping dentists retire in Kansas City and across the country.
If you'd like to talk about retiring as a dentist, getting a financial plan for your dental practice, or selling a dental practice, contact us to set up a time to talk.
Disclaimer
IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE
In compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS pursuant to IRS Circular 230, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice above is for informational purposes not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.