A closer look at whether REITs, BDCs, structured products, or hedging strategies belong in your plan.
Every REIT, BDC, structured product, and hedging strategy we discuss goes through the same fact-find and suitability review as your traditional holdings, sized against your actual liquidity needs and risk tolerance before it ever touches your plan.
What alternative investments advising covers
These are the categories we evaluate for qualified clients whose traditional stocks and bonds don't cover everything they're trying to accomplish.
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Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
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Business Development Companies (BDCs)
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Structured Products
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Hedging Strategies
Why choose Piedmont Capital Advisors for alternative investments
Jacob Rice, CFP®, ChFC®, CLU®, RICP®, spent nearly ten years at one of the largest financial companies in the country, where wholesalers push a rotating list of proprietary, non-traded REITs and BDCs that pay the firm an upfront commission, often 5 to 7 percent, before the client sees a dime of return. He left to build a firm that isn’t tied to that kind of offering.
Our independence means we can compare a sponsor’s non-traded fund against a publicly traded alternative with the same underlying exposure and real daily pricing. On your advisory accounts, Jacob is also a fiduciary, which means he is legally bound to recommend one only when it actually fits your goals and your liquidity timeline.
How we evaluate whether alternatives fit your plan
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Fact-find
We ask about your goals, risk tolerance, investment experience, and how much liquidity you actually need, including money you can't afford to have locked up for years.
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Qualification and fit
We confirm you meet the investment's specific requirements and that your risk-capital allocation can absorb its illiquidity.
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The written recommendation
We put the fee load, the redemption or holding period, and the credit or market risk in writing, so you can weigh it before deciding anything.
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Implementation
We handle the subscription paperwork and account work to put the position in place.
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Ongoing review
We track redemption windows, call dates, and credit changes alongside the rest of your plan, since alternatives can behave differently as markets shift.
Who this is for
Here's who tends to start this conversation with us.
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Qualified investors with a solid foundation already built
A traditional stock and bond portfolio in place, and questions about whether a REIT, BDC, or structured note belongs alongside it.
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Executives and business owners with concentrated stock
RSUs, options, or founder's stock in one company, where a collar or protective put could reduce the downside without triggering a sale.
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Clients with real risk capital to put to work
Money set aside that could sit in a multi-year lockup, such as a non-traded REIT or BDC, without disrupting the rest of the plan.
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Existing alternative investment holders
A non-traded REIT, BDC, or structured note sold by a previous advisor, with no one who has explained the redemption terms or the fee load.
See where alternatives fit in your whole picture
Talk to us about your goals, your liquidity needs, and your risk tolerance together. The first conversation costs nothing.
Common questions
What does "fiduciary" mean here?
On your advisory accounts, it means Jacob has a legal duty to recommend an alternative investment only when it fits your goals and future plans.
What makes someone a "qualified investor?"
Requirements vary by investment, but many alternatives require accredited investor status: $200,000 in individual income ($300,000 with a spouse) for the past two years, or a net worth over $1 million excluding your primary residence. We confirm where you stand before making any recommendation.
Are alternative investments right for everyone?
No. They may not be suitable for all investors and should be considered only for the risk capital portion of your portfolio, since the strategies involved can accelerate the velocity of potential losses.
What if I already hold alternatives recommended elsewhere?
That's a common reason people call, especially with a non-traded REIT or BDC. We'll find the actual redemption terms and fee load in your paperwork and tell you plainly whether it still fits.
How long does it take to decide?
Usually one to three meetings to review your fit and present a written recommendation, then ongoing reviews alongside the rest of your plan.
Alternative investments may not be suitable for all investors and should be considered as an investment for the risk capital portion of the investor’s portfolio. The strategies employed in the management of alternative investments may accelerate the velocity of potential losses. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. No investment strategy assures a profit or protects against loss.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. The LPL Financial registered representatives associated with this site may only discuss and/or transact securities business with residents of the following states: NC, SC, VA, GA, AL, AZ, CA, FL, IL, KY, MD. This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific tax or legal advice. Please consult a qualified tax or legal professional regarding your individual situation.