Retirement Planning & Financial Advisor in Dana Point, CA
Sentient Financial, LLC is a California-registered investment adviser based in neighboring Laguna Niguel, serving Dana Point, including the Capistrano Beach (Capo Beach) area. Patrick Thompson, AWMA®, helps households near or in retirement coordinate income, taxes, Medicare, and investments. Every strategy involves trade-offs, which are described in Form ADV Part 2A.
Information on this page reflects information as of October 2026 and is educational only.
Retirement planning in Dana Point
Dana Point is a coastal city in South Orange County and a neighbor of Laguna Niguel, where our office is located. Households here, including those in the Capistrano Beach area, may reach retirement with a home that has become a large part of their net worth. A good plan looks at that home alongside your accounts, income, and taxes.
Dana Point at a glance
- Estimated population: 32,232 (July 1, 2025)
- Residents age 65 or older: 22.3% (United States: 18.9%)
- Owner-occupied housing unit rate: 62.4%
- Median value of owner-occupied homes: $1,320,300
- Median household income: $141,520
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Dana Point city. Population is the July 1, 2025 estimate; other figures are 2020-2024 estimates. These figures describe the whole city. They are not statements about Sentient Financial's clients or about your own situation.
When your home is a large part of your retirement picture
The Census Bureau reports a median owner-occupied home value of $1,320,300 in Dana Point. For many homeowners the house may be one of the largest assets in a retirement plan, which raises a practical question: keep it, sell it, or move to something smaller?
Selling a longtime home can carry tax consequences. Under federal rules, a homeowner may exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 on a joint return in most cases, if the ownership and use tests are met (IRS Topic 701). Gain above the limit is taxable, and a large sale could raise the income used for Medicare premiums two years later. Selling, renting, or staying each involves trade-offs, including transaction costs and housing costs.
20 minutes. No pressure. Just a conversation.
How Sentient Financial helps
Sentient Financial brings retirement income planning, tax planning, and investment management together in one plan, using The Sentient System™. Each service involves trade-offs and costs, and investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Read how we work and the current IRMAA brackets.
Nearby communities we serve
We also serve Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo.
Office location
Sentient Financial, LLC
28202 Cabot Road, Suite 300
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Phone: 949.305.5836
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Frequently asked questions
A home sale may create a taxable gain. Federal rules let many owners exclude up to $250,000 of gain, or $500,000 on a joint return, if they meet ownership and use tests. Gain above that amount raises income, which could affect taxes and Medicare premiums two years later. Individual results vary.
Yes. Patrick Thompson works with households across Dana Point, including the Capistrano Beach area, and other South Orange County cities. The office is in neighboring Laguna Niguel, and meetings may be held there in person or by video. Virtual meetings add convenience, but they can replace in-person visits.
Many people start five to ten years before retirement, while choices about savings, Roth conversions, and Social Security timing still have room to change. Starting earlier may create more options, but it does not guarantee a better outcome. A 20-minute Fit Call can help you see where you stand.
A Roth conversion adds taxable income in the year it happens. Medicare IRMAA surcharges use income from two years earlier, so a conversion could raise Part B and Part D premiums later. Spreading conversions over several years may soften that effect, though it may also change your tax bracket.
Ongoing clients pay an annual asset-based advisory fee that declines in tiers, as described in Form ADV Part 2A. Planning-only clients pay a one-time project fee, estimated in advance at $300 per hour and billed in 15-minute increments, with no asset minimum. Each fee model has trade-offs, so compare both.
A no-pressure conversation to see whether working together makes sense.
Sentient Financial, LLC is a California-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. This page is for educational purposes only and is not individualized investment, tax, or legal advice. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and no strategy guarantees a profit or protects against loss. Review Form ADV Part 2A for services, fees, and conflicts, and see our disclosures.
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