A Short Year-End Planning Guide for Small Business Owners in Southeast Wisconsin
By John Anderson Realtor®, John Anderson Realty In Partnership with Lannon Stone Realty
As the leaves fall and our year-end season approaches, many small business owners across Southeast Wisconsin face both reflection and opportunity. The fourth quarter year end isn’t only about closing the books — it’s about positioning better for next year’s successes. Whether you have a small retail shop in West Allis, a new business in Waukesha, or investment properties across Milwaukee County, Q4 is the time to step back and strategically evaluate your financial footing.
The 3 Do’s of Q4 Planning
1. Do Revisit Your Financing Before the Year End Rush
Interest rates and credit conditions can adjust and change quickly, especially in an uncertain economy. In the final months of your fiscal year, banks often evaluate portfolios and renew credit lines.
Tip: Review your business line of credit now — before banks close their books for the year. If you need adjustments, you’ll have more negotiating room in Q4 than during Q1 of 2026.
Local perspective: Wisconsin-based lenders often reassess community business loans in Q4, and proactive borrowers signal reliability.
2. Do Evaluate Your Real Estate Holdings
From office space to investment properties, this is the perfect time to assess whether your real estate strategy aligns with your business goals.
Ask yourself:
- Are you maximizing the space you own or lease?
- Could relocation, downsizing, or purchase make more financial sense?
- Have property values or local tax assessments changed in Milwaukee, Waukesha, or Racine County?
Real estate tip: Winter months may bring motivated sellers with less active buyers — a potential advantage for investors ready to buy or sell.
3. Do Review Investments and Cash Flow
Even small business owners are investors — whether that’s in equipment, property, or people. Year-end is ideal for analyzing return on investment (ROI) and balancing liquidity with long-term assets.
Ask: Are your dollars working hardest where they’re needed most?
Bonus: Work with a trusted advisor to plan for capital expenditures in early 2026, when certain tax benefits or accelerated depreciation rules might apply.
The 3 DON’Ts of Q4 Planning
1. Don’t Wait Until Tax Season to Review Your Financials
By January, you will be reacting. In Q4, you can still plan. Use this time to project your income, estimate your taxes, and make smart year-end purchases that will reduce taxable income.
Pro Insight: Too many owners hand their CPA a “finished” year in March. Instead, work with them now to control and make it more for your tax advantage.
2. Don’t Ignore Regional Trends
Southeast Wisconsin has unique economic rhythms — from manufacturing shifts to housing trends tied to the Milwaukee metro corridor. Ignoring local factors (like property reassessments, infrastructure developments, or regional employment patterns) can mean missed opportunities.
Example: The I-94 expansion and Milwaukee’s evolving downtown corridor are already influencing nearby property values and leasing demand.
3. Don’t Overlook Personal and Business Alignment
You are your business’s most valuable asset. As you plan financially, think holistically — including retirement goals, estate planning, and personal real estate. Aligning business growth with personal stability creates lasting success.
Consider This: It’s not just about numbers; it’s about balance — something I’ve seen firsthand through many years in banking, consulting, and now professionally helping my clients navigate real estate transitions with confidence.
Summary
Q4 isn’t just your finish line — it’s a turning point. Taking time to reassess your financing, investments, and real estate now sets the stage for sustainable growth in the new year. It’s not just smart planning — it’s good stewardship.
John Anderson has over three decades of experience in commercial, mortgage, and personal banking. Now a proud Realtor® with Lannon Stone Realty, John combines his deep financial insight with a passion for helping people buy or sell their homes with confidence. His brand, John Anderson Realty, represents his commitment to clarity, trust, and personal service—guiding clients through each step of the real estate process with professionalism and care.
You are invited to attend his Milwaukee Breakfast Club meetups.
John Anderson Realty | Lannon Stone Realty
JohnAnderson.Realty@outlook.
262-327-0766
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