Hi there,
If you’re reading this you have most likely had me do some mortgage finance for you in the past and as you know I’m very transparent and believe it’s important that you know and understand why I’m now doing a joint venture with Trilogy Funding.
For ease of reading I’ve broken this up into a series of questions and answers so you can scroll down to the ones that are of most interest to you.
Rolf Schaefer
Director RJA Financial Services Pty Ltd
1300 782 524
Why am I no longer trading as Metropole Finance?
Michael Yardney is a very close friend of mine, but Michael needs someone who can look after his new clients and I will not have the capacity to do this, as for the last 6 months I have been scaling back my business. Now that I’ve semi retired I’m going back to my old trading name of RJA Financial Services Pty Ltd and will keep looking after you and my existing Metropole Finance and RJA clients.
Why are you and Trilogy entering into a Joint Venture?
Since starting RJA Financial Services Pty Ltd in 2002, my focus has been on the continued long-term success of my clients and their investments. While I intended to be around a long while, I knew I needed to plan my succession at some time to ensure my clients’ can access specialised advice.
Preparing for my clients’ ongoing investment success meant finding a potential business partner that shared the same high professional values, goals and standards that I do. It was important they were a natural fit for my clients so this has been something I have carefully considered for a long time.
Two years actually…
The founder of Trilogy – Ed Nixon – is a longstanding friend, respected colleague and someone I hold in high regard. His values, ethics and passion for property mirror mine. We started our businesses at the same time and were even trained by the same mentor. Over the years we have also shared many annual holidays together and look forward to continuing to do so long into the future!
Like myself, Trilogy specialises in finding the right loans for property investors with an eye on long-term investment success. They are a great team who come with immense property investment experience.
So I think you will agree, it was a natural and logical decision to partner up and embark upon this joint venture with someone I know has the technical expertise my clients need, but just as importantly, someone I trust implicitly and holds their clients in the same high regard as I do.
You can meet the Trilogy team here.
Rolf, why do you think I should use Trilogy Funding for my future lending requirements?
To ensure a continuation of the work that I have already done for you I would love to see you entrust your future loan structuring to my new team.
This way we can be sure that your established loan structures are used to their full potential and we can continue to help you achieve your goals. Other brokers may not fully understand these structures and implement changes that might be counter-productive for you in the future.
I’m a current Metropole/ RJA Financial Services Pty Ltd client what do the changes mean for me?
In the short term, nothing will change.
I’ll continue to work with you. Trilogy will just be there to offer me a greater range of resources like their talented and experienced team and assist me in implementing the finance strategies for you.
Longer term, I plan to travel a bit and step back from full-time work. Like you, I have worked hard and invested well and it’s almost time to start ticking some things off my own bucket list.
When this happens, the team at Trilogy will be able to manage your current and future loans as they will be fully versed on your history, your goals and investment principles. Wherever I am, they’ll have my details should they need to contact me.
The joint venture with Trilogy is a great opportunity as it will allow me the chance to step back, travel a bit and yet still be involved in the investment property business that still excites me after all these years.
I look forward to this exciting phase knowing my clients will always be in the best hands.
What will you use Trilogy for?
I will use some of their team to help me implement your strategies, allowing me to remain your finance strategist.
Where are you going Rolf? Are you leaving?
As time rolls on I will need to spend more time away from the office, that’s why I’m teaming up with Trilogy, they’ll be able to look after you. I have no immediate plans yet, but will keep you posted.
Does Trilogy work with Metropole?
Trilogy has worked with Metropole like I have for the past 10 years, taking some of the overflow from their different offices from time to time. So Trilogy is very familiar with Michael Yardney’s methodologies and practices.
Can I still speak with you Rolf?
Of course you can, just call and you’ll be put through. 1300 782 524
What is your personal email Rolf?
My Metropole Finance email address is no longer working so I have gone back to my old one and also created a new one, you can use either one, they both come to me.
rolf@rjafinance.com.au
rolf.schaefer@Trilogyfunding.com.au
Who will hold all of my personal data?
All of your personal data will always be held by RJA Financial Services Pty Ltd, I will always ask for your written permission before anything is transferred to Trilogy.
Will you still be sending out newsletters?
Yes newsletters will be a little more frequent, now being sent on the first Tuesday of the month to coincide with the RBA interest rate announcement, the newsletters will be co-branded with Trilogy Funding.
Will your advice still remain free Rolf?
Yes nothing changes here.
Where is Trilogy’s office?
Trilogy Investment Property Funding are based in Canberra, so just as you have dealt with me by phone, they too can deal with you either by phone (Skype is also a great alternative), or see you in person.
Rolf I would like you to be paid if I deal with Trilogy direct, can this happen?
I put this question in because some people have mentioned it to me and thank you to those that did, yes I will receive a small fee directly from Trilogy. This fee is simply an arrangement from one business to another, you do not pay it, though for transparency Trilogy will fully disclose this to you when you do business with them direct.
How do I know that Trilogy is as good as you Rolf?
Both Ed and I run a forum for brokers only. This is where we problem solve scenarios and act as mentors for new brokers to the industry. So I get to see how Ed and his team problem solve and advise first hand. On top of this Ed and I and our wives holiday annually and we talk a lot of business. Both RJA Financial Services Pty Ltd and Trilogy are very similar in the clients we help and also the methodologies we use. I can assure you Ed’s team are very experienced in dealing with property investors and their financing needs.
Does Trilogy have access to the same lenders as you Rolf?
Yes. Trilogy uses the same bulking house and same lenders as I do.
If I’ve missed anything or you have any concerns, feel free to give me a call on 1300 782 524.
Warm regards,
Rolf Schaefer
Director RJA Financial Services Pty Ltd
1300 782 524