KEEP DANCING

The title of my weekly post, “Fridays with Manny”, you are now reading, was inspired by the book Tuesdays with Morrie written by Mitch Albom. Later, I also came across another touching book, Morrie: In His Own Words, written by Morrie Schwartz himself.

Morrie was dying from ALS, often called Lou Gehrig’s disease, and in this little book he shared his feelings and experiences while going through this difficult process. When someone asked him, “If you had one day when you felt completely well again, what would you do?” his answer was simple: “I would go dancing with my wife.” Those words stayed with me.

Last Saturday night, my wife and I attended the wedding celebration of the daughter of our good friends. It was a joyful evening filled with music, laughter, and dancing. Two belly dancers performed incredible routines, even balancing swords on their heads. My wife later told me it was the best party she had ever attended because of the dancing.

I would like to share short poem from my recent book, 42 Encounters with Love:

KEEP DANCING.

Since my teenage years I have always loved to dance.
I still remember my first steps.
She was 12, I was 13,
And we danced — cheek to cheek.
I asked her for the next dance too, but she had chosen another boy.

Years passed.
Then, when I was 19, I met a new dance partner
With whom I fell in love.
And now, 55 years later, Elfa and I are still dancing —
Cheek to cheek…

***

Now, you can see why my wife enjoyed the party.

Three images are from that night’s event. Enjoy and share!

CAN AI REPLACE MORTGAGE BROKERS?

Saturday night at the wedding celebration of our close friends’ daughter, I had two interesting conversations about AI.

First, I spoke with an 82-year-old retired tax attorney who told me AI will replace many attorneys. A few minutes later, another guest in his early 60s shared that he had just been laid off from Disney along with thousands of others. He simply said: “AI.”

That made me ask myself: Can AI replace me as a mortgage broker?

I asked both ChatGPT and Claude. Their answer was similar — AI can replace people who only deal with numbers and quote rates, but it is much harder to replace professionals who solve problems, guide clients through difficult situations, and build trust.

In San Francisco, many real estate agents know me as a “problem solver.” Over the years I’ve handled challenging loans, including financing in the Millennium Tower, by understanding the business, communicating with lenders, and helping clients stay calm throughout the process.

Am I concerned about AI? Not really.

Technology will continue to change our industry, but experience, judgment, and relationships still matter. That’s why I plan to continue working until our company celebrates its 50th anniversary in about eight years.

Stay around and let’s continue this journey together.

Manny Kagan

REVERE YOUR MOTHER

Over 3,000 years ago, the Torah reminded us: “You shall revere your mother and your father”(Leviticus 19:3). Elsewhere, it says, “Honor your father and your mother.” Why the change in order?

The Torah understood human nature and the structure of society at the time. In a patriarchal world, where the father’s authority was often emphasized, it made a point to elevate the role of the mother—to ensure she receives the reverence she deserves.

There is one thing every person in the world has in common: we all have a mother. From the earliest times, a mother’s role has been unique and profound. She nurtures the home, raises the children, and gives of herself endlessly to her family.

This coming Sunday is Mother’s Day—a reminder to feel deep gratitude for our mothers. They not only brought us into this world but cared for us, shaped us, and gave us life in every sense of the word.

But honoring our mothers should not be limited to one day a year—with flowers, chocolates, or a dinner invitation. It should live in our hearts every day, no matter how busy life becomes.

I was blessed to have two mothers in my life. Until the age of 20, my own mother cared for me. Then, after I married, I lived with my wife’s mother for the next 20 years. She, too, became a mother to me—caring, giving, and loving. We were inseparable.

She passed away almost 40 years ago, and I still remember her with deep emotion. Even now, I sometimes wish I could pick up the phone and wish my both of mothers Happy Mother’s Day.

If you are fortunate enough to still have your mother with you—please honor her. Call her. Visit her. Tell her what she means to you.

I share this message with love—for all mothers, everywhere.

Enjoy these images of three mothers that I’m happy to share with you.

HOW TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

I recently spoke with a representative from one of our mortgage banks. He told me that before joining the bank, he had spent 17 years as a mortgage broker—just like us. When I asked why he left the business, his answer surprised me: he said he couldn’t stand working with real estate agents.

I’ve heard this sentiment before, but I see it very differently.

I value working with real estate agents. First, they are an important source of referrals. More importantly, I see them as partners. We share the same goal—helping our clients achieve their dreams.

Good agents work incredibly hard. They find the right property, guide the client through the process, and stay committed all the way to closing. Of course, not everyone operates at that level. And yes, agents can be anxious about timelines—but that’s understandable. There’s a lot at stake.

From my perspective, success in this business comes down to communication and relationships.

I prefer real conversations—face-to-face or voice-to-voice. Recently, someone ,who works for the major bank, told me their bank only communicates in writing—emails. That may be efficient, but it’s not how you build trust.

Relationships are built through human connection.

When you take the time to understand people, when you find common ground, when you genuinely care—you create something stronger than just a transaction.

Every deal I’m working on right now requires problem-solving, patience, and collaboration. You can’t do that effectively without strong relationships—with clients and with real estate agents. That personal touch still matters. In fact, it matters more than ever.

To learn more about my most recent mortgage transactions, click this link to watch my weekly YouTube video. 

If you ever want to talk, ask a question, or just connect, just give me a call at (415) 225-7920.

Manny Kagan,

President,
Pacific Bay Financial Corporation
Your professional mortgage broker since 1983

GRANDCHILDREN

I got married at 20, and my wife was 21. Soon after, our first daughter was born. Several years later, our second daughter was born in Israel. When we later came to the United States, we considered having another child, but financially it was not very practical. Life has its seasons, and eventually we began looking forward to the possibility of grandchildren.

Fortunately, we are blessed with one granddaughter. She lives with her parents in Portland, Oregon, and this week, for the first time, she came with her mother to visit us in San Francisco. She is five and three-quarters years young, and spending time with her brought a special feeling that is difficult to describe.

During the three days she stayed with us, I even managed to work from home while enjoying her presence. We took her to some of our favorite places — Golden Gate Park, the ocean, and Cinderella Bakery & Cafe. Every outing became a memory. At home, she drew pictures, played, and simply enjoyed being together with us. Sometimes the greatest joy comes not from grand adventures, but from quiet moments shared.

Some grandparents are fortunate to live close to their children and grandchildren, giving them more opportunities to spend time together. In some families, grandparents even play an active role in helping raise their grandchildren. For others, visits are less frequent, making each moment even more precious.

I count my blessings. In September, when she turns six, we will travel to Portland to celebrate with her. Until then, these joyful days remain in my memory — a reminder of how precious family truly is.

Count your blessings, and thank your children for giving you such a beautiful gift.

The three images that accompany this story are from our granddaughter’s visit.

Enjoy and share it with the friends.

ASK ME, BUT LISTEN TO YOUR HEART

We all face moments when we need to make a decision. And in those moments, advice is everywhere. Friends, family, professionals—everyone is willing to offer their opinion. Most of it comes from a good place. People genuinely want to help. But here’s the truth: No one is living your life but you.

In my experience, people process decisions differently. Many men rely on logic—numbers, facts, analysis. Many women are more in tune with something deeper—a feeling, an instinct, a quiet inner knowing. Both approaches have value. But sometimes, the most important voice gets lost in the noise. Your own.

I recently spoke with a potential client. His father had passed away, and he, along with his sisters, inherited a house. He wanted to keep it—partly for emotional reasons, partly as a future place to retire. But to do that, he needed a mortgage to buy out his sisters. Financially, it wasn’t a simple decision. So, I asked him, “What does your wife think?” He wasn’t sure.

Then I gave him a different kind of advice—something I often use myself. Step away from the noise. Go somewhere quiet. A park. A lake. A place where your mind can slow down. And then ask yourself the question. Not your head—your heart.

At first, it may feel like nothing is happening. But if you give it space, an answer often comes. It might sound like a thought… but it feels different. Clear. Calm. Certain. That’s the voice we tend to ignore. So yes—ask people. Learn. Gather information. But in the end, listen carefully to the one voice that truly knows what’s right for you.

Three images illustrating this story are of the nature where your heart might find an answer.

If you ever want my perspective, I’m always here. But even then, I’ll remind you of the same thing: Make sure your final decision comes from within…

LOW INTEREST RATE?

Today I received a call from a client whose loan I refinanced about a year ago. The question was simple: “Is it time to refinance again?”

I’ve been hearing the same thing from many people—that interest rates are already in the 5% range. I wish that were true. As I told my client, from your mouth to the decision-makers’ ears—but we’re not there yet.

That said, I have a sense—not a guarantee, not a prediction—that we may see some improvement as we move into May. Why May? I can’t point to a specific reason. Sometimes experience and intuition just guide you.

Right now, rates are still fluctuating, generally in the 6% range depending on several factors:

• Loan amount
• Credit score
• Type of property
• Overall financial profile

Despite that, activity remains strong. This month alone, I’m on track to close 12 loans. People are still buying, refinancing, and moving forward—because the opportunities are still there.

Would it be great to see rates in the 5s? Absolutely. And when that happens, we’ll all be very busy.

My simple advice: If you want rates to come down—for yourself, your family, or your clients—put that intention out there. Ask for what you want. As the saying goes: Ask, and it shall be given to you.

And if you have questions about your specific situation, I’m always here to help.

Manny Kagan,
President,
Pacific Bay Financial Corporation
Your professional mortgage broker since 1983

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 

Birthdays… we celebrate them with family, friends, a cake, and candles. But in reality, a birthday is also a reminder—that we are moving forward in age. Some call it getting older. And yes… it reminds us that there may be less years ahead than behind.

But a birthday is never a sad moment—especially when it’s someone you love. Today, Friday the 17th… is my wife’s birthday. We’ve been married for over 58 years. I was 20 when we got married. And since then, … every single day has been a celebration.

We worked together. We lived together. We built a life—together. Yes, we will go to our favorite restaurant. Yes, there will be a gift. But the real gift… is the love we carried through the years.

This year, I wanted to give her something special… something from my heart. So, I created a book. It’s called “This Is a Wonderful Life.” It’s my gift to her. And maybe… if she allows me… I will share it with you as well.

So—happy birthday, my love. And thank you… for being part of my life. And to all of you—thank you for celebrating her birthday with me.

Three images that you can see here are from the book I’ve created as a gift.

Enjoy and share…

42 PETALS OF WISDOM

I’m excited to share that my new book, 42 Petals of Wisdom, is now available on Amazon.

This book wasn’t something I originally planned to create. It began when my daughter organized an exhibit of my black-and-white flower photography—images that carry a unique depth and quiet beauty. Initially, I thought of putting together a small catalog to accompany the exhibit.

But as I started selecting the photos, something unexpected happened—I couldn’t stop. I found myself deeply moved by the images. Yes, they are my work, but they revealed a beauty that felt beyond me.

That’s when the idea for this book was born.

Inspired by meaningful comments and reflections shared with me over time, I paired these images with words of wisdom, someone coined it “Mannyisms “ And just like that, the title came naturally: 42 Petals of Wisdom.

There’s something special about holding beauty in your hands. It creates a feeling that’s hard to describe—but easy to recognize when you experience it.

That’s exactly what I hope this book will give you.

If you already have my books, I invite you to add this one to your collection. And if this is your first, I promise—you’ll truly enjoy the journey. And if it speaks to you… share it with a friend.

Three images you can see above are from the book.

Enjoy!