The Good News with Manny

HOW TO FINANCE
AN APARTMENT BUILDING (5+ UNITS)

Up until now, I’ve been sharing insights on financing 1–4-unit properties and condos. But when it comes to apartment buildings (5 units or more), the rules change—these loans fall under the domain of commercial banks.

Unlike residential loans, commercial loans are based on the rental income a building produces. Every bank uses its own formulas and has unique borrower/property requirements.

One lender we work closely with is East West Bank. Thanks to our special partnership, if they can’t fund a deal, they refer it to us—and we get it closed with another bank.

At a recent in-office presentation, Bonnie Huynh and Otto Tank introduced a unique program:

✔️ Fixed interest rate for 18 months

✔️ If market rates drop, the bank will adjust and lower your rate

✔️ Other important details include prepayment penalties and the 10% deposit rule (e.g., $1M loan = $100K deposit requirement)

Good news: We also work with lenders who don’t require that deposit.

For more insights, watch a 4-minute piece of the Easte West Bank presentation recorded recently at our Daly City office.

Have questions? Call me anytime: (415) 225-7920

Let’s find the right loan for your building! I promise to help!

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

NMLS #205637
DRE #00874630

 

Fridays with Manny

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WHERE DOES WISDOM COME FROM?

Some people say I’m a wise person. But what does that really mean—and where does wisdom come from?

A quick online search defines wisdom as “the ability to make sound judgments based on knowledge, experience, and understanding.” Socrates believed that wisdom begins with recognizing one’s own ignorance.

Jesus taught that wisdom is revealed through actions and deeds, not merely knowledge. In a spiritual sense, wisdom is often viewed as a divine gift—a deeper insight into life, purpose, and the sacred. That definition deeply resonates with how I experience the world and my connection to people around me. Perhaps this inner alignment is what inspired me to create my latest book, Reflections. The Healing Images™. It weaves together three essential elements: Wisdom, Beauty, and Relaxation.

For me, wisdom originates from the source—God’s message as recorded in the Torah (the Old Testament or the Hebrew Bible). The Torah is divided into fifty-four weekly portions, and each portion is further split into seven daily readings. For the past forty years, I’ve read from the Torah daily. Years ago, I even taught Torah in a Jewish high school. While I don’t claim to be an expert, I feel deeply connected to this source of timeless wisdom.

In Reflections, I’ve taken the liberty of writing a single-sentence reflection inspired by each weekly Torah portion. The second part of the book is devoted to beauty—expressed through the natural elegance of roses. The third part is about relaxation: learning to disconnect from the constant noise of our modern lives and make space for healing.

My intention in creating this book is to bring these three elements—wisdom, beauty, and relaxation—together in one place for your benefit, and for those you love and care about.

You can order the book on Amazon and begin writing your own reflections. The three images “woven” into this story are from the book I wrote.

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The Good News with Manny

NIGHTLY INTENTIONS AND
HEALING REFLECTIONS

Every night before bed, I start my meditation by stating an intention. When I began this practice two weeks ago, my focus was simple: reduce the redness under my lip. My first affirmation was: “Why do I have this redness? Thank you, it can go.”

Then I remembered an important lesson—affirmations should be framed in positive terms, focused on the desired result. So, I shifted my intention to: “My face is clean. Thank you.”

And yes… it’s working. The redness is fading, and I know it will be gone soon. That small success encouraged me to add a new affirmation: “One million people experience less stress with the help of my book Reflections. The Healing Images™.” Because I truly created this book for you—I’m simply one of its many beneficiaries.

Whatever your intention may be, one of the greatest gifts of this practice is better sleep. And we all know how healing a restful night can be. You can watch the video where I share more about the process.

Sweet dreams and self-care, always!

Care and Share!

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Fridays with Manny

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STOP AND SMELL THE ROSES…

I recently learned that this phrase means: “Take time to slow down and appreciate the beauty of life.”

Every time I go on walks with our labradoodle Max, he knows I’ll stop now and then to admire and photograph flowers. Last Sunday was no different. On our way to the local park in Saint Francis Wood, I paused to take a photo of a white rose bush.

Just then, two young women power-walked past us. I called out and asked if they’d noticed the stunning roses they had just passed. Sweaty but curious, they paused. I showed them the delicate inner part of the flower and explained how its petals fall away to reveal seeds, ready to create new life. They smiled, thanked me, and continued up the hill.

Later that day, Max led us to the Rose Garden in Golden Gate Park. The colors, the scent, the variety—it was magical. Like a bee, I drifted from bloom to bloom. The fragrance of roses isn’t just lovely—it’s made up of more than 300 natural compounds that draw in pollinators. And we, humans, benefit from that beauty… but only if we take the time to notice.

And if, for any reason, you can’t get out to smell real roses, you’ll find peace and beauty in my new book “Reflections. The Healing Images™.”

It features 56 stunning roses—each one unique, all of them soothing. The book is designed to help you relax, reflect, and reconnect.

Available now on Amazon.

Above here are three of my photos capturing people who found time to truly stop and smell the roses.

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The Good News with Manny

CLOSE YOUR EYES, COUNT TO TEN…
AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS

Over the past few weeks, I’ve shared quite a bit of good news about mortgages—hoping the information might be helpful to you, your clients, or friends.

But there’s more good news to share! As you may know, my new book “Reflections. The Healing Images™” is finally out—and it’s already receiving some fascinating reviews.

When I received my own copy, I decided to dive in and use it myself. I’ve even recorded a short video describing my personal experience with it — feel free to check it out by clicking this link.

If you’re interested, you can order the book here. And then let me know what you think!

Care and share,

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Fridays with Manny

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Ask, Seek, Knock — And Know What to Ask

In the Bible, one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus is: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).

This powerful message speaks to the importance of intention and initiative in shaping our lives. Yet, a well-known joke provides a humorous twist on this teaching: a man prays fervently to God to win the lottery. After many desperate pleas, a voice finally calls down from Heaven, “Buy a lottery ticket.” The point is clear—desire alone is not enough. Action must follow.

Interestingly, despite dreams of wealth, many lottery winners eventually find themselves in bankruptcy. This raises a pressing question: what goes wrong? The answer may be simpler than we think. Many people simply do not know how to manage money, nor do they know the right questions to ask. It’s human nature to complain, to ask for more, to turn to a higher power for solutions—but without clarity, even the most generous answers can be lost.

After publishing my book Reflections: The Healing Images™, I received feedback from a reader who experienced its intended effect—a calming, meditative state:

“Reflections” is more than just a book—it’s a sanctuary within pages. As a devoted reader and a clinical psychologist, I found an almost meditative escape in its words. No matter where I opened the book, closed my eyes, and counted to ten, the prose never failed to wrap me in a deep sense of relaxation and tranquility.

It’s as if the author understood the very essence of peace and distilled it into every passage. This is a book I will wholeheartedly recommend to others—not just for its wisdom, but for the calm it brings to the soul.”

The book was designed as a visual tool to help people quickly access deeper mental clarity and reduce anxiety, stress, or even physical discomfort like headaches. But there’s another layer to this process. What if, before entering meditation, you asked the universe the right question? Something as simple as “Why do I worry?” can open the door to surprising insight. When you ask the right question, you may discover that the worry dissipates—perhaps because it was never necessary in the first place.

“Ask, and it will be given to you.” But first—you have to buy the book.

Pictured here are three beautiful roses featured in “Reflections“. Someone once asked how I created the 3D effect in these images. The secret lies in the interplay of light and shadow—a gentle reminder that depth and beauty often emerge from contrast.

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The Good News with Manny

ALTERNATIVE MORTGAGE OPTION:
ASSETS QUALIFIER

I find it remarkable how lenders continually discover new ways to offer mortgage solutions.

Click the link to watch an informative presentation by Wendy Flynn on the “Assets Qualifier” program, developed by Newrez Mortgage.

Notably, mortgage loans under this program can close in as little as two weeks — impressive!

Thinking about getting an asset-based loan? Let’s talk.

Cell: (415) 225-7920, or email: mannykagan@comcast.net

I promise to help!

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

NMLS #205637
DRE #00874630

 

Fridays with Manny

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How to Meditate
(and Why You Should)

Before we explore how to meditate, it’s important to ask why. One simple answer that I found online says it best:

“Meditation offers numerous benefits, including stress reduction, improved focus, enhanced well-being, and increased self-awareness.”

In today’s world, those benefits are more valuable than ever.

You can easily find guided meditations on YouTube or various apps—but most require time and consistency. And while results do come with regular practice, not everyone has the patience (or quiet space) to sit still for 20 minutes a day.

That’s why I created a different kind of solution.

Introducing “Reflections: The Healing Images™”

My new book is a fusion of ancient wisdom, natural beauty, and my own personal reflections. It’s designed to help you reach a meditative state quickly—sometimes instantly—just by looking at a page.

No headphones. No timers. No scripts. Just you, the image, and a moment of stillness.

Whether it’s early morning or the middle of a restless night, Reflections can guide you inward. Used regularly, it can help reduce stress, ease anxiety, improve sleep, and restore a sense of balance.

The University of California even outlines 10 specific health benefits of meditation—and this book is one beautiful way to experience them.

Start Your Practice

You don’t need to follow a specific method—just open the book, take in the imagery, and let your mind settle. Like any good habit, it gets easier with time.

Buy the book today—I truly believe it will serve you well. And when you start feeling the results, I’d love to hear from you. Share your experience, and tell your friends too.

Meanwhile, I’m posting three images from the book to get you started.

Care and share.

With love,

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The Good News with Manny

HOW TO GROW YOUR WEALTH BEFORE RETIREMENT

A real estate agent recently introduced me to a client who owns a rental condo in California. He was looking to pull out some equity to invest in a two-unit rental propertya strategic move to grow his assets before retirement.

The Numbers:

  • Condo Value: $720,000
  • Mortgage Balance: $185,000 @ 2.5% interest
  • Total Monthly Costs (incl. taxes/HOA): $3,400
  • Monthly Rent: $3,750
  • Equity Available: Substantial

He wanted to pull out $350,000 for a down payment on a $1.3M duplex. Initially, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) was an option, but with investment property rates around 9%, that meant $2,625/month in interest alone—too costly.

So, we explored a cash-out refinance:

  • New Loan: $540,000 @ 7.25%
  • New Monthly Payment: ~$3,683
  • Annual Negative Cash Flow: ~$20,000 — which could provide valuable tax deductions (pending CPA advice).

The Result:

The client now has the capital to buy a two-unit income property, expected to appreciate to $2M in 10 years (assuming 4% annual appreciation), while his condo grows to ~$1M. Both mortgages will be partially paid down or refinanced when rates drop.

Estimated Retirement Asset Value:

~$3M in real estate with reduced mortgage debt = $1.5M+ in net wealth

✅ If he had kept only the condo, his gain would’ve been much lower—limited appreciation, no tax strategy, and less rental income.

The Takeaway:

With smart refinancing and strategic acquisitions, you can significantly increase your assets by the time you retire—even in today’s market.

Thinking about your own retirement plan? Let’s talk.

(415) 225-7920, or email: mannykagan@comcast.net

Best wishes,

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

NMLS #205637
DRE #00874630

Fridays with Manny

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HOW TO GIVE BIRTH TO A BOOK

Unless one has experienced it firsthand, it’s hard to truly grasp what it means to give birth. And yet, for me, the moment I hold a newly published book in my hands, I imagine it must feel something like that—a culmination of labor, love, and the miracle of creation.

My latest work, Reflections: The Healing Images™, is my tenth “child.” Just as every human child is unique, so is each of my books. They are deeply personal expressions of who I am—each one born of inspiration, nurtured through effort, and now released into the world. All of them are available on Amazon, placed there with the hope that they will find their way to those who need them.

But Reflections is unlike any of the books that came before it. It is not merely a collection of images or words. It is a tapestry of ancient wisdom—drawn from traditions that span over three thousand years—interwoven with my personal reflections and the delicate, powerful beauty of roses. These healing images are more than visual art. They are spiritual companions—designed to draw you into a meditative state that invites calm, clarity, and transformation.

The potential benefits are real: fewer headaches, reduced anxiety, deeper sleep, and an overall sense of peace. But for the healing process to begin, there must be an exchange—an offering of energy in return. In this case, that energy comes in the form of money, a symbolic investment in your own well-being.

So, I invite you: Buy this book and let it serve you for years to come, as both a source of beauty and a pathway to healing.

And while you consider that journey, enjoy these three rose images from Reflections. May they bring you a moment of quiet grace.

Care and share!

With love and light,

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