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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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!

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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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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

 

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.

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With love,

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 property—a 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

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.

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With love and light,

BUYING AND RENOVATING YOUR DREAM HOME: A SMART FINANCING OPTION

Are you dreaming of owning a home that’s perfect for you, but needs a little TLC? You might be surprised to learn that there are specialized loan programs that can make your dream a reality. Unlike fix-and-flip programs, which are designed for investors looking to turn a profit, these programs are tailored for homeowners who want to buy and renovate a property to live in.

Imagine finding your perfect home for $800,000, but it needs some work. With a traditional loan, you might struggle to secure financing for the purchase price plus the cost of renovations. But with these special programs, lenders use the property’s value after renovations are complete to calculate the loan amount. So, if you spend $100,000 on improvements, the lender will consider the property’s new value to be $900,000.

With just 5% equity required after renovations, you could secure a loan of up to $855,000 (95% LTV). That’s a significant amount of financing available to help you create your dream home. We recently learned about this program from Scott Johnson of Towne Mortgage, who shared its benefits with Pacific Bay Financial team during our recent conference call. Whether you’re looking to update a fixer-upper or add some personality to a new build, this financing option could be the key to making your homeownership dreams a reality.

Who do you know that could benefit from that?  Send this information their way or call me: (415) 225-7920, or email to: mannykagan@comcast.net

Best wishes of good luck,

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

NMLS #205637
DRE #00874630

THE MOST COMMON LANGUAGE IN THE WORLD IS… NOT WHAT YOU THINK

“What’s the most common language in the world?” It’s a question that seems simple – until you actually try to answer it. Most people I ask instinctively say English, and that makes sense. On our recent cruise through Europe, my wife and I found ourselves surrounded by passengers from all over the globe. Despite the different accents and backgrounds, English was the thread that tied us all together – it was everyone’s second language, and yet somehow, the one that connected us.

But statistically speaking, Mandarin Chinese holds the top spot in terms of native speakers. English comes in third, even though it dominates in global communication, business, and travel. And then there’s a lesser-known contender: Esperanto – the world’s most widely spoken constructed international language. It was designed to bring people together, regardless of nationality. Around two million people speak Esperanto today.

I learned Esperanto as a teenager in Riga, Latvia, where I grew up. Back then, it felt like a secret code shared by dreamers who believed in unity. I remember just two phrases: “Homo kio esperas Esperanto estas Esperantisto.” (“A person who speaks Esperanto is an Esperantist.”) And my favorite: “Mi amas vi.” Any guesses? It means: “I love you.”

But here’s the twist: when it comes to the most commonly communicated language in the world, I’d argue it’s none of the above. It’s Love. It crosses borders, cultures, and dialects. It’s the glance between two people in Lisbon, the hand held tightly in Berlin, the kiss stolen on a bridge in Paris. During our travels, I had the joy of photographing three couples, each in a different country, each speaking the universal language – without saying a word.

If you’re looking for a little more love in your life, check out my new book “Reflections” – a collection of stories, moments, and yes, a few kisses. It’s available now at online stores. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, I’ll happily refund your money – and you can still keep the book or pass it along to someone you love.

MI AMAS VI!

I LOVE YOU!

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THERE’S GOOD NEWS!
You can now qualify for a mortgage based on your 1099 income only.

In 2023, nearly 2.2 million Californians — 11.5% of the workforce — reported being primarily self-employed. (Nationwide, it’s around 10%.) That’s a massive group of entrepreneurs, freelancers, and contractors — including real estate agents, consultants, creatives, and gig workers — who often face one major hurdle: qualifying for a mortgage. Why? Because traditional lenders rely on tax returns, which can be tricky for self-employed with lots of write-offs.

BUT THERE’S GOOD NEWS!

At a recent staff meeting at Pacific Bay Financial, Blanche Esteban of Clear Edge Lending shared an innovative solution from NON-QM lenders: 1099-Only Mortgage Qualification. That’s right — you can now qualify based only on your 1099 income, not your full tax return.

Click on this link to watch a six-minute video piece of Blanche’s presentation posted on my YouTube channel. Indeed, this is a big opportunity for contractors and others who aren’t traditional W-2 employees.

Who do you know that could benefit from that?

Send this information their way or call me: (415) 225-7920, or email to: mannykagan@comcast.net

Best wishes of good luck,

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

NMLS #205637
DRE #00874630