Author: Manny Kagan

 Whom Do You Know That Might Benefit From Our Tailored Mortgage Solutions?

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  I heard a story about a man who bought a turtle.  His friend asked him “Why a turtle?” He said, “Well, I read that turtles live 200 years, and I want to check if it is true.”  I thought about this story during our recent company’s staff meeting.  Our guest represented a company that specializes in the restoration of credit and helps borrowers increase their credit scores.

 

 

During her presentation, she suggested that we should tell our potential clients that working with us, they are guaranteed our services for the next 30 years.  It is ironic because this September our company is celebrating 30 years in business.  When I started my career in the mortgage business in 1983, I was taught to say something similar – “Work with me, and I will be serving you for life.”  It was not clear for whose life – my clients or mine?  I was not totally comfortable with this statement, since I do not like to lie.  What if I stop doing mortgages before the end of life (mine or clients)?  I don’t know about you, but I am planning to be at your service for the next 30 years.  For me this decision is clear, I am 68 years young.  You need to stick around to check on me.  It is easy, there are a lot of people more than ever, who live longer lives.

 

On the subject of a longer life:To help you to stick around longer, you need to be financially comfortable. Recently I discovered how a Reverse Mortgage could help those who starting at the young age of 62, can be free of mortgage or rent payments for the rest of their lives.  Last week I helped a young couple (she is 73 and he is 81) to fulfill the American Dream and to buy their first home in America.  It was done utilizing the reverse mortgage purchase program. They are not going to have mortgage payments.  The property taxes and insurance will cost them about $450.00 per month. To explain the benefits and limitations of those programs (there are four different options), I am going to have an educational seminar in the evening of September 10th (Will keep you posted). Credit history is not critical for those loans.  But if your credit history needs improvements now, please call Alexandra (Alex) Erlich (303) 317-6969.  She works for the Continental Credit Company.  They might be able to help. 

 

 

P.S. After being in the business for over 30 years many of my clients reached the wisdom age, like the wise men I met in San Francisco.

My photo book “42 Encounters in San Francisco” is almost ready.  Will keep you informed.

 

Sutro Heights Park was once the estate of Adolf Sutro, the 24^th mayor of San Francisco.  He was the first German-American Jewish mayor, and served office from 1894 until 1896.  He was born in 1830 in Aachen, Prussia.  At the age of 20, Sutro, who was a trained engineer, arrived in San Francisco and made his name (and money) by drilling a tunnel through Mount Davidson in Nevada, which became known as the Sutro Tunnel at the Comstock Lode of silver ore, and became the first major discovery of silver in the United States in 1859.  He invested the money he made from silver by buying large tracks of lands in San Francisco, which he developed for the benefit of the public.

The idea to write about the beauty of the fog came while visiting Charlie and Hanka’s home, which I’ve written about in the last couple of weeks.  It was toward the evening, and I wanted to capture the sunset.  But when I came to the balcony, I could only see the fog rolling in.  It was quickly covering the vistas in front of me.  But here and there the light from the setting sun was eliminating the hills of the surrounding neighborhood.  It was like a reminder that it is not all grey.  Tomorrow the view will be visible again.  But not for everyone.  

In the early days of our residency in San Francisco, we used to go to flea markets, garage and estate sales.  This is where the “old” stuff often ends up–or in the garbage bin.  Some photo exhibits contain collages of personal photos of people who are not around recently, often found in those sales.  Who were all these and what did they leave behind?  I’m currently reading “The Family: A Journey into The Heart of the Twentieth Century” by David Laskin.  The story is about a family from 19^th century Russia; and one part immigrated to America, while another wing immigrated to Palestine in the early 20^th century, and some stayed behind in the former Soviet Union.  Every immigrant, who leaves his or her country, leaves most of their possessions behind.  And then, after settling down we start the accumulation process again.  Do we identify ourselves with what we possess? 

“This is my book, shelf, phone, TV, or anything else.  And what becomes with my stuff when we are gone?”