I began my mortgage career in 2021, but the path into this industry wasn’t something I originally planned. Like many meaningful journeys, it started with a simple conversation at a local boxing gym. I met a mortgage professional who introduced me to the business, and from that moment, something clicked. I quickly realized this wasn’t just about numbers or transactions, it was about helping people step into one of the most important milestones of their lives: homeownership.
I started in business development for a local lender, where I built a strong foundation in client relationships and market knowledge. From there, I earned my license and trained under a top-performing team, learning every aspect of the mortgage process. That experience shaped how I operate today, focused, proactive, and always putting my clients in the best possible position to succeed.
My motivation goes beyond closing loans. Having seen firsthand how the 2008 housing crisis affected my own family, I approach this business with a strong sense of responsibility. I believe in doing things the right way, with honesty, transparency, and clear communication. My goal is to make sure every client feels confident and fully informed throughout the process.
As a first-generation Mexican American, I learned the value of hard work early on, helping my mom deliver newspapers as a kid. Those lessons still guide how I show up today. I understand that the home-buying process can feel overwhelming, which is why I take an education-first approach, making sure you understand your options and feel confident in your decisions.
Outside of the mortgage world, I am a professional boxing coach and an active part of the Chicagoland boxing community. I train fighters, develop young talent, and coach at Gregory Boxing in Addison, Illinois. Boxing has taught me discipline, accountability, and how to perform under pressure, and I bring that same mindset into every client experience.
I’m fluent in English and Spanish, and conversational in Italian, which allows me to serve a diverse range of clients with clarity and confidence. I pride myself on being accessible, responsive, and someone my clients can rely on not just during the transaction, but long after closing. At the end of the day, my goal is to be more than just a lender. I aim to be a trusted advisor and long-term resource for my clients and partners. Whether you’re buying your first home, upgrading, or investing, I’m here to guide you every step of the way.
If you’re looking for someone who values honesty, communication, and truly has your best interest at heart, I’m here to help.
"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Manny on multiple transactions, and every single client we’ve worked with together has been extremely appreciative of his hard work and dedication. Manny goes above and beyond to help clients get their loans approved and ensures they feel confident and informed every step of the way. He is incredibly responsive, always makes himself available to answer questions, and takes the time to walk clients through the entire process from start to finish. Seeing how Manny treats and advocates for my clients has given me complete trust in him—to the point where I’ve confidently referred my own family to him as well. I truly appreciate Manny’s transparency, strong communication, and sense of urgency. He’s reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely cares about the people he works with. Highly recommend! "
— Sundas Malik
"Manny is awesome. I’ve had the pleasure of working with Manny on multiple transactions, and he consistently stands out for his passion, work ethic, and commitment as a loan officer. Manny is hands-on, proactive, and never afraid to roll up his sleeves to get a deal done. He regularly shows up to closings and is readily available to address any hiccups that arise at the closing table, which brings a tremendous amount of confidence and reassurance to both clients and professionals involved. Manny has an exceptional ability to explain technical loan information in a clear, easy-to-understand way, and his fluency in Spanish allows him to fully educate and advocate for Spanish-speaking clients. Manny is hungry, always learning, and consistently acts with his clients’ best interests in mind. As a real estate attorney, trust is critical, and Manny is someone I trust without hesitation to take care of our mutual clients and get the job done the right way. He is always highly recommended."
— Alfredo Tovar
"Can't say enough about Manny! What an incredible PROFESSIONAL but most importantly, an amazing genuine human being! He was so detailed on his explanation of the loan, detailed about the process and really showed care. He really made the process tailormade to the speed I needed the process to go. When you make such a big decision, going into the home buying process there could be a lot of questions and sometimes uncertainty. Manny really made me feel at ease with how diligent he worked and thorough he was at explaining the steps that I, as a first time homebuyer, did not understand. He made sure to check in with me regularly to make sure he knew how I was feeling with the process, if I had any question or concerns and also to explain the next steps. Everyone that I worked with in the homebuying process, Manny recommended and the team he put together was Amazing! I could not have asked for a better experience! I am glad I chose Manny as my Loan Officer and recommend him to anyone!"
— Diego Mendoza
(708) 577-9690 | manny.rodriguez@stonehavenmtg.com