Shay Realtors BLOG
There are many cool aspects of owning a Real Estate Company in San Diego. Helping people relocate from other areas of the world to San Diego is one of our favorites. Another plus is watching ocean view sunsets from spectacular view homes. I also enjoy seeing good architecture as well as watching things as they are built.
Interest in building and how things are put together is probably more of a, "guy thing". As an example, if Theresa and I drive by a highway crew about to pour a portion of freeway, or yellow tractors are moving huge amounts of dirt, I joke how I would like to just get an ice chest of cold beer and a beach chair so I could sit and watch. Before I get complaints, I am sure there are some awesome female architects and many of you have an interest in construction as well.
I have a particular
weakness for homes with disappearing walls. The glass doors that slide into the
walls providing a sweeping view of the backyard, and at times a view of the
Pacific Ocean. We recently helped some good friends find an incredible Santaluz
home that was just under 9000 square feet. In today's real estate scene, for
awhile anyway, you can purchase an estate home for far less then it would cost
to build it. This particular home has it all, pool, ocean view, outdoor kitchen
and of course, those incredible disappearing walls.
I stopped
by to check on our friends new home, after picking up two of our boys from
soccer practice. Raymond and Ryan were wearing their soccer cleats
as they clamored out of our Honda Element, (it was Santaluz so I parked our
Honda discreetly). Our boys complained I would not allow them into the home.
"C'mon dad? Why not? Do you think they will invite us
over after they move in?" I laughed as I held our youngest son, Ryan's
hand to make sure he did not fall into their incredible pool with a beach
entry.
Standing on the rear patio we looked through the massive sliding glass doors into the living room. I described, in exhaustive detail, how the glass doors slid back to reveal the panoramic view. It was then Raymond exclaimed, "Holy cow, and Ryan yelled, "Oh my gosh". I was pleased they appreciated the architectural marvel I was showing them. I wondered if it was the engineering of the doors or the view to the ocean that made them so excited. I then saw their eager faces in the reflection from the glass doors.
Their attention was not on the disappearing walls or the ocean view at all. In fact, they were staring intently at an old Walmart trampoline in the rear yard. Their excitement built as they begged me to jump on it. It was another reminder that our kids are pretty much like all kids. They don't really care about square footage, disappearing walls or awesome views. To a kid, life is about having fun. It's about frisbees, footballs, and kicking a soccer ball. I think sometimes we try so hard to provide the best for our kids. In the process we forget what their top priorities are. They really don't care if a home is a thousand or nine thousand square feet. They just want our attention.
As we stood in the backyard of our friend's home with the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean, all I could say was, "OK, kick off your soccer cleats. You have five minutes and don't dare break your neck!" The solitude of Santaluz was likely broken with the Shay boys yelling at the top of their lungs, "Yippee, this is awesome dad" as they laughed and jumped around on that trampoline. It reminded me once again to learn from my kids. They have it right. We really shouldn't mess with perfection.
Theresa, myself and out family hope you have an awesome week with lots of laugher!
Lots of buyers still out shopping this week. We listed a short sale in San Marcos that went contingent the first day it hit the market with other agents looking to put in backup offers. If you are priced
competitively it will
go quickly!
Had some inquiries about imminent short sales and how easy it is to short sale your home under this program and re-buy for less than 700K with only 3% down. Call for details. It is an amazing program if you have been staying current on your payments.
Exclusive 92127 Real Estate
TREND REPORT
Theresa and I also feel it is important to provide you with the best possible statistics for home sales. We are pleased to introduce our new data link with the latest residential real estate information about 92127. Every week we will bring you updated data to help you be an informed seller or buyer!
In the report, prepared exclusively for Shay Realtors, you'll find easy-to-read graphs with statistics, and valuable information broken down into bite-size pieces about current market trends specifically for our zip code.There are two options: {condo report} or {single family report}
THE RAFT
A Valentine Story for Theresa
I recall the first time I saw it. I was not sure it was a raft. I was driving on South Mission Boulevard near the Jetty, where the San Diego River and Mission Bay meet the Pacific Ocean. I had just left my small beach house rental on Mission Bay. An incredible, "bachelor" pad.
Only problem was, I began dating Theresa when I moved in, so it never quite turned into the, "bachelor" pad I had envisioned.
As I drove past a yard sale sign, I caught a
glimpse of a faded yellow color in between some parked vehicles. The
yellow was low and close to the sidewalk. I remember thinking,
"could it be"? I circled the block and parked. The
thought it might really be a life raft kept tugging at the corner of my brain.
I then saw it. It was deflated, lying quietly on the sidewalk.
I love to negotiate a great deal, but I did not even ask the price. I
simply told the woman, "I'll take it".
The raft was small and not in the best of shape. It was only a two or four man raft with screw together little plastic oars. It was definitely not United States Navy issue. It might even have been a toy raft. I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I was thrilled to have it. Yellow life rafts hold a very special spot in my heart. In fact, the only reason myself and two of my brothers are alive today, is due to a life raft.
Many years prior, during World War II, a life
raft kept our father and his crew alive as they floated, severely injured, for
several days and nights on the vast emptiness of the Pacific Ocean. My
father was the pilot of a B24 Liberator, (a plane my mom likely helped build at
Consolidated Aircraft in San Diego) when they took one too many passes at a
Japanese war ship, he and his crew had just set ablaze. On their final
pass, anti-aircraft guns shredded a portion of his plane. Their plane
then crashed into the cold Pacific Ocean. (To read a Warriors Tale click here).
The last time I had seen a yellow life raft was growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My dad brought one home from the base for us kids to play with in the backyard. I recall wheeling out my Mom's old Kirby vacuum cleaner that weighed oh, about a ton. When I took the brush portion off it was like removing a radiator from a car. It was massive. I attached the skinny brown hose to the vacuum and inflated the raft to the delight of my brothers, friends and neighbors. We played endlessly on that darn yellow life raft.
Hauling my raft home, I carefully hid it under two beach towels in the garage. I did not want Theresa to find it. An idea was percolating in my brain. I was not sure what it was, but I knew it was going to involve her. It seemed everything, "good" in my life revolved around Theresa. In fact,despite us being together for over a year, I had still not yet said those three little words that are so popular around Valentines' Day.
I knew it was me. It was my problem. I didn't trust anyone. Being a veteran cop I was even skeptical the sun would rise in the morning. Law enforcement officers are lied to 24/7. The majority of people you deal with lie consistently, have a hidden agenda, and given the opportunity, may even try to kill you. We used to joke, "How could you tell the suspect was lying?" "Easy, his lips were moving".
Unfortunately, this lack of trust crossed over to my personal life. I never told Theresa, but once while waiting for her to get ready in her apartment in Linda Vista, I saw my name written on one of those slide out directories on her kitchen telephone. Mine was the only name and there were about fifteen other blank slots. Sure. I believe that. I thought she manufactured print outs of the phone list and changed it whenever someone else came over. I of course quickly, "tossed the kitchen" while she was getting dressed. A CIA agent would have been impressed. Open drawers and cabinets, look fast, and reset the items. Well, I didn't find any other manufactured phone lists, but I kept thinking Theresa was too good to be true.
At the time, I was working an assignment that was warm and fuzzy and great for family values and honest people. Night Vice, it's the job where you deal with the underbelly of the City of San Diego. You spend every night in bars, strip clubs, porn shops, X rated movie houses, arresting perverts, drunks, scammers, pimps, prostitutes, and see first hand the enormous amount of money and greed that fuels it all. SDPD like most law enforcement agencies purposely tries to limit a night vice assignment to no more than 18 months. It's easy for a cop to become jaded in that environment.
The lines are sometimes blurred in night vice. There is so much grey. I had some college buddies visit SD and they looked at me in awe when they found out I worked UC (undercover) in strip clubs and had an expense account that provided cash for my detectives to spend in bars, nightclubs and strip joints as they carried out their enforcement activities. They said, "Ray, you have the best job in the entire world. You get paid every night to look at T and A.". To me, it was not the best of jobs. It is a very necessary and vitally important job, but not the best.
I prefer John Wayne movies. I like seeing the clear split between good and evil. I would rather confront armed street gang members any night of the week then work a, "john detail" where the guy you arrested has a picture of his wife and kids in his wallet. Or arresting a pimp and taking his fifteen year old prostitute/runaway from a small Midwest town to Child Protective Services. While he screams from the back seat of the patrol car, "she needs to get her ass back out on the track and earn me some money!"
I don't really know how Theresa put up with me for so long. How long can a women deal with, "I really like seeing you". "Hey, I like being with you". During those tough years, I honestly lost faith in my religion and any interest in Christmas. Theresa being the troublemaker she is, once snuck into my, "bachelor" pad and put up a Christmas tree with lights and even a little angel on top. Of course when we walked into the room together, the sudden change of lighting made me think the rear door of my home was opening and I reached for my 9mm tucked in the back waistline of my jeans. Theresa's smile, and quick confession put me at ease. Like I said, she was a troublemaker.
So my plan was set....
The band, the Wallflowers were playing an outdoor concert at Hospitality Point across the Bay from my home. Theresa arrived as the sun began to fade over the Pacific. We walked down to the water in front of my house. The yellow raft was fully inflated, (for at least a little while) and resting on the sand. It reminded me of my father and countless positive memories. It was just like Theresa. It was everything good about my life. I know I had put some appetizers in the raft, but all I can remember now is the plastic jug of margaritas. After all, I was the captain of the ship and I was facing a difficult mission more dangerous than any I could ever imagine.
As I pushed off from the sand with Theresa and
our provisions, I know we were laughing. The oars were only about three
feet long and looked ridiculous. The warm clear summer night and the
smell of salt water filled the air. Soon we were drinking margaritas and
listening to the concert tied up to other, "real boats" along the beach.
When the concert ended, I began to row home in that little raft. As Sea World began their fireworks display, I stopped rowing and said those three words. I think the margaritas helped steady my nerves. I finally believed and trusted her. The next thing I recall is we were laughing so hard we were talking over each other. Time slowed down as we lay in the raft looking at the stars and smelling the warm salt air.
Then I heard something strange. It was the sound of waves crashing. I ignored it for a while. It took over a full minute before I began to think, ....waves crashing...in Mission Bay? Glancing to my left I saw we were near the Jetty and the west lights of South Mission Beach. We were caught in a current pushing us out to sea! I sobered up with visions of Theresa's three brothers and sister murdering me for letting something bad happen to her.
I started paddling with those plastic oars so hard that sweat was running into my eyes as my shirt became drenched with salt water and sweat. Of course Theresa took it all very seriously. She was laughing so hard I could see her tears falling like diamonds in the moonlight on to the raft. I kept yelling at her, "this is serious, I'm not kidding, we're caught in a rip or something". Theresa's response was predictable. She just kept laughing harder and harder. The diamonds kept falling. She had no grasp of the danger.
Fifteen minutes later, fully exhausted, the USS Shay yellow life raft, (without much air), slid across the sand in front of my home. Theresa proclaimed with a smart aleck tone, "You saved your ship and your crew... What a brave Captain". As I think about that moment fifteen years ago, she was the brave one. I can say now what I should have said then," No Theresa, you actually saved me". Happy Valentine's Day
Special thanks to Lee Louis for the photographs of mission bay.
Counter Intuitive
Going against the grain.
Police Officers are naturally counter intuitive. Perfect example is the classic, "Man with a gun call" or, "417 gun" for short. It is one of the radio calls where chairs will be knocked over at the bagel shop, (Cops, Deputies, or CHP officers really don't eat donuts much anymore) as they hustle out the door and roll, "Code 3" to confront the threat as quickly as possible. The more dangerous the incident or threat to human life, the faster and harder law enforcement officers will strive to get there. It is like fire fighters running into a house on fire. Most people don't do those things. It's well, a bit, "crazy".
As an example, when Theresa and Gretchen were on a ride-a-long with me in Mid-City Division a several years ago, an armed man who was high on methamphetamine, fell through a ceiling of a house. As I recall, we drove for quite awhile on a sidewalk to get around cars in traffic and to the scene of the action. Thinking about that afternoon reminds me how much I enjoyed taking friends on SDPD ride-a-longs. They would tell me years later every nuance of the ten hour shift, while I recalled very little. It was just another day. It was also kind of weird that whenever Theresa would come on a ride-a-long, we would inevitably respond to at least one murder. She had a knack for selecting hot summer nights where street gang members or drug dealers would meet their final destination.
There are so many ways I could go with this weeks' story. I need to re-focus on what I opened up with. I was talking about being counter intuitive. Going the opposite direction of the crowd or what seems, "normal" to most persons. In this instance, I will actually be making a comparison of police work to real estate. Our real estate business model is in many ways, counter intuitive. We feel as if we are moving the opposite direction of the current real estate crowd.
A few years ago, we opened our first Community Hub(TM) in a kiosk next to the Chevron gas station at 4S Ranch Village. People said we were, "crazy". Theresa and I are now preparing to open our second, Community Hub (TM) in 4S Ranch Commons!
Saturday night at our Client Appreciation Event, at the Del Sur Ranch House, we announced to over 150 friends our plans to continue our unique business model. We will soon be opening a 1200 square foot Shay Realtors/REMAX Ranch and Beach Community Hub at 4S Commons. It will be next to Brett's Barbecue, which happens to have the best barbecue in town. I promise you have never seen a real estate office like the one we will be building. Our 2nd Community Hub (TM) will be strikingly different from our current location. For example, there will only be a single desk in our , "real estate office."
A single desk allows more room for the most important people in our business...You, the customer. It is each of you and your referrals that make our business grow. We are very respectful and appreciative of that fact.
Why a Community Hub? Let me answer that. Another thing I learned by working the roughest areas of the City of San Diego is that people, regardless of race or economic level need a place to gather. A place to talk. A place where you will be greeted with a smile and receive help, regardless if it is real estate related question or not.
As a new SDPD Lieutenant assigned to Mid City Division, I worked the areas around Euclid, and University Ave. A working class part of San Diego where over 53 different languages were spoken. My first few days in the command we received complaints of about a dozen Somalian men loitering outside the 7-11 store on University Ave. I saw them there almost every day. They were doing nothing wrong. They drank their coffee and talked. Not any different then what we do outside Starbucks or Coffee Bean at 4S Ranch, or any other upscale neighborhood. The difference is we have tables and chairs, not a dirt parking lot in a poor neighborhood with only a low block wall to rest your weary bones on. In fact, as I think about it, I wish I could have gotten those men tables, chairs and maybe even a fountain. Would that not have been grand?
In each area I worked, SDPD ultimately developed sub stations and community centers where people could meet and share ideas. It is a basic human need to be able to speak freely. It is also a basic human need to gather. It is one of the foundation of our great country.
It is a 
freedom that young men and women are fighting for and also dying for around this little place we call earth. Each and every one of them are our heroes.
So as some real estate brokerages are moving out of retail locations to office complexes and filling their buildings with desks and agents, Theresa, myself and other local REMAX agents want to go the other way. Let's push our paperwork to the ICLOUD, get almost all those desks out of the office and make room for the community. And most importantly, let's get into a retail location where it is convenient for our customers to get help, whatever it is.
So at Shay Realtors (TM) we are being counter intuitive. We're moving in the opposite direction. Theresa and I know this adventure is rife with risk. But as I sit here writing this, I know at the end of the day, I won't be peeling off ballistic body armor that is drenched with sweat. The dangers we are facing are not of a physical type.
Theresa and I believe if we build this Community Hub (TM), you will come, and our business and ability to help our community will grow. If for some unforeseen reason this radical concept fails, and the landlord takes our keys back, I know a great place in Mid City Division where I can get a great cup of coffee and say hello to some old friends. I could also bring our three boys and have a pretty good soccer game in that little dirt parking lot. Sure, It's not a fountain, but I know we would be greeted with some pretty big smiles.
Make the most of your day,
Sincerely,
Ray and Theresa Shay
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The closing of a business in our community is not a good thing. Small businesses like Nicks' are the economic engine in a capitalist economy that make this great country run. They provide employment, taxes, and transfer of commerce. Most people do not realize all the regulations, permits, insurance, rent, and other challenges placed in a small business owners' path. If you can navigate your way through them, you might stand a chance of survival. It does not mean you will necessarily be profitable. And in fact, the vast majority of small businesses actually fail.
I was thinking about the challenges Nicki faced, when I drove by her store this morning. I was really, "bummed". I tried to put my finger on, "why" it seemed so rotten. I then thought about how life would be different without Civil D in 4S Ranch. Where was Theresa, Yolanda, and most of the community going to find cool clothes at a great price? Civil D was the alternative. It was "The bomb" for clothing, and jewelry. But the big picture beyond the material items says so much more.
I was still thinking about the, "big picture" later in the day, when I saw a good deal of local traffic going in and out of her store. My first thought was, "Where were all those customers before?" Were they at North County Fair or did they go to Walmart? Why is there not more support for our local businesses and their owners, who risk everything? Brave entrepreneurs who don't have the safety net of a bi-weekly check and benefits from a government job or a large company. They strive to earn a living from the sweat of their brow and endure the stress of sometimes borrowing to make their employees payroll while they receive nothing. I wish those people would have shopped more frequently at Civil D long before the sign went up.
Then I realized what bummed
me out the most. Its her good karma. I am going to miss Nicki. Those of you that
know her, know what I am talking about. Has she never not smiled when she saw
you? Have you never felt better after going to see her at her store, regardless
if you 
bought something or not? It's funny, but she honestly reminds me of my
old Honda 90 motorcycle. I loved that motorcycle. Though my friends claimed it
was a moped, it was not. It was a MOTORCYCLE! It was dependable, economical,
full of energy and very time I saw it, rode on it, or even thought about it, it
bought a big smile to my face. Just like Nicki.
To any naysayers who think that Nicki's business failed, you are so very wrong. As a small business she beat the odds. She was profitable. She managed her employees, her inventory, and her responsibilities, with acumen. Her store helped bring this community together when it was so young. Everyone knows Nicki grew up around horses and loves to be around them. Her store did not Place, or Show, but it actually Won! It also won the hearts of the community.
So all you local shoppers call your friends and get out there and help America. Shop at Civil D and clear those racks! It is great stuff at unbelievable prices! When you are in her store be sure take a moment and thank Nicki for what she has done. I promise the good karma will rub off!
It was then I realized the gift that John was giving our family and
our team. As we sat near, "the pitch" as our friends across the pond describe a
soccer field, with kids running around and the sound of soccer acting as a
backdrop, John was completely focused on our son. His words as usual, were
caring, patient, professional, and wrapped beautifully in the most precious
commodity of all... TIME. There was no bow on his present but his gift had a
significant impact on all of the parents as well as the kids. One parent
commented admiringly, "John said things about our son only us as parents should
know. It was amazing".
Enjoy the Holiday Season-Ray and Theresa Shay
Excited 5th Graders get ready for start of Biz Town 2011
The students at my Real Town would then walk past a vehicle accident where a blood stained sheet is being pulled over the star high school athlete who was only a passenger in the vehicle. The driver had only had, "a few beers". The students would then look into the simulated, "holding tank" of the San Diego Sheriffs Department. The driver of the vehicle is being patted down for weapons or contraband for about the fifth time. The SDPD Officer hands the Deputy the, "fish slip". The young man's eyes are as big as saucers as he looks into the, "holding tank". A narrator explains that the holding tank is where arrestees can make a phone call among about forty other criminals, before transitioning to another room for a humiliating strip search. The odors of urine, sweat, and fear permeates the room.
Have a safe week,
It was about 0430 hours on Thanksgiving morning and Theresa and I were up making final arrangements for the Thank You Run 5K, 10K, and Kid's Run/Walk. In the predawn darkness, the fatigue of the week leading up to the run was setting in. With any challenge undertaken, there are times when you begin to wonder what you were thinking when you set the bar so high.
By race start time, everyone was surviving off adrenaline and probably the fear an errant runner would end up running up Black Mountain. After mayoral candidate and former Marine hero Nathan Fletcher spoke, local Del Norte High School student and Glee Club member, Maria Touvannas began singing our national anthem over a hushed gathering of runners, walkers and, yes, families. She was amazing! The fatigue and doubt I had been feeling disappeared in seconds.
Probably the highlight of the day was seeing over 100 kids lining up to start the Kid's Run. They were so excited. Some were biting their lower lips as they tightened their little fists waiting for the CHP Police Officer to start his siren to initiate the run. I had them launch about a minute late so all those parents could take a few extra pictures of this special moment. The Fire Department then turned on their overhead emergency lights as the kids raced by. It made me wish I could capture this moment in an email and send it to the few who thought we were Mr. and Mrs. Grinch. A child's smile is the ultimate cure for what ails you.
Have a great week! Hope to see you and your family next Thanksgiving.
To see the race results simply click here: ThankYouRun.org.
(Mature content. Not for young readers)
Seven years later, Dan is still heading up the SWAT Tournament which includes area residents and supporters, SDPD Captain Mark Jones, Devine, Giles, Haux, Lindbarger, Mutter, Rowe, and Waltz families. Click the attached link for County Wide sponsors (2011 SWAT Tournament). A special Thanks to MOR Furniture who has been our title sponsor all seven years. Your leadership and support has been amazing. To date, they have all helped raise raise over $600,000.00 to support the SWAT Team.
Theresa and I wish you a great week,
