Sorry,
no story this week. The kids are out of school, and we're enjoying
having them around. From our family to yours we wish you all a terrific
Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Broker's Corner
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The latest news on local real estate by Ray Shay, Owner/Broker Associate of Shay Realtors of REMAX Ranch and Beach - #1 in home sales in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Today's
Broker Corner is a bit different, but it still applies to our area
homes and their increasing value. Theresa and I have been
In
the course of the round I saw some really nice homes being built
overlooking the golf course. I would guess there were at least 17
multimillion dollar homes being constructed.
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Thanks, Ann! Awesome day.
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A
few of the homes are being built for the ultra rich and are reflected
by the beautiful architecture and use of native plants that are a big
part of being a resident of Santaluz. I am purposely declining to
identify these residents and feel it is more important to note that our
area is highly sought after from buyers both inside our country as well
as outside.
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Santaluz is one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever played. - Ray
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Local Market Update
We can provide you with custom weekly reports.
You will find easy-to-read graphs with statistics, and valuable
information broken down into bite-size pieces about current market
trends specifically for our 92127 zip code. Call us at 858.449.7355 or email us today for your custom condo or single family home report.
Karl Strauss, Ralph's, Jimbo's and JJ
Written by Ray Shay
Next Thursday morning, Karl Strauss will be serving ice-cold beer at
their beer garden at the conclusion of our Fourth Annual Thanksgiving
morning 10K, 5K, and Kid's Fun Run in 4S Ranch, (register here). Karl has always been supportive of the community.
Ralph's will be providing water and granola bars and Jimbo's will be passing out awesome, organic fruit. All of them
That
being said, there is someone I love even more. His name is John "JJ"
Gener. He is unable to walk or run in this year's race, but in a
strange twist of fate, I hope he will be there to bring a sense of
confidence and push away the fears of our nine year old son, Ryan when
he stands up in front of the crowd of about fifteen hundred people to
sing our national anthem.
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JJ
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Helping people and bringing confidence to a fearful or dangerous situation is nothing new to
JJ. It was a short 30 years ago, when myself and many other rookie
cops, senior detectives, police dispatchers and countless other people
trusted JJ to do exactly the same thing.
In
law enforcement confidence and fortitude are contagious, but so is fear
and hesitation. With the first you have a winning hand while in the
second you are likely doomed to failure that could result in you being
carried by six of your fellow officers while taps are being played. Not
a good thing.
None
of us ever admitted we were scared on patrol, but I know I always felt
safer when I was at a radio call, crime scene or bar fight if JJ was
with us. We would frequently walk into locations where pimps,
prostitutes and drug addicts were all present. And they were actually
the "good people."
The
rest were street gang members, parolees, sexual deviants and bums.
Given the chance any of them would try to assault us. They never seemed
to try anything when JJ was around. He was
always so strong and quick, but more than that he had this confidence
that coursed through his veins. There was always a sense of toughness
and fairness in his DNA. I think evil people just knew he was not the
person to challenge.
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JJ with his favorite meal!
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Some
police departments have places in their cities that they simply do not
go. It was with a sense of pride that if we were ever told not to go
some place, we made a point of doing just that.
When
law enforcement surrenders even the smallest corner of our city out of
fear, we have lost the battle. JJ always knew that it is street cops and
detectives like him that even today help to keep us and our children
safe.
After an especially vicious night on the streets of San Diego we would often meet
at a small bar on the waterfront of San Diego Harbor, called
"Bernie's." Pitchers of cold beer flowed like pain killers for the
injured dispatchers, cops and detectives. JJ would walk into that
crowded bar with his Chicago swagger, tugging on the center of his
t-shirt as he followed up with a hearty laugh and a slap on our backs.
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John "JJ" Gener with his two sons,
(left to right) Bryan and Mike.
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We
all loved JJ's sense of humor and the way he looked at life. You had to
be careful because the night would sometimes be filled with hugs or
even a beer kiss or two on the cheek. It must have been something he
learned growing up on the south side of Chicago.
JJ
always made us all feel like we were his brother and the female
officers were his sisters. We knew he would always stand tall with us
and never flinch, even if we were facing the devil himself.
I think God must know how tough 
JJ
is and maybe that is why he saddled him with Lou Gehrig's disease. A
terrible disease with no apparent foe that ravishes both young and old
across this country and the world. A mysterious and fatal disease that
both the cause and cure are still unknown.
A
weaker man would have quit when a doctor told him he had ALS. We are so
proud of you JJ. You are working so hard to continue being a great
friend to so many, father to your two sons Bryan and Mike and husband to
Mary Ann.
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JJ and Me a long time ago. Yep it's Coors light. I don't know what I was thinking.
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I hope you feel well enough to come to the race next week.
Even
if you don't, I know when Ryan grabs the microphone I will be thinking
about you and saying a little prayer. A prayer for a man that has
always put others before himself and lead the charge.
Hang
in there JJ. You are not alone in your battle against ALS. And though
you may not hear from many of your police family we are still here to
provide cover for you. Just like you did for all of us, so many years
ago.
If
you miss the Thank You Run, be sure to sign up for an ALS fundraiser
to help JJ and his family on Sunday, December 15 at the Vineyard Golf
Course in Escondido. See the below link.
Enjoy your week,
Ray and Theresa Shay
2013 - All Rights Reserved
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Goodbye bears...
Written by Ray Shay
It was a cold winter evening when I stepped out of the borrowed pick up
truck in front of our small home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The engine
was idling roughly as it pushed out clumps of hot, moist exhaust which
turned quickly into little, white clouds that floated mysteriously down
our darkened street.  |
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The Shay Kids (minus Joe)
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Moments earlier, I had thrown an old, green duffel bag into the bed of
the truck with all my worldly possessions. I knew it was my last few
hours in my hometown. I was lucky. I grew up in the same house with my
parents, four brothers and two sisters. It was the only home I had ever
known.
I
tried my best to slow my heart rate as I took large strides running up
the concrete steps that my father and brothers had built when I was just
an infant (see right). I knew I was about to say goodbye to my family,
but I was so excited about moving to California to become a police
officer, nothing else mattered. It was all I ever dreamed of.
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Detective Longstreeet
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I
opened our old, wide front door and made my way down the narrow hallway
to my parents' bedroom. The same hallway where my little brother, Joe,
was almost knocked unconscious when he tried running down it with his
eyes closed because he was pretending to be the blind detective from the
seventies show, "Longstreet."
I still recall Joe looking up with a growing lump on his forehead and a
dazed look on his face, as we all of course started laughing
hysterically.
I opened my mom's bedroom door and sat down on the edge of her bed as she set her book
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Mom
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down. I told her I loved her and said I was leaving. She warmly said,
"come here old bean." I still don't know exactly what "old bean" means,
but we hugged, and she gave me the "be careful" look before trying to
discreetly wipe a tear from her left eye.
My mom then managed half a smile as she said, "it's time." She then picked her book back up and began reading again.
I
stood and walked out of her bedroom and shut the door. I found my
father by his bar in the kitchen and gave him a quick hug and then ran
to the truck without ever looking back. My mom never told me, but I
suspect she probably put her book back down after she heard me drive off
in that old truck. She would have never wanted me to see her cry.
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San Diego
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I didn't feel very sentimental at the moment. The truck was running, I
was just 20-years-old, and I knew in about 12 hours I would be arriving
in San Diego, California. I could not wait to enjoy the warm breezes
filled with the smell of the ocean, surfing, the countless palm trees
and the California babes. Not necessarily in that order.
It
was my next adventure. Pursuing new challenges seemed easy because all
of us kids were fueled by the support of our family who never babied any
of us seven kids and encouraged us to take risks. Which brings me to
the darn bears. I think I finally know what my mom felt like on that
cold winter night when I said goodbye.
I used to secretly cringe when Theresa and our three boys would walk past a Build-A-Bear store at
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Goodbye bears...
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I
always bit my tongue and just provided the credit card wondering how
long it would take to pay off the little, overpriced costume on the
stuffed animal. I knew giving until it hurts is just part of being in a
Chinese or any other family. I always wondered to myself, wouldn't a
Walmart bear be just as good?
Soon
all the bears had their own names, and ever since Ryan could walk he
would call for a different bear by its name to sleep with him. The bear
selected was so lucky to be tucked warmly under his right arm. In the
short nine years of his life, I don't think I missed more than 20 times
kissing him goodnight and seeing his arm wrapped around one of the
bears.
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Bo Bear
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Then last week, I came home later than normal, and Ryan was already asleep
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Army Bear
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in his bed. In his darkened room I leaned over and kissed him and
patted his back, and I noticed his arms were empty. I saw the light
shining in from the hallway and saw Army Bear was lying by his bed on
the ground. That had never happened before.
I
walked directly to our bedroom and asked Theresa a little harshly,
"What the heck is going on? Ryan does not have a bear with him?" Theresa
looked up from her book and said nonchalantly, "he said it was time." I
snapped back, "he did not say that!" Of course, Theresa looked at me
like I was wacko and responded, "Yes, he did. He is nine-years-old. He
just said, it was time."
I
guess I knew in my gut he is getting older, but in my heart I wanted to
run back into his room and stuff that stupid little bear back under his
arms. I felt it was too early for him to move on. I then thought for a
moment about what my mom would have done. No one ever said being a
parent is easy.
I know I probably slumped my shoulders and sighed before slowly closing our bedroom door. I think my mom would be proud.
Ray and Theresa Shay
2013 - All Rights Reserved
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Broker's Corner
by Ray Shay
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The latest news on local real estate by Ray Shay, Owner/Broker Associate of Shay Realtors of REMAX Ranch and Beach - #1 in home sales in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The residential market certainly picked up the last two weeks. We currently have eight homes in escrow. An important element of any escrow is the appraisal process. We make it a point of always meeting the appraiser on site with our own market analysis to make sure the deal gets done at the agreed price.
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| City of San Diego Building Inspectors David Abshier, James Michaels and Joseph Castro |
Another important element in home escrows is the question of non-permitted areas in a home. A red flag is usually raised by the appraiser or the homeowner when they disclose that they did not get a permit for a project in their home.
A non-permitted area is not a fatal flaw, but if you are thinking of listing your home and you have a non-permitted improvement be sure to let us know. We have developed expertise in this area and we will help you look at a variety of options. If it is not handled appropriately it can be the proverbial monkey wrench that may kill the deal or reduce the sale price.
We are meeting with county inspectors later this morning on another transaction, and we have found what the gentlemen to the right call "as-built" projects are pretty common, and they look for ways to work with their customers. If you have any questions we can help with you with, don't hesitate to give us a call.
Local Market Update
We can provide you with custom weekly reports. You will find easy-to-read graphs with statistics, and valuable information broken down into bite-size pieces about current market trends specifically for our 92127 zip code. Call us at 858.449.7355 or email us today for your custom condo or single family home report.
Who is that guy?
Written by Ray Shay
I really like my iPad. I guess I have always had a geeky side. There is just one serious problem. My iPad has a recurring glitch that Apple refuses to talk about, and I have been unable to find it being discussed in any online forums, computer magazines or among other iPad users.
The software issue only occurs when my iPad switches to "FaceTime" or when the light strikes the reflective retina display screen just right. I know when this annoying glitch occurs because it is downright frightening.
I still vividly recall the first time it happened. I was peering closely at my iPad, when a not very bright-looking guy was suddenly looking back at me. He reminded me of my father, but older. There were lots of wrinkles, some sag working, no hair
and he kept mimicking my facial expressions. For a split second, I thought the man I was looking at was the senior mortician on the Crypt Keeper website.
and he kept mimicking my facial expressions. For a split second, I thought the man I was looking at was the senior mortician on the Crypt Keeper website.
After staring at him for a moment longer, I came to the realization that I was actually looking at myself. I recall laughing out loud and thinking, boy, I am getting Ocean, Lincoln, David (OLD). My next thought was to rush to the Apple Store at North County Fair and yell out in desperation to their staff (who all look like they are in high school), "This is an emergency! Please, someone fix my iPad, I don't want to ever see that face again!"
What's even funnier is that I don't feel the way I look. I feel young and healthy and still believe I could work a graveyard shift in a patrol car in any city in this country. I can see myself running down criminals, protecting the young and old while still going to choir practice in the morning and celebrating another successfully completed shift.
The reality is I am a dreamer. I would likely be a hazard to both the public and my fellow officers. Street police work is generally for young people with both the technical skills and the reaction speed to confront critical situations. The question I ask myself is how does a person stay young on the inside while your exterior is quickly beginning to look like a band member of the Rolling Stones, without hair?
I think it helps if you have ever experienced a near-death event, worked with people who are at the bottom of the economic ladder or cared for a terminally ill or badly- disabled family member. Those types of experiences make you feel more blessed and prevent you from staring into a mirror wallowing in self pity as you whine like a baby, "I'm getting so old."
By experiencing those events, I feel as if my sunglasses and yes, my increasingly powerful Costco reading glasses, both have a 
special tint, that reminds me I beat the odds. Each blessed day I can rub our children's heads or give them each a big hug are serious gifts from above. Ones never to be wasted. I am surprised how many people both young and old lose that tint or never had it.
special tint, that reminds me I beat the odds. Each blessed day I can rub our children's heads or give them each a big hug are serious gifts from above. Ones never to be wasted. I am surprised how many people both young and old lose that tint or never had it. |
John Napier
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I can think of so many people who have that special tint in their glasses. A few local people that come to mind are San Diego Soccer Club Coach John Napier, Nicki Starr, Patti Bossone and my father in law, Jimmy Mok. Every single day they all have a smile, a laugh and a kind word to share with complete strangers. They know they are getting older on the outside, but inside they are as shiny and new as a freshly- minted copper penny.
I hope I can always be more like them. In fact, I am committed to it. I recall Oprah Winfrey saying in an interview that she was going to keep working at everything she can do to help other people and stay positive. She then said something like, "I want the Lord to use me up until there is nothing left." That is the type of person I want to be. Stay "new" on the inside. So, if someone could just throw me a guitar, it is time to get the band back together.
y "new" on the inside. So, if someone could just throw me a guitar, it is time to get the band back together.
As a side note to this story, my father in law, Jimmy Mok, "The Mayor of 4S Ranch" turns 78 years old this week. Be sure to yell out "Happy Birthday, Jimmy!" when you see him. It's good to embarrass him.
Jimmy will be providing a brief lecture and video presentation on "How to keep smiling" while he taps the keg at Karl Strauss Brewing Company in 4S Ranch at 5:30 p.m. this Thursday. We would love to see you all there. The second part of Jimmy's highly-acclaimed motivational series will be presented later in the evening at the 4S Ranch/Del Sur Community Foundation Celebration at the Shay Realtors Community Hub.
Ray and Theresa Shay
2013 - All Rights Reserved
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