Doors By Ray Shay

  
As Theresa and I stood on the expansive patio of Loews Coronado Bay Resort on Saturday afternoon, I found myself looking across the bay at the changing hues of our San Diego skyline as the warm yellow sun seemed to melt into the Pacific Ocean.
 
I took a moment to privately acknowledge our good fortune and ask myself how I ended up here. I felt lucky to witness the magical moment when Lindsey Ludwig turned towards her family and friends, sharing her trademark gentle smile as she held up a bouquet of bright flowers into the rapidly changing colors of our October sky. 

Lindsey and Blake

 
I never imagined seven years ago when I placed my Lieutenants badge on SDPD Chief Lansdowne's desk, I would have the opportunity to experience such a variety of events.  By changing careers and choosing a different path, I discovered an entirely new set of doors.  Each of them unique with their own challenges and surprises.
 
Like James P. "Sulley" Sullivan and his one-eyed partner Mike Wazowski of Monsters Inc. a few of the doors I opened had big surprises. Some of them I wish I never opened, while others, like the one we opened today, reinforced I made the right decision.  

Lindsey and her father Steve Ludwig.

 

As the owner of a company you develop a close bond with your employees and you feel fortunate to share glimpses of their lives, regardless if it is a challenge they currently face or a day of celebration.

Lindsey, like all of our employees, works hard to bring a higher level of service to our extremely competitive, commission only business.  A dramatic change from law enforcement where there were always plenty of customers and the paycheck never bounced.  Leaving that security to

Blake and Lindsey Fech.

walk on a trail less traveled has been frock with uncertainty, but also some amazing rewards.

I recognized the value of my job change as Theresa and I stood in the main ballroom as Lindsey and Blake Fech were announced. I wished them good fortune as they prepared to step through one of their first doors together as husband and wife.  Congratulations!

Have a great week

,

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Broker's Corner 10.21.14

The Housing Market is Slowing 

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _

As we approach the holiday season you can feel the slowdown in activity and value cooling.  It was inevitable and it is really a good thing it is here.  The housing market was running too hot for too long.  It could not continue the pace it was on. 

I think you will be seeing a more normal market in the foreseeable future. This week with the problems in the stock market pushed the 30 year fixed interest rate to below three percent.  The rush for refinancing is on.

With the housing market slowing and interest rates dropping it is a great time to buy or to move up.  If you are interested in talking about current market conditions and options available, just give me a call. 

Ray Shay 858-449-4970

This information is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of Shay Realtors Inc.     

Guardian Angels by Ray Shay

10.21.14

I recently found myself secretly wondering if Guardian Angels really do exist.  In some ways it would make sense.  How else can I explain some strange events that have occurred in my life.  If they ever do suddenly appear it would catch quite a few people by surprise. I would be shocked too if suddenly all these amazing angels were seen flying around.  

This unusual subject matter was bouncing around in my brain as I sat at a stoplight on Camino Del Norte and 4S Ranch Parkway.  I was bored.  I was driving our company car.  A car our really kids don't like to be seen in.  I think it is because it is a Prius and it has our company logos on it. I guess that is the proverbial double whammy or worse, especially if you are a teenager and you want to look "cool" and impress your friends.

As I waited for the light to change I looked up and saw several adults and young kids pushing two young men in wheel chairs who looked severely challenged.  The people pushing the wheelchairs and the group of youths were all smiling and full of positive energy.  They displayed broad smiles and were laughing and joking. 

Looking at them brought me out of my boredom. I said out loud to myself, "that's awesome."  I have a weird habit of talking to myself sometimes.  I continued to stare at them as they made their way across the street as my mind drifted back to thinking about Guardian Angels.  

  

 

I totally grew up Catholic, but the priests I know would all be very disappointed in my poor attendance at church.  I think being a police officer for so many years tainted me.  Even though I received double scoops of evil, I never lost sight of the good that surrounds all of us. I think being able to recognize both the good and bad of our society is what gives a person a sense of appreciation.     

As I quietly accelerated away from the light I saw the kids in my review mirror as they walked into 4S Commons Shopping Center. I don't know who they were, but if you are parent of any of them you have a reason to smile.  I actually thought of taking their picture but I did not want to infringe on their privacy. 

Their unselfish actions reminded me that it may be a little while longer before Guardian Angels really appear, but in the meantime people like them is what keeps us believing in the good of others and looking for ways to pay it forward ourselves.
     

Have a great week

,

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Broker's Corner 10.14.14

Home Ownership and Stock Market Volatility

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _

If you have never heard of "VIX" it is an indicator of stock market volatility, (click here for explanation). When it exceeds twenty points, it means most people are running for cover and/or calling their financial advisor as their stock portfolio has likely dropped like a lead balloon. Many investors also look at the same information and see it as a great opportunity to buy stocks.  See yesterday's graph of the Vix from about ten am to four pm: 

What I find interesting is we have many clients who have invested in multiple residential properties that generate monthly income. Values of homes rise and fall, but the volatility is significantly less than the market, which makes many of our clients very happy.  

Think about diversification and possibly buying investment properties.  If you had done so last week, you would not be staring at your stock portfolio wondering where you went wrong. 

If you have any questions on VIX or other investment strategies feel free to email our trusted financial advisor Michael Jennings at michael22258@msn.com.

Ray Shay 858-449-4970

This information is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of Shay Realtors Inc.     

"Shooting Stars" by Ray Shay

Our family home growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

When I was a teenager walking up to our small home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the first thing I always did was look to see if the kitchen light was on.   If it was, I immediately felt a sense of dread as it meant my father was still awake and he was likely sitting at the bar next to the kitchen.

Like many of the families with parents from the greatest generation it was a unique and memorable time.

Mom and Dad

Our Commander in Chief, the President of the United States sent our dad to fight in two wars.  The first was World War II and the second was the Korean War.  They equipped him with planes and weapons to defeat the enemy and also plenty of cigarettes and alcohol to ease the burden.

All this while our mom raised my older sisters and brothers while working at a San Diego military airplane manufacturing plant.  Like most civilians, our mom helped support the American war machine.  Sadly, it was the cigarettes and alcohol that ultimately shortened both of their lives resulting in them dying before either of them ever laid their eyes on our three beautiful sons.I recall slowly opening our wide front door with a creek and just hoping my dad would be in a good mood.  Sometimes he would have me come over to him as his cigarette burned in the ashtray and the pale white smoke slowly danced upward, hitting the low ceiling before splitting and silently rolling away, while his vodka and quinine water melted the little chips of ice he had cut himself with an ice pick in the small metal bar sink.

My dad would sometimes place his burly right arm over my slim shoulders and point to the ceiling with his left hand and slowly say, "Each of you are my shooting stars".  He would then take his arm off of my shoulders and then point towards our low, white ceiling with the circular swirl marks and say, "You are all going in different directions. I am so proud of each of you. It's just marvelous."

Dad

I never really said much as I counted the seconds until I could get past him and into my bedroom in the garage.  With nine people in our household including seven kids, our three bedrooms and the garage filled up pretty quickly. 

I think sharing a room, having home made clothes, and competing for the best food items were more common back then, or maybe it was just an indicator of which rung on the economic ladder our family landed.  It's funny, I never really felt we were "poor."

Until very recently, I always believed it was the alcohol, my parent's financial worries, or the memories of countless combat operations that resulted in my dad frequently being immersed in his own silent thoughts and often acting like our very own, "Great Santini."

As I sit here in the darkened silence only a few hours before deadline, I realize I have been wrong all these years.  Yes, the wars permanently scarred my parents, but under it all they loved each of us so deeply they would sacrifice anything and everything they had for us.

I think on many of those lonely nights my dad was thinking about his seven "shooting stars" and how he could make sure we stayed safe, clothed and moving in the right trajectories.  It's amazing to think how difficult that must have been.  


Theresa and I have been parents for about sixteen years and only have three kids to worry about and yet we constantly re-evaluate in hopes we are providing them the proper guidance on their complex journey to adulthood and we make the most of our time together.   The most difficult part for me is seeing how each of them change from week to week, year to year.

As you see one stage of their life end, you see another begin.  I find myself holding our youngest son on my lap longer and kissing his head more frequently because I know as he turns into a teenager I won't be so cool anymore and the thought of us holding hands will only be a fond memory.

I just might have to try the "shooting stars" example with our boys. More of a salute to my father and an apology for working so hard to avoid him for so many years.  I guess as a teenager, I never really understood my dad.  He is now gone, just like the cigarette smoke that danced along our ceiling before slowly fading away.

  

Cheers,

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014   

Broker's Corner 10.7.14

Lot's of New Homes Coming Soon! Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _ They had the first drop of wood at several new Standard Pacific Developments in Del Sur.   The new developments are south of Del Norte High School and are in a great position to make the most of views to the south and west.  If you have been thinking of moving up or down be sure to give us a call. Our five Buyer Specialists are exceptional and well versed in helping you finding your next home.  Sellers (including new builds) always pay the commission.  Put our team and these experts to work for you! Ray Shay 858-449-4970 This information is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of Shay Realtors Inc.

The SWAT Academy by Ray Shay

Like my parents before me, Theresa and I encourage our three sons to identify and pursue their passion, regardless of what it is. I feel lucky because I always knew I wanted to be a police officer.

When I stopped by the SDPD Firearms Training Range on Friday morning, it reminded me of my passion for law enforcement.  I saw potential new SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) Officers

SWAT Candidate

participating in the 2014 SWAT Academy.

I could heard the large volume of gunfire as SWAT candidates were learning advanced weapons skills and I saw officers carrying their tactical gear.  They yelled, "Good morning sir" as they marched past.  

The oppressive heat accentuated the unyielding effects of gravity on each of them as they strained under the burden of their heavy tactical body armor, weapons, ammunition and other gear which all seemed to be pressing them relentlessly towards our solid brown earth.

The sweat streaming off their faces reminded me once again what it means to the few SWAT officers who will successfully graduate and are awarded the honor of wearing a shiny brass SWAT pin on their dark blue San Diego Police uniforms.

SRT Officer Brad Pickett and  SWAT Executive Lieutenant Tina Williams

I noticed senior SRT (Special Response Team) Officer Brad Pickett was leading the training cadre.

We always called him "Bradman."  An excellent trainer and SWAT operator.  There were countless occasions where myself and other SWAT Officers worked with Brad and other team members to stop evil people who were intent on killing.

Being on a Perimeter, React or Entry Team as the door or wall of a home is breached with water backed explosive charges or feeling CS gas burning your lungs and eyes as flash bang diversionary devices were detonated, developed a certain bond between all of us.  Trusting someone with your life will do that to a person.

I felt a sense of melancholy when Brad said this would be his last SWAT Academy.  As I looked through my I-Phone viewer and took a picture of Brad and SWAT Executive Lieutenant Tina Williams, I realized how much the SWAT team has improved over the years.   

Ray back in the day...

You can tell from the photograph to the right, the quality of our equipment was historically poor.  I was using my hand held tactical mirror to peek around a corner of a wall in a training scenario at Camp Pendelton. I laugh when I see this photograph today, because that mirror was about as fancy as our equipment got and we each had to buy our own.

At SWAT missions the SEV (Special Equipment Vehicle) would roll up and pass out a limited number of helmets, gear and used Vietnam era AR-15 rifles and shotguns.  You learned to get to the Command Post early because it was like lining up at an ice cream truck in the middle of summer.  The selection of the best items dwindled quickly.  

Thanks to the support of the very generous business owners of ECHO Pacific, MOR Furniture, Citizens for SWAT Citizens for SWAT website and people like Dan Barnett, Tom Schwiebert, Padre baseball player Brian Giles and Assistant San Diego Police Chief Mark Jones, we now have one of the best equipped SWAT teams in the country.   

I visited briefly with Lt. Williams who is one of the handful of woman who ever successfully completed a SWAT Academy and like Brad she is a trusted and respected team member. Don't be fooled by her size.  Tina is an excellent XO and is a great compliment to SWAT Commanding Officer, Lt. Mark Saunders.
  
As I walked towards my car with Lt. Williams, she mentioned there are nineteen SDPD SWAT candidates and five officers from outside agencies in the academy and they had a qualification shoot later in the afternoon.  Neither of us said anything, but we both knew several of these men we saw today would likely not be around at the end of the academy.   

As the days wear on history has shown the constant stress, physical and mental demands and ability to consistently make sound decisions in difficult and rapidly changing environments results in candidates dropping on request or being dismissed from the SWAT Academy.   
  
It was good to see that despite having improved equipment the high standards of the team are clearly intact.  After all, under all that gear is simply a person's judgement and bravery.  It is what keeps these peacekeepers and our citizens as safe as possible as they enter the unforgiving world where there are no "do overs" and the margin for error is razor thin.   

The combination of a supportive community and a professional law enforcement agency is what helps these men and women pursue their highest priority, which is always the preservation of human life.  An honorable goal that is well worth the exceptional effort being put forth by both citizens and police.   

If you are interested in golfing at our 10th Annual Golf Tournament at Maderas to raise funds for the SDPD SWAT Team - Click on the following link:
  
SDPD SWAT Golf Tournament
  

Have a great week!

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014