Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Broker's Corner 11.25.14

Competition in the Local Real Estate Market
Ray Shay
Broker/Owner
Shay Realtors 
The local residential real estate market noticed a significant line up change recently, when Real Living Lifestyles closed their doors to several of their
offices in the area.   It will be interesting to see what other national brands will be doing in the spring in an attempt to gain market share on private real estate brokerages like Shay Realtors. 

I think the competition will refine what real estate companies will be in the future, being an expert in an area and providing exceptional service will never go out of fashion.  Look for some exciting news from Shay Realtors in the first quarter of 2015! 

Ray Shay 858-449-4970

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Blue & Gold - Jackie Never Ran by Ray Shay

 
Editors note: Gold and Blue is a series of police stories which may be inappropriate for younger readers. This is a small peek behind the badge of America's Finest. 

Last Thursday morning as the sun began rising over San Diego, California, I found myself reflecting on the upcoming holiday season. I stepped off the treadmill and asked myself what I was thankful for?  I recall thinking, "I'm glad Jackie never ran."

My response surprised me.  Maybe it was my short and labored breathing as I recalled chasing criminals on foot or maybe, just maybe, I was thinking about rookie Police Officer Jerry Hartless.  I always think of him during this time of year. Jerry was killed in the line of duty in 1988, shortly after Chrstmas.    

Jerry, a former Marine who I had the honor of training was murdered while chasing an armed drug dealer who was a member of  a notoriously violent street gang in Southeast San Diego.
Officer Jerry Hartless is on the left.   


Jerry at the young age of twenty-four years old was the  elventh SDPD officer killed in the line of duty in just eleven years, (click here). At the time our officer mortality rate ranked us the most dangerous city in America to be a cop.

As for Jackie, he was one of our regular customers.  I cannot really say he was my friend since we only interacted while I was on the job. 

Jackie had a slight problem.  He was a code three heroin addict and we were on opposite teams.  His job was to feed his addiction while we tried to stop him.   

Patrol carJackie was easy to recognize.  When we saw each other in the busy downtown streets of San Diego he never ran from me. I think part of it was the derivative of opium regularly flowing through his blood stream which slows everything down.  In a strange way we both enjoyed talking with each other.

I usually only arrested Jackie early in my shift before darkness fell and brought with it the increase in violent crime which pushed non violent criminal arrests to the back burner.  It would be tough to explain to my fellow officers I was with Jackie when the drive by shootings and stabbings started coming in and there was no one available to cover them.

So many young people think drugs can be romantic or are not dangerous. I wish I could somehow bring every high school student in San Diego into the cramped quarters in Police Headquarters where we conducted our evaluations of persons under the influence of narcotics.
Jerry's Police Academy Classmates.
Jerry is in lower left corner.

It was where police officer trainees would often begin to learn what it is like to see a heroin junkie up close and personal.  I won't even attempt to describe the smell that filled the dark room as we examined Jackie's pinpoint pupils.  

They say a person's eyes are a mirror to their soul, but they are also the truest indicator of what is coursing through a persons blood stream.

Jackie if nothing else was consistent.  He almost always displayed the classic symptoms of opiate abuse by repeatedly licking his dry lips, lightly scratching his face and when he spoke you could see the white film on his tongue and lips.

I would always look at my trainees face when Jackie rolled up his sleeves or his pants legs as the lab technician faced the challenge of trying to find a useable vein to draw blood.  The police_badge.jpgcountless puncture wounds, scabs and abscesses provided a strange roadmap of where all of Jackie's veins were within reach of a hypodermic needle.  Silent testimony to his relentless addiction.
 
On the rare instances when Jackie was not high, I could tell he was in pain. I suggested he go to the methadone clinic or get help, but he would just shake his head from side to side much like the tremors he experienced due to his bodies hunger for heroin. 

Monty Hall  
When we had enough arrests on  Jackie we would meet in San Diego Municipal Court.  Jackie's Public Defender always had a strange look on his or her face when Jackie and I exchanged pleasantries. 

Much like Monty Hall on Let's Make A Deal, Jackie would plead guilty to a few counts of under the influence of narcotics while the City Attorney would throw out a few.  The ultimate result is Jackie would finally get help for his addiction while in custody.

When Jackie got out of jail he always looked so much healthier.  I'm sure it was the "Duffy Burgers."  The name inmates and deputies called the hamburgers served in County Jail.  A jab or compliment to Sheriff Duffy.

When Jackie returned to the streets he would always quickly climb back on the drug train where food is no longer important.  It took control of him and ultimately carried Jackie and countless people like him to their graves.

In a strange and tragic way both Jackie's slow death and Officer Jerry Hartless' violent death are connected through drugs. As our society continues our path towards decriminalization of not only marijuana but narcotics, people should reconsider how it will impact our children.
Officer Jerry Hartless carried to his final resting place.  
I think if the people who voted for passage of Proposition 47 (which made narcotic possession a misdemeanor in California) had met Jackie, or saw Officer Jerry Hartless' young widow holding the above flag in her small and trembling hands, they would have been better educated voters.

After twenty four years in law enforcement, I prefer to focus on the roses, but it is likely the hidden scars which reminds me to take a moment when sitting down with family and friends this holiday season and give thanks to both law enforcement and our military heroes for their sacrifices.

Without them and their families, our people and certainly our country would be lost to violence.



Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Broker's Corner 11.18.14

Cost of Living in San Diego
Ray Shay
Broker/Owner
Shay Realtors 

Cost of living data collected by the Virginia-based Council for Community and Economic Research found that San Diego is the 13th most expensive city (among those with more than 50,000 residents) in the United States.

An analysis of the data showed the cost of living here is 30 percent over the national average and that housing costs are more than double the national average. New York City, San Francisco, and Honolulu were at the top of the list of the most expensive cities.

To see the entire list go towww.economicpolicyjournal.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.     

Inaugural Food Harvest by Ray Shay

   
KUSI Morning Show at the 4S Ranch Community Hub. 
CEO Jim Floros of the San Diego Food Bank looks on. 
  

In our recent company wide meeting we committed to combining a food drive with our Fifth Annual Thank You Run.  Since it was our first year we decided to only include 4000 single family homes or so.

That was when the nervous laugh hit all of us.  Even I wondered how we could possibly accomplish it.  I am not sure who suggested, "let's call our clients and friends."

It is difficult to express the sense of appreciation I felt when within minutes of posting the food drive on Facebook, so many of you volunteered to pass out the grocery bags in your neighborhoods.

It reminded me of what it must have felt like in generations past when a community came together to harvest food.

After the bags were picked up, we had hundreds of them resting on the floor of the Community Hub.  A man who only identified himself as "Jim"  walked up and asked me and Al Steiner for an empty paper bag.  What happened next surprised me. 

Mike Shay and David Flores.

We provided "Jim" with an empty bag and he returned a few minutes later and it was filled to the top with food. He had walked across the parking lot and went into Ralphs Supermarket to buy tuna fish and peanut butter.  
  
I thanked him and I noticed he went next door to Brett's Barbecue.  As I was leaving I told him again about how this week of giving had reminded me about the amazing spirit and generosity of this community and I thought what he had done was pretty darn special.  

About twenty minutes later I got a call from Al who said, "Ray, you wouldn't believe it but Jim returned again.  Guess what? He asked for another paper bag."
The affable KUSI News Reporter Brad Perry visits with Jessica and Derek Breaux 

If your wondering, Jim really did walk back across the parking lot and purchase another bag of food for the hungry and dropped it at the Community Hub.  

There are really too many people to thank, but let me assure you that each of you made this holiday a little better for people who are hungry.  You also reminded our family how lucky we are to have each of you as neighbors and friends.  

Jim Floros, the Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Food Bank was very clear when he said, "Unfortunately hunger does not have a season.  It is year round."   

Support the San Diego Food Bank and other community service organizations.  It is these companies who provide for the less fortunate through your generous donations. 

See you at the Thank You Run.


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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Broker's Corner 11.11.14

Del Sur Estates - Preparing to Open
Ray Shay
Broker/Owner
Shay Realtors
_

If you're wondering what the latest and greatest is you will find it with Standard Pacific's Del Sur Estates.  These homes are off the charts in innovation and indoor/outdoor living.  If you are interested in getting on their interest list be sure to visit Standard Pacific - Del Sur Estates.

www.standardpacifichomes.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.     

Countdown by Ray Shay

 
 
I don't know about your place, but our home seems to be surrounded by more launch pads than Cape Canaveral in the early seventies.  Theresa and I peer out through the extra thick, blast proof windows of Mission Control while we constantly check the status of each rocket as it prepares to launch.

If I listen carefully, I can hear a man's deep voice resonate over the public address system as he slowly counts down, "T minus ten seconds and counting. 10, 9, 8,... I never understoodthe T-minus part.  I clicked on the link indicated above and found out NASA also uses an E-minus.  

Pretty cool stuff.

If NASA could do it all over again, I think they would have upgraded to the sound of a soft spoken, articulate woman.  Hearing her voice as the powerful engines shake and start their thunderous rumble the astronauts would be more at ease because they would never have to wonder,  "what did we forget to pack."  If the unfathomable happened and the rocket did explode, at least the last words they heard would not be from someone who could have been the, "Marlboro Man."
 
Mission Control  

The rockets preparing to launch at our home are not much different than rockets we all anxiously awaited for as children.  I can still recall counting down the minutes until I turned thirteen years old.  I could not wait for my new job title of, "teenager." That specific day, like so many other days or events seemed to take forever to arrive.

The current launch schedule at our home includes the, "USS - I Want My Driver's Permit" on Launchpad #1.  On #2 we have the "USS - When Will My Paintball Gun Arrive?"  And on #3 we are in the process of an emergency rocket change.  "The USS - I Deserve a Sleep Over" is being rolled away from the tower due to an administrative override.

I better dim the blast shields because the "USS - You Are Grounded" is being fueled with
Launchpad #1  
liquid oxygen at multiple fill points and will be launched momentarily.  It's amazing how fast Mission Control can change everyone's launch schedule. Our young astronauts don't seem to realize it is so much harder on all of us to scrub a mission versus letting their fueled rockets fly.  I guess like anyone in charge, being a parent can be lonely.

I find it humorous children cannot wait to grow up while as parents we have a different perspective.  We love progress, improvement and having fun, but I think we tend to notice the splashdowns more than the launches.

Something about seeing those three bright colored parachutes slowly floating down to the deep blue ocean as they hold our children's space capsules safely in their grasps.  After a big splash of salty ocean water, their scorched black re-entry capsule door opens and we can see them smiling.

After they are rescued from the capsule they want to skip decontamination, hugs or anything of the sort.   They rightfully want to move on to the next rocket, the next adventure.  A blessing we all enjoy by being part of this amazing country where opportunity and democracy brings a bright spark to our children's lives. A spark often more muted in poorer and non democratic countries.

Coming Home  
I am quick to recognize when our children approach splashdown. In the early morning hours a few days ago, our youngest son Ryan climbed out of his bed and into ours. As I rubbed his messed up hair and welcomed in, I knew his current magical mission of being a little boy is almost over. I wish I could extend this particular mission, but like all missions I know it has to come to an end.

Seeing the scorched and battered rescue capsule reminds all of us of the value of each second we are on this beautiful earth. Despite the worries, effort and challenges we all face, it is a blessing.  One day all of our launch pads will undoubtedly go dark.

When that happens, I hope we can throw all our papers into the air like they did in the Apollo Missions Control Center and yell, "hallelujah!"  Until then, our current challenge is how fast can we get the"USS - You are grounded" into the water?  After all, we have a very long line of amazing rockets lined up all the way from development to the launch pads.

Let's get going people, there is so much more work to be done! 
salute flag
Honor Our Veterans
Have a great Veterans Day. It is because of our war veterans and their families countless sacrifices over hundreds of years we are able to look up at the evening sky with a sense of wonder and enjoy  the freedom to dream of a better tomorrow.

Thank you,


Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Monday, November 10, 2014

Broker's Corner 11.04.14

The Three Elements That Determine if Your Home Will Sell 
Ray Shay
Broker/Owner
Shay Realtors
_


It is common knowledge among real estate professionals the three things that determine if your home will sell.  

#1 Is your home the best it can be without going over the top to improve it?  

#2 Is your home being properly promoted and advertised? 

#3 Is your home priced correctly?  

I now it sounds simple, but those three things are it.  The other fundamental rule is once your home hits the market it will tell you the truth.    

At Shay Realtors we have a clear strategies to address the the first two items and we always have recommendations on pricing. I believe our marketing plans are exceptional and our complimentary staging and professional photography is also top notch.  

If you have any questions or want to discuss your options in complete confidence give me a call on my cell phone below.  

Ray Shay 858-449-4970

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

Money People by Ray Shay



Theresa checks out SWAT
Tactical Gear at Fundraiser  
 
On Thursday morning, Theresa and I were experiencing our typical early morning chaos as we prepared our three boys for school. What made the day special is we would soon be attending the 10th Annual SDPD Citizens for SWAT Golf Tournament at Maderas Golf Club.
 
As fate would have it, I turned the page on my morning newspaper and read a small article about the tragic news of four California law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in the last few days. The most recent victim was Pasadena SWAT Officer Shaun Diamond who died from wounds he suffered from a shotgun blast fired through the front door of a gang members home.
 
As what sometimes happens with military or emergency personnel, I sat quietly as I looked at the newspaper but my thoughts were suddenly miles away. I did not say a word to anyone as life continued to swirl around me.  It is hard to describe what it is like to suddenly trip and fall into a dark twisted tunnel that leads to one of my private memories.  A moment in time, I would rather not recall.  

I was back in the dark and dank hallway near downtown San Diego when the explosive breaching team cleared an alternative entry point to the right of the front door. We were preparing an observation or secondary entry point via the armed suspect's closet.  I still recall the plastic explosives "rocked" all of us and knocked my ballistic helmet down hard across the bridge of my nose.

As I pushed up my helmet the suspect began firing his weapon through the front door.  I could not see the bullets only hear the smaller explosions and the metal on metal mechanical sounds of his weapon cycling as the splintering wood holes appeared on the surface of the wooden door allowing small round beams of light to leak out of his barricaded residence and illuminate the soiled carpet outside his front door. 

As I reflected briefly on those past critical moments, I could not help but think of the Pasadena Police Officer and his fellow team members.  I then quietly folded the newspaper and told all three of our sons I wanted them to come to the SWAT banquet tonight so they could meet some real heroes.  Our middle son Raymond asked, "Dad were you a hero?"  I quickly replied, "No son, not me. I was just doing my job."

I explained the real heroes were the people who came to the golf tournament and donated their hard earned money in order to buy equipment to help the SWAT Team save lives. In unison, both Raymond and Ryan laughed out loud and yelled out, "Oh That's great dad!  You tell the SWAT Officers tonight  they are not heroes. Let us know how it works out for you?"
Ray with San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, SDPD Chief of Police Shelly Zimmerman and Citizens for SWAT Co-Chair Dan Barnett.   

I asked them to tell me who are the people who donate the money if they are not heroes?  

Ryan always quick with an answer said,  "There the money people dad." 

After several more exchanges Ryan stuck by his opinion insisting they were simply, "money people."  Why could I not understand that?

Later in the evening as the auctioneer asked for donations and people started raising their hands I felt like I always do at that time of the event, very uncomfortable. I don't like asking anyone for money, but I also know the reality is that very generous citizens and businesses are vital to providing SWAT Officers with the best equipment available to carry out their hazardous duties.

I also know SWAT and Police Officers see themselves as courageous and honorable people who enter harms way for a cause greater than themselves.  To them both the citizens and companies including long time supporters Mor Furniture, Serta and Echo Pacific Construction are the real heroes.

To Troy, Raymond and Ryan's point yes, SWAT Officers can be heroes.  The four California Law Enforcement Officers killed last week are certainly heroes that will never be forgotten.  They were dads, brothers and sons who will no longer be able to banter with their children, parents or siblings  about "Money People" and other such interesting things. 

It is another reason why Police and Sheriffs Departments across this great country need regular citizens to help them.  Law enforcement agencies can no longer do it alone.    

By the way, Citizens for SWAT raised over $100,000.00 dollars this year to help make our community and our police officers a bit safer. 

Thank you.

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Broker's Corner 10.28.14

Local Home Sales Note Some Price Improvements! 
Ray Shay
Broker/Owner
Shay Realtors
_


There has been lots of price improvements on homes in the area.  In case you do not know the current lingo describing a "Price Improvement" is really a "Price Reduction."   It's a pretty good way to market a price reduction and drive additional activity to a home. 

There are several things that are leading to a slowing market. The first is the substantial gains over the last two years.  Home prices had to "cool" or the market would be too overheated and ultimately bust.
Secondly, there is increased inventory by more people finding they have equity in their homes and the large number of new homes being built.  

Finally, it feels like take home pay has not suddenly improved and the costs of owning continues to increase.  These elements and typical slowdown at the holiday season are all impacting sales. 

Each circumstance is different.  Don't hesitate to give me a call if you have any questions. 

Have a great day!


Ray Shay 858-449-4970

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