Broker's Corner 2.10.15

Planning on Selling?

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors

It is kind of interesting how some homeowners will walk into one of our Community Hub locations and say, "I want to sell my home today!" We frequently encourage them to slow down so we can prepare the property for sale and front load our extensive marketing campaigns.

A little lead time will add value to the ultimate sale price of your home. My advice is to call us before you plan to sell in order to make sure you are making the proper improvements and not breaking the bank in items that do not add value. 

When in doubt what to do, give us a call. 

- Ray Shay 858-449-4970

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Phil, Tiger and Simon by Ray Shay

Phil, Tiger and Simon 

By Ray Shay 

Billy, John and Chad

 My brother in law, Billy Mok really loves the sport of golf.  He frequently plays it, watches it on television and can even be found in our small backyard swinging a golf club at imaginary little white golf balls. 

It appears that Billy falls into some type of trance when he is swinging the club through the dark green grass.  I have never asked, but I suspect his family knows he has a little problem which is likely related to a small strand or two of his DNA which is labelled, "Titleist."

I am far closer to the other end of the spectrum.  I enjoy playing golf in fundraising tournaments where as a member of a foursome I can play best ball, drink cold beer and laugh frequently.  I apologize to many of my friends who are golf aficionados who may suffer from Billy's affliction. 

I mention this because it helps to explain why I decided to take Billy to the Farmer's Insurance Golf Tournament at Torrey Pines Golf Club. I was privately dreading this experience, until I walked on to the beautiful and immaculately prepared golf course that San Diego locals just refer to as, "Torrey." 

Ray and Phill Mickelson

As you can see to the left, I stopped to say "hi" to Phil Mickelson who is both a great golfer and family man.  Callaway Golf made the right call to partner with him. 

Thanks to some old friends, Billy and I were fortunate enough to be allowed into the VIP area where many of the top golfers in the world, including Tiger Woods were warming up.  I found myself wondering why Tiger is still such a big draw to golf fans.

In years past, my voice was among the chorus of people cheering for him.  All that changed for me about the time he ran his car into a fire hydrant outside his 2.4 million dollar estate home in Florida.  There is something 

prophetic about his now ex-wife Elin Woods using a golf club to break out his car window. 

Tiger Woods

I think that is when many of us realized Tiger had an unfortunate character flaw that revealed a darker side to his personality.  As he and his executive protection detail stood only a few feet away from us, I realized I really had no interest in following him.  I turned to Billy and we both agreed we wanted to follow Phil Mickelson."

As we walked along the eighteen hole of the south course, we both met, "Simon."  I did not get his last name.  Simon mentioned he was not receiving any pay for his work but he just enjoyed  the crowds and the excitement of this event in our city.

Ray and Simon

His comment, "Our city" hung in the air around us like the cool morning fog.  He then smiled.  I immediately liked the guy. He is not what you would call tall or likely rich, but he struck me as having more value than many of the super stars I was standing with.

When we began following Phil's foursome, I also noticed a nice group of women chatting and smiling near us.  As it turns out, one of them was his cancer surviving wife Amy, who is also a class act.

Amy and Paul Hubka

 Later in the day the big news was that Tiger dropped out of the contest.  He quit.  Phil Mickelson did not make the cut and was sent home. God bless him for giving it his all and loosing.  With his wife by his side he stayed true to his sport, his fan and his integrity.  I love that.

When Billy and I walked away from the nationwide broadcasted tournament, I waived goodbye to Simon.  He did not recognize me at first.  I yelled his name again and I got that million dollar smile.

He, like Phil Mickelson is a true superstar.  After all, Simon is was just one of hundreds of volunteers who help showcase our City. 

Have a great week,

 

  

Copyright Shay Realtors 2015 All Rights Reserved

Broker's Corner 2.3.15

Less is Sometimes More

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors

Staging makes a home shine.

This past week our employees worked hard to organize and redesign our storage facility that houses our extensive collection of home staging materials.

Home staging is something we offer free of charge to our clients in order to help them get top dollar.

Talking with our outstanding home-stager, Jeanne Duncan for the last eight years we have learned, "less is more."  It is vitally important to add accent pieces while not cluttering a room or house. 

- 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 Gum Wall by Ray Shay

The Gum Wall 

By Ray Shay 

Troy and the Gum Wall

I thought our relatives were joking, when they first described the "Gum Wall."  I was familiar with the "Space Needle, Pike Place Market and of course the Seattle Seahawks," but the "Gum Wall?"  I wondered if it might be just an urban legend.  

This past weekend, our oldest son Troy and I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest. As luck would have it, there was a little football game being played in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday that the residents of this rainy town along the Washington coast had a personal interest in.

The 12th Man

I need to give props to Seattle. They have an amazing loyal and very vocal fan base. Their 12th man philosophy is a powerhouse of energy to support an exceptional football team.  

It was surprising to see so many signs of support for the "hawks." It was also interesting to note in the three days we travelled around Seattle, we did not see a single New England Patriots jersey.

Troy Shay

 It was a weekend of firsts.  Troy and I got to see the "Gum Wall" near Pikes Place Market in downtown Seattle.  It's not as gross as it sounds. I guess since about 1999, people have been sticking their gum to that wall, (click HERE for the history of the gum wall).

A few minutes prior to the loss of the Seattle Seahawks to the dreaded New England Patriots, Troy also witnessed his first ever bar fight when a woman near us decided to smash a beer bottle over a man's head.  It was not a pretty sight.

Troy with his cousin David, Uncle John  and Aunt Joan at Ye Olde Crumpet Shop

In years to come, Troy will likely look back on this weekend as a pretty amazing trip.  The bar incident may be the most interesting part of it to a fifteen year old while for the rest of us we all recall how we looked at each other in disbelief  on that final play call and said, "Are you kidding me?" 

Why have a beast, if your not going to release him on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots? 

The sound you likely heard in San Diego, was the air leaking out of the hopes of the people from this amazing emerald city as they tried valiantly to repeat as Super Bowl Champions. They had a good run. It's just a shame to loose to the Patriots...

Have a great week.  Go Chargers!

-Ray 

 
  

Copyright Shay Realtors 2015 All Rights Reserved