Broker's Cornerby Ray Shay

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 jump in interest rates last month really spooked some buyers. Though it felt like a 25 percent increase in loan rates, the average rate it is still clearly below 5 percent, which is an incredibly low percentage. Some adjustable jumbo loans are still in the mid 3 percent range.

Speaking to other agents, brokers and escrow companies countywide this slow down is not in just one price point. It will be interesting to see how the housing numbers for September come out. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call Theresa or myself. All inquiries are kept in the strictest confidence. 

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.

Gold & Blue - 187Written by Ray Shay

Editor's note: Gold & 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.

I briefly rubbed our middle son Raymond's short hair and head as I prepared to drop him off at Oak Valley Middle School. With traffic inching along and the early morning sun rising from the east, I could see the car in front of me and its rear license plate. Despite being miles from Logan Heights and years from being a street cop, the last three numbers of the car's license plate, 187, caught my eye.

The numbers made me feel a sense of caution. The way a person might react if they saw a rattlesnake near a trail on an early morning hike. It is always smarter to keep your distance from the snake and move on. I tried not to think about those three numbers and how often I had written them down on a police report or attended court proceedings relating to them.  

I really don't know why, but I found myself asking Raymond if he knew what those three numbers meant. With his skateboard and helmet resting on his backpack by his feet, he replied, "187, dad?" I told him, "yes."  He said, "No, what does it mean?" He then chuckled under his breath. A kind of funny chuckle as he probably wondered where I was going with this weird discussion and the those three numbers. 

   

There are likely three types of people that immediately know what the numbers 187 might mean. You would know right away If you were ever a cop, a deputy district attorney, or just hung out with a group of criminals who sagged their pants, threw up gang signs, and kept loaded handguns in their waistbands.

As a cop, you always knew each time you were at a 187 scene. First of all it was quickly surrounded by our trademark yellow crime scene tape. You also knew it was the type of crime scene where everyone had to document their presence in a written report. No sightseeing here. Anything or anyone you see, touch or talk to, is in your report. And that report frequently has a court subpoena attached to it.

  

If you were a street gang member you may have spray painted those three numbers on a wall of a house as a sign that you were claiming credit for the evil deed you did, or you're going to retaliate against a rival street gang member, or maybe you thought you could intimidate the police by writing a cop's name on the wall followed by 187. It is so funny. If you did such a thing your actions had the absolute opposite effect. You only inspired us to work harder to stop you and your violent ways. 

As police officers we faced the danger of the initial crime and the pursuit of the criminals responsible. We also comforted family members as they arrived ashen-faced, looking for their child, brother or sister at the crime scenes, the hospital or the police station. Messy and traumatic work, but it's over pretty quick. At the end of shift, you did your best to leave your gun belt and those memories in your locker. 

 

I think the deputy district attorneys and criminal investigators always had the hardest jobs when it came to those three deadly numbers.   

They would spend countless hours investigating every possible piece of evidence, while still dealing with the family members left behind as their silent tears splashed quietly on the hard conference room tables. They tried not to listen to their muffled sobs months and sometimes even years after the crimes.   

The best outcome anyone could ever hope for is the jury and the judge to say that one word: "guilty." Not very often, but sometimes, they would hear the judge say two words. It may be due to a legal technicality or simply a faulty memory. Even worse, the investigator may look at their phone when it would ring on the anniversary of the crime and realize they have to tell a mother or father yet again, they still don't have any news on who the persons were that ended their child's life.   

 

As traffic cleared and Raymond jumped out of our car, he smiled. He then began riding his skateboard to class. I am so pleased he had no idea that 187 are the numbers in the California Penal code that identify a crime as murder.  

Raymond will learn more about those things and others when he is an adult. In the meantime, he should ride his skateboard (with his helmet strap snapped firmly under his chin) and feel the fresh morning air, thinking about soccer, his classmates and other things so important to 12-year-old boys. 

Like the hiker on the mountain trail, I brushed off my question to Raymond as a confused father in rush hour traffic. I guess I just decided to take the long way around and avoid that dirty old snake. There will be plenty of time in the future to explain to Raymond what those three numbers can mean.  

Enjoy your week. If you want to be inspired by an amazing local family, and the challenges they faced together with their son, be sure to click on the video link in this week's Mole Report. 

 

 

 

Ray and Theresa Shay   

  

2013 - All Rights Reserved

Shrek & The ListWritten by Ray Shay

 

I think everyone who has kids probably has the same type of list I carry around. My list keeps getting longer and longer. I am afraid if the list ever fell out of my pocket it would be like a roll of toilet paper and would quickly unravel as it rolled down the street. It is such a long squeezable list, it may even reach Tijuana.

My big list is not what some people call a "bucket list." This particular list seems so much more important.  After all, it is not so much a list about me or what I want to experience before I die, but rather a list of adventures that Theresa and I want to enjoy with our children. While they are still children. 

I think it is important we try to complete the list before Troy, Raymond and Ryan grow too old and are burdened with the responsibilities of adulthood. By that time, Theresa and I will be lucky if our boys will have enough time to give us a phone call or maybe even a quick text. They will be on their own treadmills of responsibility.  

What's on the list is really not a secret. It is just all the different things we want them to see before they are grown men. Hopefully by exposing them to more varied and substantive experiences they will become better men. The holy

Brandon Papineau and Marissa Clopine   star in Shrek the Musical.

grail in my life. That and being a better husband are both up there. I am still a work in progress. 

My big list includes more camping, taking the boys to a real rock concert, volunteering with them at a homeless shelter and somewhere on that long list was attending a live musical.    

That was, until last Thursday night at Kit Carson Park Amphitheater, when our family met Shrek. A gifted actor named Brandon Papineau and his fellow cast members.   

I didn't even know there was a amphitheater despite going to over a hundred soccer games and practices in the same park. Our family thought it was an amazing evening. When it was done, I thought I could actually cross musicals off of my list of things to do, or so I thought.    

After seeing the musical Shrek and it's accompanying live ensemble, it made me wonder why getting to a musical took us so long. Our family saw amazing young actors of all ages who could really sing, act and draw us in. The ultimate compliment. 

Marissa and Amanda  Clopine  (Donkey and Little Fiona).

In addition to live music from a very talented group they had great acting, singing and stage performances by young people of all ages including several from 4S Ranch: Casey Love, Ella Levinson and Brandon Clopine. Tyler Papineau and Andrew Downs ran spotlight. Rachel Downs also helped with tech duties.

Our family talked all the way home about what the boys found interesting and enjoyable.  

Later in the evening our youngest son, Ryan, summed up his perspective as I tucked him into bed and turned off his light. As he held on to his teddy bear, I asked him how he would rate the evening. He replied, "Dad, I would give it a B minus." There was a brief pause, and then he said, "Can we go see the next one, Ferris Bueller's Day Off?"  

Of course it made me smile realizing how the cast, the artistic team, volunteers, donors, stage crew and the board of directors of Broadway Theater Arts Academy had touched the imagination of our children. (Side note: they are looking for children of all ages for their next show!)

I promised Ryan we would go. Just one more thing to put back on my growing list. As I closed his door and walked into our bedroom, I wondered why it took me so long to get our boys to a darn musical. Yep, still learning...

Enjoy your week!

 

Ray and Theresa Shay   

  

2013 - All Rights Reserved

Broker's Corner

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.

U.S. consumer confidence dipped slightly in July, and the orders for durable goods dipped as well. Activity has been lighter recently. It is likely due to school starting, the unseasonably hot and muggy weather and the increase in mortgage rates, which seem to continue to squeeze some of the buyers.

We are still seeing cash buyers and higher-end buyers continuing to purchase homes. Some people see the increasing rental rates as a reason to purchase income property. If you want to know the value of your home give me a call. 

We will have eight area listings open this Sunday, September 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Click on this PDF for more details and come visit some terrific homes!

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.

Mick Jagger for Mayor?Written by Ray Shay

I have always liked Mick Jagger. He is a poet, a rocker, but I think what I like most about him is that he is, "all in."  No one ever doubts Mick's commitment to his craft or his desire to do his best. He couldn't sing or dance like that if his heart wasn't in it.  

I have always been impressed by Mick and other people who, regardless of their selected profession, are willing to take a stand, set a goal and then get after it. Success in life is largely based on a person's focus and their attitude.

Mick has it, Jerry Sanders had it, but unfortunately Bob Filner never did. Bob reached up high while on the carousel of politics and caught the treasured brass ring, only to let it fall from his grasp and land in the mud. I guess he was focused on other things. 

We need the right leader to pick that ring up and run with it. He or she should realize it is an honor to be the mayor of the eighth largest city in the United States of America. With only 90 days (at the most) before we vote, time is of the essence. Our city services

City of San Diego Acting Mayor Todd Gloria

have grounded to a halt because so many businesses, citizens and investors cannot rely on our current city government to make sound or timely decisions.  

I personally hope Acting Mayor Todd Gloria does not choose to run for the office that he will have the keys to, beginning at 5:00 p.m. this Friday. I don't believe we need someone busy running a campaign, while trying to put out fires and kick start the city of San Diego.

The British rocker, Mick Jagger came to my mind this week as I was dropping off one of our boys at soccer practice.  Sometimes no matter how much they plead, I won't change the radio station. It's one of the many great things about being a dad. 

As I stared at Ryan's beautiful eyes, Mick was summing up the situation perfectly as he sang, "You can't always get what you want.. but you just might find...you get what you need!"   

I wonder if Mick Jagger may just be a left-leaning Republican? Maybe he would support private businesses, open competition, smaller government, while still letting people make their own decisions on the rest of their lives. If true, he could have a pretty good shot. 

So even if Mick Jagger does not fill out an application to be the next mayor of San Diego, please still be sure to vote. It is one of our greatest powers. Unfortunately, if you live in 4S Ranch you are likely ineligible, since you are not a resident of the city of San Diego.  

Enjoy your week and rock on, 

  

  

  

Ray and Theresa Shay   

  

2013 - All Rights Reserved

 

CupcakeWritten by Ray Shay

  

As I walked out of our home in Del Sur, I saw the red and blue emergency light bar and the unique profile of a marked SDPD unit rolling towards me. It is kind of funny police officers both past and present, don't really call police cars, "police cars."  That is, unless they are testifying in court, and they don't want to confuse the jury.   

The vernacular for a police car varies greatly depending upon what the vehicle looks like, what it is used for, and what is it capable of accomplishing. As an example our SWAT, Special Equipment Van is called an "SEV."  

I laugh about it now, but many years ago I felt a sense of chagrin when I made the mistake of calling the SEV a "SWAT Van" in the presence of SDPD Police Lieutenant Jerry Sanders. Yep, the same guy who ultimately became our chief of police and the mayor of San Diego. Jerry, using his trademark gentle smile said, "Officer Shay ... that is called the Special Equipment Van." Jerry always made me laugh and though I never told him, I always wanted to be more like him. 

The SWAT SEV is loaded with lots of surprises for bad people, including barricaded and armed criminals, hostage takers and others, but it is a story I will never tell, because you want to keep those surprises...surprises.

What most people who are not in the business of preserving the peace might find interesting is cops and especially SWAT tactical officers have nicknames. I suspect it is a bit like Naval aviators. 

Your police nickname is a call sign or name that refers specifically to you, but you never get to pick your own. It is the name sometimes whispered to you while other times it may be yelled out like when it is your time to buy the round at, "choir practice."  Either way, better or worse, the name is all yours. Even if you get tagged with the name, "Cupcake." 

When I saw the face behind the steering wheel of the marked unit, I broke into a broad smile. It was the friendly face of veteran SDPD Patrol Sergeant Mike Flanagan. I yelled out his nickname as he pulled into our driveway. After a brief conversation, I asked if our boys and my nephew, Christopher Mok, could take a picture with him (see right). After all anyone who has been in uniform for over 38 years will always be my hero. Mike has achieved what very few people ever have. 

I asked the boys what they thought Mike  Flanagan's nickname was. The consensus was, "Big Mike." I told them Mike's nickname is actually, "Cupcake." A nickname he picked up when another officer named Mike Wahl saw him eating a cupcake as he walked up after a Copper Bowl football practice. Mike and I were both defensive backs on the San Diego Police Department football team. Mike had great skills but the name "Cupcake" stuck.  

SDPD Sergeant    Mike Flanagan

Mike was always strong, big and fast, so it really is a true term of endearment. I then thought of how many years we were both on tactical operations together and how often myself and many other SWAT Commanders, rookies and fellow SWAT officers relied on Mike's calm and professional demeanor. 

Twenty-eight years on the SWAT team and over 38 years as a police officer, makes Mike one of the most senior and experienced officers on SDPD.  That is a very long time to carry both the physical and mental responsibilities of both assignments.

When I asked Mike how he survived through all those tough years, especially when we lost so many officers, he replied, "Only by the grace of God. So many of those tragedies occurred when I was off work or in another part of the city. I was fortunate."

  

Sergeant Mike Flanagan will be retiring in about six months, but both he and his nickname will not be forgotten.  

Good luck "Cupcake" and thanks for allowing me to share both your nickname and your incredible commitment with a few thousand of the people you have helped to keep safe for so many years. That's pretty sweet! 

Have a great week!

  

  

   

  

Ray and Theresa Shay   

  

2013 - All Rights Reserved

 

Summer FadesWritten by Ray Shay

I have never slept in a farmhouse or even been to a real farm. I really want to go someday and drive a tractor where the soft soil is dark and rich. Take our children into a small town cafe where everyone immediately knows we're strangers.   

  

I suspect a small town farmer might be sitting near us, who recently looked out over his or her crops with both a sense of pride and frustration. Pride at the bountiful harvest and frustration that some of the fields did not flourish. I wonder if some farmers think, "I could have done better." 

  

Summer Fades

We live in Del Sur, which is an amazing place, but our family would starve even if I planted every square inch of our small yard. Theresa and I are not growing wheat, corn, sweet peas or even broccoli. Instead, we are raising our three boys who are quickly turning into men. I am really just a husband and father who at the end of summer thinks, I could have done better. 

 

When summer began I looked at our wish list with great optimism. We tilled the soil and planted so much and kept looking at our fields. We had some beautiful plants rise up from the dirt like our trip to Europe, New Jersey and or our last minute dashes to the beaches of Del Mar or just hanging out on our living room couch eating popcorn. No homework, just time together as a family. 

  

But, I also think about how I never got our boys on a camping trip, riding a raft on a challenging river or even an overnight to Big Bear. The list of what we failed to accomplish seems so darn long. I guess sometimes it is easier to look at the plants that did not grow than those that did.   

  

Now that the growing season is coming to an end, I will probably take those bags of seeds that did not grow and place them in a safe place until spring.  When the snow melts, we will look for just the right place to plant those seeds, so they can bloom in the summer of 2014. It seem so far away.  

 

I know we only have so many summers with our children, but I will let you in on a secret. One seed we are keeping in our basement and ready for planting is a trip to Idaho or Montana.   

When we see a farmer on a tractor, our kids know I will yet again embarrass them because I will be pulling our rental car to the side of the road and asking the hard-working farmer to help me fulfill a dream. After all that is what life is all about.  

Enjoy your week!  

  

  

   

  

Ray and Theresa Shay   

  

2013 - All Rights Reserved