Broker's Corner - Local Housing Market Trends

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _    The local housing market is still increasing in value, but it feels like a large train that is definately slowing down.  It is especially true for homes which are over a million dollars in value. Where is the market headed?  There are several causes for the slow down. In my opinion some of the main factors are increased inventory, the substantial gains we already achieved over the last few years, stagnant employment in San Diego County and there are simply only so many buyers for all these homes hitting the market. It will be interesting over the next six months as local builders place so many new homes on the market.  Standard Pacific is a very reputable company that builds excellent homes which they stand behind. For worry free buying they are a good play. I just hope the Fed's don't let interest rates rise.  If that happens so many buyers will be removed from equation because they cannot qualify.  That will cause such drag on the home ownership train that it could slow or even stop. If the train feels like it is on a hill it could also slide back down.  Don't hesitate to call me or stop by one of our three locations if you have any questions.  Ray Shay 858-449-4970 This information is copyrighted and cannot be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of Shay Realtors Inc.

Yesterday by Ray Shay

Yesterday

By Ray Shay

9.30.14

Paul McCartney

 It was really strange standing among the throngs of people at Petco Park Sunday night listening as Paul McCartney entertained Theresa and I and over 42,000 other people.  The place was sold out and our seats were at a pretty cool location, yet it was almost an event we passed on.

Like most parents when the invitation came in our first tendency was to say, "no." Too much hassle, money, and juggling our kids on a school night.  I'm glad we decided to see Sir Paul who as a former Beatle has a

Petco Park

special place in so many people's hearts.

As he walked on to the stage he opened up with "Eight Days a Week."

After the first song, he stopped, took his guitar off and walked to the front of the stage.  He said, "I want to take a moment and drink this in."  I wondered how many wild crowds had cheered him in his lifetime and yet he still stopped to enjoy the moment.  Maybe that is one way life changes a person.  You take a moment to appreciate what you have before it is all gone.

Ray, Theresa, Jimmy and Kathy DiMatteo with SDPD Chief of Police Shelly Zimmerman

 

The crowds, the cool San Diego night and Paul Mcartney were all amazing. When we walked into Petco Park we were fortunate to see San Diego Police Chief Shelly Zimmerman. It was the perfect place for our top cop to greet so many visitors to our fine city.   Props to her Command Staff and Special Events personnel who pulled off another flawless event. 

The best part of the show for me was when Paul McCartney sang  "Yesterday." Like many of the older people in the 

Stage at Petco Park

stadium, I could reflect back to another place and time. A time when I was so young and my two older sisters and three brothers were all into the Beatles music. 

It also reminded me of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Cub Band, Abbey Road, and seeing black vinyl records spinning on a record player in our small home in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The best way I could ever think of wrapping up seeing a legendary rocker like Paul McCartney is to include some of the lyrics of a song he and John Lennon wrote together.  I will never forget hearing
Sir Paul sing solo near the end of the show.  A show that we almost didn't make.

   

Have a great week, 

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Broker's Corner by Ray Shay

Consumer Confidence Increases

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _

  

A recent survey showed that about 90% of Americans feel that buying a home is an important part of achieving the American Dream. 

These same respondents indicated that about 64% of them felt owning a home was an attainable goal. This is a significant increase from last year when just over 40% of people surveyed believed it was possible.  

This dynamic has resulted in more homes hitting the market as values continue to increase, but at a slower pace than prior years.   Another interesting aspect of the local market is the large number of

new homes which will be hitting the market over the next 18 to 24 months.   

If you have any questions on what is going to be built, just give me a call. It is really a large and diverse line of properties hitting the market soon.

Ray Shay 858-449-4970

9.23.14

    

Page Skipper by Ray Shay

Page Skipper

By Ray Shay

9.23.14

I walked into our ten year old son Ryan's bedroom this past week and found him lying on the ground next to his bed.  He was resting his head on the carpet as he watched a show on his laptop computer.  Since he was so quiet, I knew he did not feel well.

Something about your child being sick just tugs at your heart in a certain way that is hard to describe. It reminded me of what my mom would say, "Raymond if I could take your place, I would."  I now understand.  I promised Ryan he would soon feel better as I ran my fingers through his thick, dark hair.

Ryan Shay

Then an idea popped into my head. "Hey Ryan, how about I get one of your old favorite books and I will read it to you in bed?  You know, like
we used to do when you were younger." Ryan didn't even raise his head from the carpet as he said In a very clear and articulate voice, "No dad, that's weird."


I thought it would make him feel better, but In a way, I think it was more for me than him.  Reading a book to our children at bedtime was always a family ritual. At this moment, I once again realized how fast he was growing up.  I was just trying to put the breaks on time.

I think moms are much better at reading to their children than dads. I recall laying down with our sons after they had been fed, bathed, and were dressed in their pajamas.  They would pick out a book or two and

bring it over for me to read.  I would encourage books like, "To the Moon and Back" or anything short or with lots of pictures.  It is not easy to admit, and I am not sure if the the statue of limitations are up, but I have a confession.  I was a bonafide, "Page Skipper." 

That is correct.  I was a dirty scoundrel.  After frequently working long hours as a San Diego Police Officer and doing all the other duties of a dad, I think I was often more tired than our children. To this day, I don't know how Theresa and so many other moms can do it.  They put their children to bed and read ever single word in the book to them.  How is that possible?
 
Sometimes our kids would catch on and yell out while holding their favorite teddy bear, "Dad you skipped a page."  Actually, it was probably more than one page.
 
What our kids did not realize it was a terrifying race against the clock. Laying next to them in their bed I was like a tranquilized dog. One more page longer and I would be saying words that did not make any sense as I fell asleep.
 
More than once, I would wake up to them calling to Theresa, "Mom, Mom, dad fell asleep again." I would sometimes rally, while others nights Theresa would take have to just take over as the closer. The whole experience brings a smile to my face as I realize how fast those years flew by.

A few years back ...

I once again realized we cannot turn the hands on the clock back. In about eight short years the front door to our home will close and there will no longer be little boys or young men to laugh with, or to run my fingers through there hair as they lay quietly by their bed.
 
It makes me recommit to working less, finding new ways to connect with our children.  I may have been guilty of being a "page skipper" but I don't want to miss another second of time as we strive to make the most of our precious time together.
 

Have a great week, 

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

Broker's Corner - Knowing the Housing Market by Ray Shay

Know the Housing Market 

Ray Shay Broker/Owner Shay Realtors _

I can't tell you how many times I wrote about it, talked about it, and reminded our clients, friends and strangers, that the market was ripe for buying.  Many of them listened and they saw their investments increase substantially over the last two years.

Another reminder of the improving housing market came out this week when Realty Trac confirmed that the number of residential properties repossessed by lenders by way of foreclosure in August declined on a year-over-year basis for the 21st consecutive month.

When your thinking of buying or selling a home speak with a full time Realtor that is especially familiar with the local market.  It is worth the phone call.


9.16.14

"Jimmy, Where's My Chicken Wings?" by Ray Shay

"Jimmy, Where's My Chicken Wings?"

By Ray Shay

9.16.14

Jimmy Mok

I feel lucky to say, "I love my father in law, Jimmy." I feel like he is my own little Chinese Teddy Bear.  Sometimes, I just want to pick him up and give him a big fat squeeze.  Like any teddy bear companion, we have been hanging around each other for a long time.

I still recall that sunny fall morning in Parsippany, New Jersey, when Jimmy shook my hand for the very first time.  He smiled and said, "how you?"  I have learned he frequently leaves out the "are" but regularly

follows up with his trademark laugh.  

Jimmy and Helen

Jimmy's family is everything to him. Witnessing his love for Theresa's mom, "Helen" was something to see.  They were married for over fifty years and he cared for her the best he possibly could as she suffered and ultimately passed from ALS.  It gave me a private peek into his soul. Jimmy is a good man.
Jimmy would frequently suggest to Helen and all of us that he wanted to open a Chinese restaurant. Helen would of course smile, laugh and then shake her head side to side and say, "no." We all knew each time Jimmy tried to run that idea up the flagpole it would never reach the top.    


In the past  few weeks, Jimmy's dream to own a Chinese restaurant became a reality. He and his business partner Joanna Huang opened Quality Taste Chinese restaurant at 9225 Mira Mesa Blvd, suite #110.  It is located at the southwest corner of Black Mtn. Road and Mira Mesa Blvd, behind Wells Fargo Bank. 

Quality Taste Restaurant

Another secret about Jimmy is he loves fried chicken wings.   Their restaurant has awesome Chinese food, all types of "Hot Pots" (including vegetarian) that you can cook right at your own table and of course, chicken wings.

Let me tell you how over the next few weeks any of our eWeekly readers can get a FREE order of fried chicken wings served with a smile, a laugh, and maybe even a "how you?"

  

.

Chicken Wings!

The secret is simple.  You don't need to print out a coupon or sign up for an email VIP program.  After you order your entree at lunch or dinner look around for Jimmy or Joanna.  Then extend your arms to each side with the your palms up like the server forgot something and holler out nice and loud, "Jimmy, where's my chicken wings?"
 
It will be so funny. I wish I could be there to hear so many of you hollering it out and other patrons staring at you.  Don't be shy.  It will get Jimmy laughing and the sound of his laughter is like music from above.
 
What you will see is a broad smile from Jimmy.   He will then jump up from his sitting position (near the Karl Strauss keg) and will shuffle to the door of the kitchen and yell, "another order of wings."  It will likely be in Chinese.  There will be no charge for the chicken wings.  They are on the house as they say
 

Jimmy and Joanna

Quality Taste Restaurant has delicious food.  One of my favorites is the spicy red fish plate from Northern China.  He also has our local brewery, Karl Strauss beer on tap.  Something about the hot food and cold beer is a great combination.
 
When Jimmy brings the chicken wings to your table be sure to ask, "how you Jimmy?" You will probably get the "how you" back with that smile and again the laugh.  I really don't mind sharing my little teddy bear with our two thousand or so readers.

 It's been his life long dream and at seventy-nine years old it finally happened.  Hey, more power to you Jimmy.  I hope at seventy-nine I keep pursuing my dreams.     

Somewhere in my heart, I feel if someone can share a dream that adds to our sense of community it will help enrich all of us. So, when it cools down a bit, get on down and tell Jimmy, "Where's my chicken wings?"  
    
  

Have a great week,

  

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014 

The Phone Call by Ray Shay

The Phone Call 

By Ray Shay

9.9.14

Friday Night Lights at DNHS

I love watching youth sports.  I'm always up for just about any sport including baseball, soccer, basketball, volleyball or a football game.  I especially enjoy Friday Night Lights at Del Norte High School.  It is something about seeing the kids turning into adults, the spirit of competition, the dance team, the cheerleaders and of course the parents.

 

Even if one of our three sons did not attend DNHS, Theresa and I would still probably attend some of the games. The National Football League could learn something from high school football. The problem with the NFL is their football train has way too many stops.

I feel like the minute the train starts rolling we have to stop for commercials courtesy of, "TV timeouts." Honestly, how many beer, car or Viagra commercials can a person watch in a single evening? If I was the National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell, I would simply cut the number of commercials in half and double their price.  At the end of the day, we would have happier fans, much better football, and the NFL would still make a truckload of money.  

Unfortunately, the problem Theresa and I ran into Friday night outside of Del Norte High School had nothing to do with high school football. Sure, most of the fans thought the play calling was questionable and they didn't like getting skunked by our rival Rancho Bernardo High School.  But that  

is all part of high school sports, take the bad with the good as they say and hope the coach and team learns from it. 

What really ruined our Friday night started as a dark cloud of acrid smoke drifting into DNHS parking lot.  It was coming from two adults smoking dope as they sat on the wall of Fairbanks Commons affordable housing, which is located directly across the street from Del Norte High School.   
 

As we approached the two adults I bit my tongue but the words "Are you kidding me?" leaked out under my breath. Both of the criminals looked at us when I said it.    

I knew there were about to be hundreds of high school kids walking past these two geniuses. I slowed my pace and started to confront them and then I made the decision to keep walking.  

Something I learned long time ago is that if someone is not in imminent danger and your not on duty, you avoid direct confrontation.  Approaching people under the influence of drugs or alcohol has a unique way of very quickly spiraling out of control.  You just call the experts.  You call the San Diego Police Department or the Sheriff's Department. 

Before the phone calls an emails come rolling in, let me make something very clear.  This is not a cheap shot at affordable housing.  If this would have been BIll Gates multi-million dollar estate home next door to a high school, I would have done exactly the same thing.  There should be an atmosphere of zero tolerance for drugs at that location or anywhere near where our kids live, play or attend school.

After giving the two adults a well practiced glare, I escorted Theresa to our car parked nearby.  I felt like I was back at work scanning the area for rival drug dealers, or people walking up to buy drugs.  All this while I can still hear John Kennedy announcing our athletes battling on the DNHS "Nest" Home Field.  I admit it. I was not a happy camper.   

I called the SDPD and reported what I had seen with a full description of both persons and asked if the police could please arrive before the game got out.  I understand in the big scheme of things that smoking marijuana is way down on the list of crimes in progress.

I also know with modern technology every phone call and every complaint is logged and gives law enforcement officers a tool to combat criminal behavior.  My phone call and description gave a police officer the reason they need to walk up and confront the two young men.
 
I guess my point is a reminder to all of us that if you see criminal behavior just make the phone call.  As a beat cop I was often too busy to respond to the call at the time it was broadcast, but it is uncanny how often that description would be used later in the night to confront and arrest countless criminals.
I know your busy, but just make the phone call.  You can remain anonymous if you like, but failing to call the police is tacit approval saying that type of criminal behavior is acceptable in our community.  We all work too hard to live here.   
Take the time to throw the yellow flag in the air and stop the behavior.  After all, we love our Friday Night Lights at Del Norte High School and we will be back.

 

Have a great week,

  

  

Copyrighted - All Rights Reserved - Shay Realtors 2014