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Thailand here I come!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Zillow

Tomorrow I am off on vacation for 2 weeks to visit Thailand!  I can't wait.  We are spending a few days in Bangkok and then heading to Phuket for a week.  Thank you to all the AR's who have sent me pictures and tips to help prepare for the trip. 

Here are 10 things I don't want to think about while I am gone:

- Shoveling snow.

- The crappy winter weather we have had in Chicago this year. (On track to be the 4th snowiest ever)

- Blogging (Sorry, but I need a break).

- The Transfer Tax Situation going on in Chicago right now. (FYI $10.50 per $1000 purchase price to close on a house starting April 1!)

- Zestimates.

- How much money I am losing on my investment properties in FL right now. (I know, think long term...)

- Cold weather that makes pipes freeze and burst and the ensuing parade of contractors to fix a destroyed basement. (Thank goodnes for insurance)

- Yahooadvertising. (My husband works here and talks about it obsessively, we don't "google" in my house.)

- The Chicago Property Tax bill I just had to pay, which was an expensive fiasco (I'll spare you the details, but they messed up my bill, again). 

- The impending raise of the Chicago Sales Tax to 10.25%

After reading my list, maybe I just need a break from Chicago taxes... too bad that won't happen.

So 90 degree weather and humidity, here I come!  I was thinking how out of touch I will feel by not visiting AR every day.  But something tells me I will get over that pretty quick....

See you in 2 weeks!

Sara

 

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Kelly Sibilsky
Licensed Through Referral Connection, LTD. - Lake Zurich, IL
Have a great time. I had a client last year that took a month-long trip which included Thailand and they loved it!
Mar 12, 2008 01:35 AM
Wayne Miller
San Diego, CA
Oh my, yeah leave all that stuff behind and enjoy your much needed vacation. 
Mar 12, 2008 01:42 AM
Kim Sellers
Lake Arrowhead, CA Coldwell Banker - Lake Arrowhead, CA
Lake Arrowhead Realtor - BRE#01412099 - Lake Arrow
Have a great time.  Must be something about that place.  An agent in our office just left for there on Monday.
Mar 12, 2008 01:44 AM
Michael (Mike) Elliott
Nottingham Real Estate Group - Hamilton, NJ
Have a blast, and try to sleep during the flight!!  It's great to un-plug from the every day stuff we do.
Mar 12, 2008 01:51 AM
Diane Lombardino
Keller Williams Realty of Jupiter - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
I have a client who vacations there frequentlly.  They love it! I am so jealous........enjoy!
Mar 12, 2008 01:52 AM
Obeoman Glade Jones
www.obeo.com - Salt Lake City, UT

 

Sara!

Come to Wisconsin, and have a nice hot chocolate and schnapps-and lower taxes.

 ...enjoy your trip. Will you be sharing photos when you get back?

Steve

Mar 12, 2008 01:53 AM
Sara Bonert
Zillow - Atlanta, GA
Real Estate Internet Marketing
Thanks all.  I travel a lot for my job and it can be hard being away from home so much.  However, the upside is that I can use frequent flier miles to get great vacations!  We have had a lot of friends go there too recently.  I think it is just too expensive in Europe right now (with the dollar being so weak), but in Thailand the dollar goes so much further. 
Mar 12, 2008 01:56 AM
Marzena Melby
Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty - Richfield, MN
Realtor, Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate

Sara - Can you find a little spot in your suitcase for me? LOL

Have a great time!  And, come back safely. 

Mar 12, 2008 01:57 AM
Sara Bonert
Zillow - Atlanta, GA
Real Estate Internet Marketing
Steven- Did you see the article in the Tribune this weekend about how so many people are now driving to WI and MI to buy large purchases because of the tax rates.  I don't think you are too far off on that one!  I just might be there someday, witht the way things are heading here.
Mar 12, 2008 01:58 AM
Pam Joffe
Solaris Realty - Tampa, FL

Sara - Have a great time in Thailand. I have heard they really cater to the tourists there. Come back safely and take lots of pictures.

Mar 12, 2008 02:00 AM
JDo Doe
Barrington, RI

Sara - have a great time in Chicago and I appreciate all the information regarding Chicago - any slim to none chance I had of ever considering moving there just flew right out the window! J/K 

Hope you have clear skies and nice temps!

Mar 12, 2008 02:51 AM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals
Hi Sara-have fun...take lots of pic's.  Can't wait to hear about your trip.
Mar 12, 2008 09:45 AM
Patricia Beck
RE/MAX Properties, Inc., ABR, GRI, SRES - Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Springs Realty
Have a great time, I am jealous!! 
Mar 12, 2008 04:13 PM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor
Have a wonderful trip and take plenty of photos to share when you are back!!!!
Mar 15, 2008 07:24 AM
Brian Block
RE/MAX Allegiance, Managing Broker/Branch Vice President - McLean, VA
Northern Virginia & D.C. Real Estate
Sara, have a great time.  I'm glad that you were able to see my pictures and read my recommendations.  It really was one of the greatest vacations of a lifetime.  Thailand is amazing.  It's the flight over there and back that is crazy long!  No jetlag going over, but it took a week to recover coming home.  You'll love Phuket!
Mar 15, 2008 09:50 AM
Sara Bonert
Zillow - Atlanta, GA
Real Estate Internet Marketing
Hey all- I'm back.  Links to pics posted at http://activerain.com/blogsview/443989/I-m-Back-Pics 
Mar 28, 2008 09:49 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Sara, I figured you'd be back by now, but the question remains, "Why go back to Chicago?"

Many people from your part of the country visit our part (San Diego) and then return home. It mystifies me as to why they would do that. After "tasting" paradise why go back to Hell?

Now I'll go look at your pictures.

Bill Roberts

Mar 29, 2008 02:13 AM