A Strong Community Can Raise More Than Your Property Value

Last Saturday I had the pleasure of working with dozens of locally owned businesses and a small army of volunteers at a benefit for a Paulding county citizen who is battling a grave illness. Renae Hudgens is the wife of Paulding County Sheriff’s Deputy Mitch Hudgens. The event was sponsored by many of the county’s small business owners in an effort to support one of our neighbors in need to raise money to offset Mrs. Hudgens’ mounting medical bills. After a long and yet rewarding day of live auctions, raffles, motorcycle stunts, bands, bingo and barbecue, I went to bed that evening with a renewed sense of community and a greater understanding of the value of service.

We often hear about what makes a strong community. Is it the businesses, the people or just the general culture? The pride of homeownership is certainly a contributing factor to community strength. The common sense logic dictates that if a person owns something and has worked to purchase it, they will take care for it. This same concept can be applied to the metaphoric “community.” If you invest in your family, friends and neighbors, you’re more likely to take care of them and nurture their growth.

I’ve heard in the past several years of the foreclosure crisis many people complain about what a blight vacant homes and overgrown yards have become in their neighborhoods. Many times I’ve met those complaints with suggestions to gather with a few of the neighbors and cut the grass as a group and do what they could to keep up a property that might be waiting for a new owner or for the current financial interest holder to sell the property. To simplify the concept, you can complain about a problem or you can help solve it.

Neighborhoods aren’t just a collection of individually owned properties. Neighborhoods are so much more, and if you’ve noticed, the root of the word is neighbor. An individual takes care of his or her property and one can assume the other neighbors do as well. What cements that overall sentiment is the idea that working together we can accomplish great things.

I’ve offered many suggestions over this past year on ways to improve your property value and attract potential buyers. I’ve warned of the many pitfalls and financial danger signs of which buyers should beware. Another suggestion I’d like to make is to turn off your electronic gadgets and log off Facebook in favor of stepping outside on a sunny fall afternoon. Invite your neighbors to join you for a neighborhood kickball game in the cul-de-sac. Or host a barbecue after a rewarding day of collectively helping out with small chores around your respective homes.

Property values aren’t just increased by adding stainless steel and granite to an aging kitchen. A strong community is achievable with limited effort and it begins at home.

For more information on the Renae Hudgens fund, visit www.facebook.com/DayForRenae.

iDeal Real Estate Professionals LLC is owned and operated by Brandon Bramlett and C. Mark Willix and is affiliated with Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta. For personalized service, visit us at www.idealrealestateprofessionals.com. You can also email us at info@idealrealestateprofessionals.com.