The Midtown Atlanta Real Estate market is challenging these days. But then again, most every market is.

If you are a REALTOR, how do you know your market is challenged? Do you watch the local news? (Remember, real estate IS LOCAL!) Do you watch your local listing service daily? Maybe you have a listing that is not moving.

But, what if you are Seller? How do you know how the market is? Do you base it on the number of showings your home has? How quickly your home did (or did not) sell?

What's the difference between being a Community REALTOR and a REALTOR in your community? Well, some may disagree with me, but it means more than just living in the subdivision (or condo building) and farming that neighborhood. It means you are involved in your community. Involvement can come in a number of ways.

I'm involved in my community by serving on the Midtown Neighbors' Association Board of Directors. Now, this is no little association. How so you say? Well, Midtown Atlanta is made up single family homes, located in a historic part of town, and numerous condominium communities. This does not include the many rental properties and apartment communities we also have.

I also am the Chairman of the Membership Committee. So, it's my "job" as a volunteer to "work the streets" and talk to people about the benefits of being involved in their community. Now, it's different than your normal single family neighborhood in that many of the residents of the condo buildings look at their building as "their community." But there is much more to it than that. There are issues that happen OUTSIDE your building that effect your life, and your property values! WHAT? How say you?

This is where I draw the difference. I'm not a REALTOR in my community. I am a Community REALTOR. While I certainly work everyday to pay my bills and keep the roof over my head by selling real estate, I'm also involved in the daily issues that affect my neighborhood. Whether it's sidewalks and planting trees or calling the community together to discuss transportation topics, I know what's going on. When a potential Buyer or Seller asks me about Midtown Atlanta, I know more than just where the best "deal" is. I know what's going on.

Case in point. The Membership Committee has just completed a contact list of some 50 PLUS condominium community leaders. We are bringing them all together in the next few weeks to discuss issues and concerns particular to their "communities" as well as the community that is around their building. Thursday morning, I was at my desk at 6am, and worked till 10am, working on this upcoming meeting and contacting the Board Presidents and Property Managers of all these buildings. Lunch was the MultiFamily Outreach Committee Meeting. That evening was the MNA Board of Directors Meeting. That was a few hours in just one day working FOR my community.

One of those issues is a proposed Streetcar system that will run up and down Peachtree Street in Midtown and Downtown Atlanta. How cool is that, you think? Well, maybe, and maybe not. The Streetcar had somewhat died with budget woes from the City of Atlanta and lack of monies for construction. Now, it has been brought to life by potential funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. What's the problem you say? Future funding of the operation of the Streetcar will come from an increased property tax to those residents (and commerical buildings) that live within a block (or two) of the streetcar line.

Wow, we are having a tough time selling real estate in Midtown as it is....let's raise the property tax to the current and future owners and see how that helps sell things!

By being involved in issues like this, and a host of other things, I'm able to work with my clients (Buyers AND Sellers) and help them make informed decisions.

But more importantly, I'm involved in my community and it's future. That's a Community REALTOR.