#34 Community Outreach From Home


There are powerful connections between homeowners in a community and the degree to which those residents participate in the overall “fabric” of their community.  

There are the obvious connections of local taxations (property tax, sales tax, various usage taxes, etc.) which support services such as Law Enforcement, Fire Management and general maintenance of the community services and roadways, etc.  And, the stability and quality of such tax-funded services heavily influences the perceived overall “value” of the community.

The connected elements of a community actually drive the perceived “quality” of the community.  The degree to which its citizens participate within those elements is an important part of the process.

 As a homeowner, you selected the community (where you looked then bought) based on a number of factors.  You were looking for the level of quality that served your needs as well as your preferences.  Those needs and preferences necessarily vary among community members.
In your investigative process, you may have explored the downtown business district in search of the community’s personality!  You drove around with your residential realtor looking at the composition of the community, including the availability of retail and professional services.  Where relevant, you probably investigated the school system.  

Typical “support” entities of a community (differentiated from its government entities) are the glue that keeps a community connected.  Businesses connect through Chambers of Commerce and Merchants’ Associations.  School systems have School Boards and Parent Teacher Associations.  Church affiliations are important to many, and often connect to Human Services, Food programs, affordable Thrift stores and other charities.  Other special organizations for specific needs (temporary or ongoing) speak to a community that is flexible and “steps up” to emergencies and natural disasters. 

Of course, there is more.  For specific neighborhoods, there may be Home Owner Associations and organizations such as Neighborhood Watch.  Older communities may participate in a “Main Street” program, primarily devoted to preserving the historical aspects of the core and maintaining old and valuable structures.

These opportunities (and others) present residential property owners with dozens of ways to participate in the connective glue that makes a community what it is – and how it is perceived from the outside.  Some believe that it is to some degree a responsibility of all community members to participate in some way with the organizations that bind various aspects of their city or town together.

Personal participation in your community – make no mistake – is directly connected to property values and community quality!  It makes no sense to sit back and possibly make negative judgments (or fear a drop or stagnation in property values) while not presenting your ideas and concerns to a relevant group.   Relevant affiliations place you in the mainstream for both factual information and opportunities to influence.   Social clubs such as Lions, Rotary, Elks and Alumni groups plus Industry affiliations all make up an important aspect of Community.

A community’s Investment Value and Quality do not evolve – or maintain – by accident or magic!   Your residential property value is proportionately in your hands and in the hands of your neighbors, the other community neighborhoods, the projects embraced by community organizations and the influence all of those can present to local government!

When you decided you wanted to buy a home, then connected with your mortgage lender, then moved through the approval process, then shopped for a property and achieved your goal, you also bought into your whole community.  With all of that come many opportunities to support the quality of living and stable property value of your community!

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