People don't just buy homes in Atlanta, they also are investing in neighborhoods and subdivisions. In this competitive real estate market you want your home AND the entire subdivision to look it's best.

The homeowners association of the subdivision I live in in East Cobb rents two roll off dumpsters every spring and fall, and we get down to the business of making our neighborhood a desirable one to live in.

Here is how we do it:

Notification goes out via email informing homeowners well in advance of when the roll off dumpsters are arriving. Posters are then placed at the entrance of the subdivision a few days prior as a reminder.

Delivery of the dumpsters are scheduled for early Friday morning and the truck returns on Monday to pick them up. This allows everyone a few days to clean out their yards, closets and garages.

The rented roll off dumpsters are placed in the middle of our recreation area parking lot, giving plenty of room for cars and trucks to pull up close and unload.

Our rules are simple:

Anything containing hazardous materials should be disposed of safely and NOT in the roll off dumpster. That means no batteries, tires, car parts, paint, appliances, electronics, oil any other materials that either are toxic or may contain toxic materials.

Unless you can fit it in the dumpster, do not leave additional trash at the dumpster site. This was a big problem for us until our homeowners association decided to order an additional dumpster. Never underestimate how many roll off dumpsters to rent, people in the Atlanta Metro area accumulate lots of trash and our trees and shrubs need pruning all the time.

Clean up day is not only advantageous for the over all appeal of our subdivision it also gives us an opportunity to meet new neighbors and form a sense of community.