Magic Realtors Change the Lives of Children

Jim and Melania Saltarella, aka the Magic Realtors Team of Prudential Georgia Realty, do more than help fulfill the American Dream of homeownership. This team works overtime to make people happy-and not just by helping them find a home.

Realtors by day, a large part of the Saltarellas' lives is also devoted to putting on magic shows for children's organizations and at fundraisers. They perform throughout the United States and appear regularly at functions in the metro-Atlanta area.

"When I first started, I performed with a friend who was from out of state-we performed for the Cure, (a charitable organization for children's cancer)," says Jim Saltarella. "When he didn't return, I decided to continue performing for these organizations. It helps get the children's minds off their sadness."

Jim Saltarella's affinity for magic began when he was a teenager-he worked his way through college doing magic shows. Now, he and Melania perform family magic shows and corporate shows on weekends.

The Saltarellas' main goal is to put smiles on the faces of those children facing the hardship of cancer.

"Some of the kids have no hair, IVs and some are without limbs," explains Melania Saltarella. "These performances help them forget they are sick and make them happy. We enjoy the reaction we get from the audience."

Magic Realtors is also associated with The Sunshine Kids Foundation-an organization that provides exciting, positive group activities for children with cancer. "Once a year, we raise money through our office for the Sunshine Kids Foundation," says Melania Saltarella. "We put on four shows a day and charge per person. All the money that we make is donated to the foundation."

This month, the Saltarellas are performing "Sweets with Santa," a program that includes all of their past clients. "They bring their children to see Santa while we also entertain by putting on magic shows at our office," they explain. "It gets the kids excited because they remember what we've done and are always so glad to see us again."

In addition to their live performances, Jim Saltarella has also written several instructional books for magicians. Magical Heroes was an historical piece highlighting African- American magicians-the first book, in fact, on the history of African-American magicians. For this book, he was honored with the Society of American Magicians Literary Award. Furthermore, Scholastic Books did a spin-off version of this book for children, called Conjure Times.

Currently, he is writing a book for other Realtors about marketing residential real estate on the Internet.

Make no mistake, the Saltarellas share as much enthusiasm for real estate as they do for magic. Jim Saltarella is a relocation specialist with over 28 years of experience in real estate financing and marketing; Melania Saltarella is an associate broker with over 20 years experience in finance and real estate.

"It's about helping people start a new chapter in their lives," says Melania Saltarella. "I grew up here in Atlanta and know the area, so I love the state. Working with Prudential is huge to all of us."

-Anna Marinelli

Real Estate Hot Topics

Profit Center: Real Estate Tips, Training & Events

RISMedia Solutions

RISMedia on the Go

Today's Featured Listing