Feng Shui is a powerful tool to differentiate you from the competition. In fact, approximately 20 percent of all buyers and sellers in Beverly Hills now invite a Feng Shui expert in to assist them in either preparing their home for sale or selecting the right home to purchase. While some people may consider this superstitious, thousands swear by the results.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese belief system based upon earth signs to determine areas prone to flooding or subject to damaging winds. Feng Shui strives to create balance in both our personal and professional environments by balancing the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Feng Shui experts also consider how “Chi” (energy) moves in a home based on a variety of factors.
*Good exposure to sunlight is highly desirable. If trees and shrubs are overgrown, trim them away from the structure. Any plants that block the walkway to the front door should also be trimmed.
*Are the trees and shrubs around the home healthy? Healthy plants and trees are part of the constructive or building part of the Feng Shui cycle that attracts abundance and positive outcomes. In contrast, dead landscaping represents the destructive cycle that creates poor luck and poor outcomes. Remove dead plants and replace them with healthy ones.
*If there has been a negative event in the property (divorce, business loss, serious illness), Feng Shui experts believe you can dissipate the negative energy by smudging (burning sage and waving the smoke through each corner of each room in the house.) If burning sage makes you feel uncomfortable, you can purchase liquid smudge instead.
*Water represents money. Drippy faucets and leaky toilets represent money dripping away. Have these items repaired. Feng Shui experts also recommend putting the lid down on the toilet and closing bathroom doors. In contrast, fountains or waterfalls that flow toward a property represent money flowing toward you. Placing a fountain near the front door is particularly auspicious in terms of attracting wealth. However, water must be kept fresh at all times.
*If the stairwell is visible from the front door, Feng Shui experts believe money can run away easily. To prevent the loss of money, place a beautiful area rug in the entry. If there is room, a small table with fresh cut flowers in the center of the rug also works. Another strategy is to hang a crystal chandelier and to place live plants adjacent to the stairs. In each case, this breaks up the energy so the money with stay inside the home.
*Feng Shui experts believe the front door to the property is the mouth through which riches flow. To attract more riches, make the entry to the home as appealing as possible. A curved walkway to the front door is very favorable. You can attract qualified buyers (i.e., prosperity and fortune) by planting or by placing pots of colorful flowers by the front door. Nothing on the front porch should block the main door nor should there be anything sharp, straight, or angular aimed at the front door. The doorbell should work (you cannot attract abundance if you don’t know the bell is ringing). Make sure the doormat is in excellent condition as well. It is especially important to choose one that says, “Welcome!” In addition, place symbols of affluence such as coins, bells, or wind chimes (with hollow rods in groups of six, seven, or eight) near the front door.
*Green and red attract money. Green is the color of money and red is associated with abundance and good luck. A simple way to add more green is with live plants. Place coins in a red sack to attract more money. To determine where to place the coins, stand in the doorway to the room. The far left hand corner is where to place the coins.
*Feng Shui experts believe “poison arrows” may keep properties from selling. Poison arrows occur when there is too much energy directed to a single spot. For example, a house located on a “T” intersection or at the end of a cul-de-sac will have too much energy flowing toward it. If you own this type of property, they can disperse the energy by building a fence or planting a hedge in the front of the property.
*For those of you with a home office, red and green are very favorable. If possible, position the desk so the person faces the door when seated. Again, adding live plants, a fountain, and coins in a red sack placed in the far left corner will increase the flow of abundance.
*Pay attention to intention. To make Feng Shui work for you, examine your intention. Feng Shui relies on the energy that supports our actions. Giving back is an important way to attract more and better things to us.
Whether you believe in Feng Shui or not, using the principles above will enhance the appearance of your property and make it more attractive to buyers.
