If you've ever walked into a house, as a potential buyer,
and said: "it just feels right," then you understand the basic
principles of Feng Shui. This ancient Chinese practice involves making
energetic and physical adjustments to a space in order to create balance
and flow. And, in the midst of a recession when selling your house or
condo may seem nearly impossible, it may just be the answer to your real
estate woes.
Set your intention
It
is necessary that everyone in the family is clearly intent on selling
the house, because lingering doubts can serve as an energy umbilical
cord, refusing to let go. Consider writing out your intentions: how much
you want the house to sell for, what your bottom-line requirements are,
and how quickly you want the house to move,
Fix it up
Apply a fresh coat of paint, re-caulk your bathrooms, clean your carpets and ensure all appliances are in working order.
De-clutter
According
to the principles of Feng Shui clutter robs a space of its Chi. "When
you walk into a teenager's room you may feel the chaotic energy, like
that of a pinball bouncing all over the place, That's the feeling a
cluttered house will give off." Consider renting a storage unit and get
rid of one-third of all your possessions. "Once you clear out excess
furniture and decor, you’ll be able to tone down the energy and allow
for clarity and focus,"
Focus on the front door
When potential buyers come to see your house, they'll probably enter through the front door. But, if you typically use the garage or even a side door, then the energy around the front entrance way is likely stale. "Positive Chi energy really begins with your front door,
When potential buyers come to see your house, they'll probably enter through the front door. But, if you typically use the garage or even a side door, then the energy around the front entrance way is likely stale. "Positive Chi energy really begins with your front door,
First,
get in the habit of using the front door while you’re trying to sell.
Then, oil the locks (to ensure nothing sticks) and apply a fresh coat of paint.
Ensure that the main foyer is as open and spacious as possible and
watch for sharp edges that may be pointing toward visitors as they
enter. "In terms of Feng Shui, the front door pertains to the buyer's
motivation to make a purchase and how welcome they feel upon entering
the home."
Wake up the energy
While you don’t want the energy of your house to flow too quickly (as happens in a messy or cluttered space) you also don't want it to feel stagnant. To wake-up the energy flow, begin by using every room in the house. "If a room sits empty, even if it’s clean and well-decorated, it will begin to feel stale on an energy level,"
While you don’t want the energy of your house to flow too quickly (as happens in a messy or cluttered space) you also don't want it to feel stagnant. To wake-up the energy flow, begin by using every room in the house. "If a room sits empty, even if it’s clean and well-decorated, it will begin to feel stale on an energy level,"
To
bring an unused room back to life consider opening a window, buying a
plant, moving your pet’s bed into that space, turning on a radio, or at
the very least, wandering in and out on a daily basis.
Clean the windows
According to Feng Shui, windows act as our eyes and provide focus and insight. To help your buyer feel clear about his or her intentions, wash your windows regularly, and keep window-coverings simple, highlighting the view as opposed to closing up the curtains.
According to Feng Shui, windows act as our eyes and provide focus and insight. To help your buyer feel clear about his or her intentions, wash your windows regularly, and keep window-coverings simple, highlighting the view as opposed to closing up the curtains.
Enhance the Energy Zones
"For the purpose of selling, there are four zones
- Wealth (back, left from the front door),
- Helpful People (right of the front door),
- Career (at the front door) and
- Fame (straight back, across from front door).
In
the Wealth zone consider placing trees or furniture made of wood. The
colors red, purple and green help to create feelings of abundance while
wind energy (think: mobile or chimes) enhances the space.
The Helpful People zone likes metal energy, modern clean lines and subdued, metallic colors. An easy way to bring these elements into a room would be through black and white photographs or a replica of the Eiffel Tower.
The Career zone likes water energy and the color yellow. Either install a water feature (such as a fountain) inside or outside the front of your house, or fill a large vase with water and fresh-cut yellow flowers. Even consider choosing artwork for the foyer that depicts water.
The
Fame zone loves fire energy so if you have a fireplace in that area, be
sure to light it when people come to see the house. Candles, extra
lighting and bright reds also help enhance this part of the house.
Finally act
as if the property has already sold. "Spend time in the neighborhood
you plan to move to, start cleaning out your closets, and think as
though the sale has already happened."
