Feng Shui Your Home to Help it Sell Quicker
In today's competitive real estate market, home sellers are
looking for the edge to make their home sell fast. Feng Shui,
or the ancient Chinese art of placement, is one answer. Jaan
Ferree, a Feng Shui consultant based in Asheville, North Carolina,
explains. that Feng Shui is “having the intention to
pay attention” to your environment.
We recently asked Jaan for a few Feng Shui
pointers to help the home seller find a buyer faster. Here
are some of her Feng Shui ideas for the home seller.
House Number
Jaan Ferree suggests taking a closer look
at the house number and position on the building. As a buyer
approaches the home is it easy to tell he or she is at the
right place? Is the number of the home visible?
Front Door and Approach
Make sure the entrance to your home is easily
discernable. If the entrance is not the front door, is it
obvious to the visitor where they enter? Is the walk from
the car to the door safe, well defined, well lit, and attractive?
Ferree says the front porch, door, and threshold
should be welcoming and have a "greeter". Use a
pot of geraniums, other flowers or plants, a statue, or an
attractive welcome mat. She also suggests a beautiful color
on the door, wind chime, basket hung on the wall beside the
door, plaque beside the door or other plants or objects which
will "lift the chi" (energy) of the person approaching
the entrance to the home. Finally, a clear bell or doorknocker,
to let someone know you are there, is always helpful.
Trim the Bushes
Make certain shrubbery and landscaping is
not overgrown. If it is, the energy may have the effect of
"pushing the person away" who is approaching the
entrance to the home. The best plants to line the edge of
the walkway have soft round corners. Avoid sharp pointed plants
or objects.
Interior Entranceway
Once you enter the home the space inside
the door should be clear of clutter and obstructions. If there
is a wall directly across from the entrance Ferree says that
placing a mirror or art on the wall will lift the chi tremendously.
This Feng Shui treatment makes sense because it prevents your
visitor from walking into a blank wall. It also makes something
visible that will immediately lift the spirits of your guest.
Ferree suggests paying close attention to
the “subtle environmental clues” in the interior
of the home to make sure that you are not pushing someone
away with the objects in the space, or making them have to
"get smaller" to walk through the space.
Safety First
In addition to aiding in lifting the energy
of a space, Feng Shui can also reflect simple common sense.
Safety, both real and perceived, is extremely important. Ferree
recommends, “Pick up any items strewn about the yard
and make sure all walkways and stepping stones and steps are
level. Good lighting is essential, too. It must b e easy to
walk through the interior and exterior of the house without
obstruction.”
Avoid Clutter
According to Ferree, “clutter will
keep a house from selling for many different reasons, one
of which says the person does not attend to the upkeep of
the home.” Clutter collects stagnant energy and brings
the feeling of the space down.
The two kinds of clutter are passive and
active. Examples of active clutter are scattered children's
toys in a living room, or brushes, paints and accessories
in an artist’s studio. Passive clutter is piles of things
which have not been put away, thrown away or recycled.
Positive Energy Keeps Guests Happy
Ferree has some ideas on how to invite positive
"chi" (energy) into your home. Spread smells, such
as vanilla, cinnamon, or citrus throughout the home. Consider
the lighting, colors and color arrangements and clarity of
a space. Work on design enhancements that welcome visitors
to your space and invite them to stay a while.
Ferree has one piece of final advice that
applies to many situations. “Your home tells a story
about you” she says, “People read the story every
time they visit your space. Be aware of that and put your
best self forward.” more
Feng Shui tips >>
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