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Feng
Shui Your Home to Help it Sell Quicker
by: Elaine VonCannon
In
a 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.
I
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 block. 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.
Contributing
Author
Elaine
VonCannon is a REALTOR with RE/Max Capital in
Williamsburg, Virginia, and she manages investment
property as part of her business. Elaine is also
an Accredited Buyer's Representative as well as
a Senior Real Estate Specialist. She has helped
numerous clients invest in and make money on property
in Southeastern Virginia. vonmor1@cox.net
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Feng
Shui Home
