This article is excerpted from an essay by Alexandra Shaw, who has been certified as a Feng Shui consultant by the Feng Shui Institute of America. She may be contacted at 888-551-4869.
In recent years Feng Shui has become popular in America and experts are called in to balance and harmonize the flow of energy in existing spaces and future ones as well. Balancing Ch’i (Cosmic Breath) attracts the best possible good fortune from the abundance of the Infinite Universe to improve life path and destiny, dramatically creating fresh good fortune around you.
Alexandra Shaw, a Feng Shui practitioner, has adapted the art to home sales and here are her tips:
1. Front door entrance is crucial to sell a house. If at all possible paint the entry door red, even a dark scarlet or burgundy, to bring attention and real estate sales “fame” to you. If not, touch up all paint to freshen the approach to the potential sale. If there are two doors of entry, place a large plant on the side that is not used for entering, to lead visitors to the correct door.
2. Adding plants (silk or real) along the driveway and sidewalk will invite the eye towards the entrance and build anticipation of what lies within. Using red and yellow flowers brings attention to the area and also distracts from things you don’t want noticed, advises the National Garden Bureau. Also, houses sell faster with yellow trim or yellow flowers in front. The yellow is the color of prosperity and the red defines recognition and fame. Choosing pink soothes people. It is the Feng Shui color for relationships. Place plants on both sides of the driveway or walk, alternating right, then left positions, spacing 5-6 feet apart. This will allow the eye to enjoy the pathway to the doorway, as it lifts their spirits, putting them in the mood to enjoy the rest of the house.
3. Clear all dead plants, trees, stumps or dried flowers away. Dead things drain all the life out of our energy and keeps negativity around us. Clean up, refresh, repot, brighten up your life and you will see tremendous differences. Add lush plants for new growth.
4. If at all possible, place a doublewide bench for Compassion to your visitors on the immediate right hand side of the porch or entry area. Even placement of a single chair, table or stool in the area immediately to the right of the sidewalk, entering the home, will show your compassion for others. Activating your compassion area will bring empowerment to you.
5. Add a wind chime near the front door to bring melodious sounds to the entry. This brings fresh Ch’i to bless and stirs up new energies for all. Buy only chimes with hollow tubes, allowing the energy to rise through the tubes to its highest level.
6. Place a mirror gazing ball near the center of the front yard to reflect good energy for your career. Gold for prosperity, blue for wisdom, red for fame and recognition, or silver for compassion and travel. Any garden decorations that create some movement of energy - even a pinwheel or whirligig - will stir up new vibrations. Look around and see what you can move and change things for the best possible positive energy.
7. A freestanding mailbox post may be wrapped with a garland of silk flowers. The cost is minimal but the effect lasts year round to lift others spirits when they see beautiful blooming flowers or plants greeting them at the curb. If you want to really see some changes, use a garland of grapes, dripping from the stems, either purple for empowerment or golden for prosperity.
8. Prosperity markers draw instant notice to your doorway. Brass or gold plated doorknobs, bells, knockers, kick plates, mailboxes, address or nameplates, and dramatic entry light(s) exude a feeling of wealth, prosperity and a sense of well-being. This is the message you want to send to potential buyers, that they too can experience grandeur as they enter this home.
9. The first smell of your home as a prospective buyer enters can also make or break the sale. Walking into a home or office where the smells are fresh and create a receptive mood change us immediately. Use aromatherapy, candles, incense, or any other means to set a mood.
10. Fix all broken things or get rid of them. They only take up space and are “not working” in your life.