The ancient Chinese art of feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”) is over 3,000 years old, and has been known to help many homeowners sell their homes.
This method of arranging inner and outer environments so they support the possibility of all the good things in life encourages health, wealth, great relationships, career, and wisdom. Here are a few easy fixes to help prepare your home for sale the feng shui way.
Create a happy front door. According to feng shui principles, the easier it is for people to bring opportunities to your front door, the more you’ll have. Make the walk from the car to the front door a delightful experience. That means no thorny plants nearby, no sidewalk trippers, and no cobwebs to walk through.
Fix the leaks. This is, of course, basic common sense, but in feng shui leaking water is equivalent to leaking money. When a leak is fixed, the money stays.
For every room, a true function. When buyers see a treadmill in the bedroom, a computer on the kitchen counter, or a bike in the hallway, it may appear that the house doesn’t seem to have enough room for all the necessary functions. When staging a home, make sure every object in the room matches the room’s function.
Manage outdoor plants. Plants, especially dead ones, can block positive energy when physically touching the outside of the house. When the limbs of a tree are in direct contact, they may even transfer negative energy into the home
Place furniture in a commanding position. This means different things for different rooms, but the feng shui basic premise is that furniture should be arranged so the back and head are protected. Don’t have your back to a door or window when you’re on a couch, chair, or bed, and avoid directly facing a wall.
Keep the energy flowing. Doors and windows are the entry points for energy to enter or escape, so make sure all are in good working order to encourage positive energy flow. All doors (including closets) should open freely with nothing blocking their way.
Employ the power of red. Homes lacking a fire element may be more difficult to sell. This problem can be addressed with a quick fix of adding red or hot orange colors where appropriate. Pointy, triangular shapes are also considered fire elements in feng shui, so consider filling a vase with flowers like birds of paradise.