The influence of Feng Shui on house prices
Whilst we’ve all heard of the ancient design philosophy of Feng Shui, it has become a popular practice for Asians and non-Asians alike as Chinese influence on cultures worldwide has grown. What you may not be aware of is the profound impact Feng Shui has on the real estate market here in Sydney. The reality is that Feng Shui, grounded in millennia of study, is a driver of home selection and investment properties for Chinese-Australians and Chinese nationals, a demographic that has significant influence in Sydney’s eastern suburbs property market.
The home buying mindset and preferences of this demographic are often influenced by the philosophy and if you’re not across it as a seller, you may be excluding a powerful buyer demographic from your sale campaign. After all, the discipline assesses the potential of any property to attract health, wealth and happiness.
The principles of Feng Shui dictate that building design and spatial arrangement produce a harmonious flow of energy. For some buyers, the application of Feng Shui is as essential as other traditional characteristics buyers look for in a home such as 4 bedrooms, or ocean views.
Some Feng Shui practices are simple to implement. For example, Feng Shui expert David Cho says it’s a good idea to soften hard surfaces like marble floors with area rugs. Some are going to be costly, for example the directions of stairs and doors are also crucial, but fixing these may require structural changes to your building.
We are fortunate to have Spencer Tsang in our team specialising in liaison with our Chinese buyers, local and abroad. We have also taken the time to understand more about Feng Shui in order to provide an additional resource for our clients during the home buying and selling process. Here are some of the key practical points we’d like to share with you.
Location.
There is not a lot you can do about where your home is located but you should be aware that if your property is at the end of a dead end street you’re going to struggle to attract buyers who subscribe to Feng Shui. “The quality of energy on a cul-de-sac is often chaotic and restless or low and stagnant, depending on the particular details of the street and the exterior feng shui of its houses. A cul-de-sac formation generates continuous energy recycling, or a back-and-forth bouncing of the same energy among houses,” says Feng Shui consultant Rodika Tchi.
You’re in a spot of bother too if you are positioned directly at the centre of a T-Intersection, as this is considered a “poison arrow” aimed at your house. Chi energy rushes too strongly from the road to the house which creates negative energy. East facing doors are good. The East is where the sun rises symbolising a bright future. If you’re either side of the centre, your home will attract intense energy, and it is said these houses have higher resale frequencies.
Similarly, a sloped backyard is unattractive to Feng Shui believers. It denotes a lack of support and makes saving difficult. Employment, love and health will be impacted so practitioners suggest building up the sloped area or planting trees, building a wall or erecting a fence to stop the escape of energy.
Entry.
The entry to your home creates the first impression for buyers, so this should be clean and clutter free. Ideally the front door should not be in direct alignment with the back door. Feng Shui expert Rodika Tchi explains that “When this occurs, all the good feng shui energy coming through the main door easily flows through and escapes through the back door without circulating and nourishing your home.” If your front and back door are in line you can redirect the energy and slow it down by placing a vase with some fresh flowers on a table between the two doors.
Quick feng shui upgrades to the front door can make a difference. If the front door faces south, paint it red. North, paint it black or blue. Natural timbers are best for east and south-easterly facing homes. Yellow is for west and northwest homes, and white is the ideal colour for north east and south west facing front doors.
Stairs.
Stairs pose numerous Feng Shui issues. It’s not the staircase per se that is the problem, but the redistribution of energy it maneuvers. The worst positioning of a staircase is directly facing the front door.
Kitchen.
An organised and clutter-free kitchen is key, with colors that complement each other. The kitchen stove should never be below the master bedroom. Take your knife block off the benchtop and replace it with a bowl of fresh fruit.
Bedrooms.
The careful arrangement of space and design in the bedroom is important, the ceiling should have a consistent height with no slopes and if your bed faces the door, it is a good idea to reposition it. Place the bed against a solid wall with space on either side and avoid having mirrors facing the bed.
Bathrooms.
When it comes to bathrooms, Feng Shui devotees avoid homes where the bathroom is in the centre of the residence. It should have a full length mirror and ideally, the toilet should be located separate to the bathroom.
Numerology.
The number 8 is considered very good luck. In fact, we often see offers and bids rounded out to the closest $888,888! Meanwhile, halve that lucky number and we’re looking at association with death in Chinese culture. If you’re number 4 on your street, or unit 4 in the block, Feng Shui believers may avoid your home. Developers who are conscious of this sometimes opt to build without a fourth unit.
The Goldman Bros. top ten simple steps to creating good Feng Shui during your sale:
- Remove any visible knives
- Display a bowl of fresh fruit
- House plants are a smart touch
- Brighten up your entry and declutter it
- Clean your windows
- Use vibrant and light colour palettes
- Remove obstacles in the pathway
- Don’t have blocked doors
- Maximise natural light
- Keep under-bed areas clear of clutter
Feng Shui has an effect on the real estate industry, so knowing more about it allows us to successfully help many clients sell their homes faster and for a premium price. We would be happy to share our knowledge with you in relation to your own property.
The Goldman Bros. Selling with style. Selling with skill. Selling with Sotheby’s.
- Posted by Sydney Sotheby's Realty North
- On June 5, 2020
- 0 Comment
