Feng Shui

How’s your house’s Feng Shui?

Until a couple of years ago, I would have told you that Feng Shui is probably something that is on the menu at a Chinese place between Egg Foo Young and Moo Goo Gia Pan. Feng Shui (pronounced "fung schwee" and meaning literally "wind water") is part of an ancient Chinese philosophy of nature. Feng Shui is often identified as a form of geomancy, divination by geographic features, but it is mainly concerned with understanding the relationships between nature and ourselves so that we might live in harmony within our environment.

Feng Shui is related to the very sensible notion that living with rather than against nature benefits both humans and our environment. It is also related to the equally sensible notion that our lives are deeply affected by our physical and emotional environs. If we surround ourselves with symbols of death, contempt and indifference toward life and nature, with noise and various forms of ugliness, we will corrupt ourselves in the process. If we surround ourselves with beauty, gentleness, kindness, sympathy, music and various expressions of the sweetness of life, we ennoble ourselves as well as our environment.

Alleged masters of Feng Shui, those who understand the five elements and the two energies such as chi and sha (hard energy, the opposite of chi), are supposed to be able to detect metaphysical energies and give directions for their optimal flow. Feng Shui has become a kind of architectural acupuncture: wizards and magi insert themselves into buildings or landscapes and use their metaphysical sensors to detect the flow of good and bad "energy." These masters for hire declare where bathrooms should go, which way doorways should face, where mirrors should hang, which room needs green plants and which one needs red flowers, which direction the head of the bed should face, etc. In short, Feng Shui has become an aspect of interior decorating in the Western world and alleged masters of Feng Shui now hire themselves out for hefty sums to tell people such as Donald Trump which way his doors and other things should hang. Feng Shui has also become another New Age "energy" scam with arrays of metaphysical products from paper cutouts of half moons and planets, to octagonal mirrors to wooden flutes, offered for sale to help you improve your health, maximize your potential and guarantee fulfillment of some fortune cookie philosophy.

5 Feng Shui deal breakers for buyers
Buyers who believe in the principles of Feng Shui will avoid homes with the following characteristics:
· A home with the bathroom located in the central tai chi area, the area of the home where all of the energies are in perfect balance
· A home with a spiral staircase in the center
· A home with a staircase directly in front of the front door
· Property located at a “T” or “Y” junction road with heavy traffic
· An excessively oddly shaped home

Sellers should be aware of the following:
· Pay special attention to the front door, which is considered the “mouth of chi” and one of the most powerful aspects of the entire property. It’s also the first impressions that potential buyers will have of how well the owners have maintained the property. Make sure that this is a clean, clutter free area with all lighting working. Focus also on the path leading to the front door to make that appealing too.
· Chi energy can be flushed away wherever there are drains in the home. To keep the good energy in, always put the toilet seats down and close the doors to the bathrooms. [A can of air spray isn’t bad either]
· The master bed should be in a place of honor, power and protection, which is farthest from and facing toward the entryway of the room. It’s even better if you can place the bed diagonally in the farthest corner. Paint the room in colors that promote serenity, relaxation and romance, such as soft tones of green, blue and lavender.
· The dining room symbolizes the energy and power of family togetherness. Make sure the table is clear and uncluttered during showings. Use an attractive tablecloth to enhance the look of the table whole softening sharp corners.
· The windows are considered to be the eyes of the home. Getting the windows professionally cleaned will make the home sparkle and ensure that the view will be optimally displayed.
Whether you believe in Feng Shui or not, these aren’t bad tips to make your home more appealing.