Feng Shui for Real Estate Professionals

Feng Shuifor Real Estate Professionals
By Carol Schulenberg
Ballantyne Home Staging
May 6, 2010

What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui = Wind, Water
Referred to as “The Art of Placement”
The Art of creating spaces that are comfortable, attractive, and harmonious with their environments
Rooted In Chinese History. 2,000-5,000 years or more
As an organized philosophy earliest recorded writings appeared during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD)

Philosophy
The Earth is a living thing
Everything is alive
Everything is Interconnected
Everything is Changing
Traditional Feng Shui combines land forms, magnetic influences, 8 house, birth dates & flying stars
History & Background

Dragon Veins
Ancient Feng Shui masters studied slopes of mountain ranges & curves of rivers to identify ‘dragon veins’ of land.
Used to locate auspicious sites for emperors’ tombs believing that future generations would prosper
Certain configurations of hills, valleys & rivers considered fortunate, others unlucky.
Over time principals applied to house sites

Mountain “Armchair”
Ideal location is protected and secure
Mountain in back
Hills on each side with gentle slopes
Open front that overlooks a river, lake, ocean

Feng Shui Moves West
Today Feng Shui solutions most often sought
on existing structures
after we’ve moved into existing house
Traditional site selection & orientation nearly impossible:
Power lines, appliances, dense housing, cars parked on streets, steel structures.
Likely to get different compass readings throughout a house.

Feng Shui Today
Practiced in different levels and ways.
Goal is same: Assist in achieving success in all areas of life.
Black Hat Feng Shui (Contemporary,Western)
Uses philosophies of traditional F S to identify problem areas
Corrects or improves energy, flow, comfort, success
Takes a systematic look at whole house
Addresses most problematic areas
Uses items such as mirrors, crystals, and wind chimes in making adjustments

Chi is the Energy or Natural Life force present in all things
Energy flows like water – meandering, down hill, & some times as directed
Sha Chi is Negative or Harmful Energy
Blocked Energy
Constricted Energy
Improperly Directed Energy
Too much, too forceful Energy
Chi

Yin & Yang
Yin represents the passive principles in nature
Yang represents the active principals in nature
Yin
Female
Negative
Night
Intuitive
Darkness
Healing, calm colors
Green & Blue most dominant (pink, purple, black and white)
Yang
Male
Positive
Day
Logical
Light
Bold colors for positive reinforcement:
Red & Yellow most dominant (gold, beige, brown)

Yin & Yang
The black and white swooshes are connected
A dot of the opposite color in each section
Yin & Yang are opposite states of Chi and in constant motion
One cannot exist without the other
Yin & Yang Must Balance
Yin (black) is associated with femininity.
Yang (white) is associated with masculinity.

The Five Elements
Each Element Creates or Enhances Another

The Five Elements
Each Element Can Destroy Another

FIRE - PASSION AND HIGH ENERGY.
Red, Orange, Purple, Pink & Bold, Bright Yellows
EARTH - NOURISHMENT AND STABILITY.
Beige and various Earthy/Sand Colors, Light Yellows
METAL - CLARITY AND PRECISENESS.
Gray, White, Metallics (gold, bronze, silver, copper, platinum)
WATER - EASE, FRESHNESS AND ABUNDANCE.
Blue. Black
WOOD - HEALTH AND VITALITY
Dark Browns & Greens
Five Elements – Emotions & Color

Five Elements – Shapes & Materials
Fire
Candles, fires in fireplace/woodburners
Shape: Triangular
Earth
Clay, brick, ceramic, mud and cement. Think: terracotta objects, pottery, porcelain, crystals, rocks, stones, sculpture
Shape: Square or Rectangular
Metal
Metal artwork, picture frames, accessories
Shape: Round or Oval
Water
Fountains, fish tanks, ponds, swimming pools, mirrors
Shape: Wavy
Wood
Wood, plants, cardboard, paper, composite woods (bookcases, furniture)
Shape: Rectangular. Upright, Tall. Think Trees, Columns, Vertical Stripes

BaGua
Map of Energetic Influences
8 Areas of Characteristics
South
West
East
North

Does not use a Compass as Traditional FS to establish direction.
Uses Primary Entrance or Architecturally designed Front Door as Focus
“Mouth of Chi” = front door
Can Be Applied to the Lot
Can Be Applied to the Entire House
Can Be Applied to Individual Rooms
Standing toward door looking into house, place BaGua with North directly in front of you and South opposite to establish direction and areas
Use of BaGua in Contemporary Feng Shui

BaGua - Simplified
South
East
West
North

Discuss roles of “Mountains” and “Rivers”
Identify Natural and Manmade Landscapes
Top Problems You Will Encounter Selling Real Estate & their Feng Shui Solutions
Feng Shui in Real Estate

Remember the Armchair?
Features of Ideal Location
Protected in Back by “mountain”
Protected on Sides by “hills”
Note that the hill on left side of house is slightly higher than
the hill on the right.
Looking out over an open area (river, ocean, lake)

Natural – mountains, hills, rivers, lakes, oceans, trees, flowers, grass, rocks, boulders
Manmade – Buildings, fences, stone walls, lights, fountains, wind chimes, flags, gardens, yards, and “roads as rivers” in today’s developments.
Natural & Manmade Landscapes
In order to create the “armchair”, any of these can be incorporated into a landscape.

House sits high above the street on steep incline.
Problem: Chi may have a hard time reaching house.
Problem #1

Problem #1
Solutions to attract Chi:
Install a bright light (porch light or gas light) at top of driveway near house
Create Movement near house by:
Hanging wind chime near house
Placing a fountain near front door
Hanging a flag near front door

Problem #2
House sits on slope below street level
Problem: Vulnerable and Exposed
Chi flowing downhill is fast & will pass right by house
Difficult for good energy to enter the house

Problem #2
Solutions to Attract Chi to House, Slow It from Running Passed House
Place light at top of driveway
Accent lighting on house from ground up can lift Chi
Use urns with large evergreens if driveway edge is open to sloping backyard (or plant evergreens)
Place boulders where downward slope begins toward back yard
Plant large trees the height of roof beside house
Install a weathervane or rotating exhaust fan on rooftop
Install backyard fence (wood, not chain) to contain Chi

Problem #3
Townhome/Condo does not get enough natural light.
Problem: Appears dark, dull, dreary, lifeless

Not Enough Natural Light Solutions:
Enhance lighting - use the highest watt bulbs possible in each fixture
Paint the walls with bright, light colors (not bold)
If possible, paint dark wood cabinets, molding & trim in a light color.
Bring in colors with accent pieces and artwork – remember the 5 elements!
If possible - Replace heavy oversized furniture with scale appropriate furnishings.
If not possible, remove select pieces.
All blinds should be open for showings
Problem #3
CLEAN WINDOWS
Dirty windows = confusion or muddled thinking

Problem #4
There is a tree(s) or plant(s) directly in front of the door
Problem: Chi is totally blocked from entering home. Anything interfering with main entrance is bad Chi.

Solutions:
Remove trees, plants and:
Place live, potted plants on each side of door
Place a new, clean doormat in front of door
Make sure doorbell works, light fixtures, door hardware, and house numbers are polished & shiny.
Problem #4
Overhanging branches, cracked concrete, uneven pavers, unstable stairs, and loose handrails all restrict Chi

Problem #5
Stairwell directly in line with front door.
Problem: Chi rushes upstairs, leaving main floor without positive energy and conversely, Chi rushes down the stairs and back out the door.

Problem #5
Solutions to slow and disperse Chi
Hang a crystal chandelier in foyer
If possible, hang a mirror in foyer area on a side wall (not directly in line with door)
Place a live plant (or silk – never plastic or dried flowers) off to side at foot of steps if space permits
If staircase is open, place a plant underneath it.
If wall space permits, a print with reds would be helpful.
Place a basket at the bottom of stairs

Problem #6
House is on a cul-de-sac or dead end street
Problem: Lack of traffic & noise (although we may all think is good) also signals a lack of Chi.

Solutions to attract Chi to house:
A wind chime by the front door
A flagpole or banner in yard
A water fountain near the front door
A water garden in yard or flower beds
Problem #6
Likewise, houses at “T” intersections get
too much energy coming at the front door. Protect door with flowers and plants on
each side and hang a wind chime.

Problem #7
Furniture Arrangement blocking movement
Problem: If you can’t walk around the space easily, Chi is also having trouble

Problem #7
Solutions to Arrange Furniture for Better Flow
In addition to removing excess items, Feng Shui principals include:
Never put a sofa in front of stairwell (sha chi)
Never put a sofa directly in front of opening into
room
Place sofa in Command Position
Place bedroom in Master Suite in Command
position
Do not place dining chairs in front of entrance areas with their backs facing doors (sha chi)

Secret Arrows (aka Poison Arrows)
These are objects that point at or into your home and can be interior or exterior
Interior, the worse of these are points that extend into the room at you.
Problem #8

Problem #8
Solutions to soften “Poison Arrows”
Place Plants in front of them
Place decorative screens in front of
them
If exterior, shrubs should be planted.

Clutter is eating equity & keeping offers away
Clutter is both cause and symptom of stuck energy
More clutter = more sluggish the space feels.
Problem #9

Solutions to Removing Clutter
Basic F S principle: all clutter must be cleared
Personal space to be shared only with useful & beautiful items
Remove everything that does not have a purpose
Remaining items should be working for you
Take it one room at a time.
Donate (reuse) and Recycle.
Problem #9
Wear red while de-cluttering for positive energy

COLOR
Problem #10

Color Solutions
Feng Shui followers choose colors based on their own personal “Gua”, or by position of room in house (southeast = wealth= purple)
Warning: In reality, this doesn’t work well for wall colors while living in a house.
And Definitely Will Not Work When Selling A House.

Problem #10

Selecting Paint ColorsWhenSellingAProperty
Exterior Colors Should Match or Enhance the
House Type
Neutralize Interior -- doesn’t mean boring
3. 60/30/10 Rule in any area
4. No More Than 3-4 Colors in Entire House
Doesn’t mean you can’t have subtle shade changes in Colors.

Color MeaningsFor Accessories / Décor

General Feng Shui Tips
Kitchen Problems & Solutions
Cooking area & Sink on opposite walls = fire & water
competing.
Solution: Balance with wood elements of green plants on areas in between the two such as countertops or tables, place a green rug on floor and/or green dish towels on oven door
2. Cooking area faces a wall and has the “back” facing the
room or doorway.
Solution: FS recommends a mirror above cooking area. A more practical solution is reflective surface of decorative plate, tea kettle or large cooking pot (silver or copper).

A curved or winding walkway to front door is preferred
Tip: Landscaping can often accomplish effect

If you cannot move around the house freely, neither can the energy in the house.
Bathrooms must be clean & toilet lids kept down.
Lucky bamboo absorbs moisture, reduces stagnant air, stimulates energy
Any upright/upward-growing live plants are helpful in kitchens & bathrooms
Slanted Ceilings & Exposed Beams in Ceilings are considered oppressive
Avoid placing beds or seating areas directly underneath.

General Tips
Pay special attention to these areas:
Focal Point. Where do your eyes naturally go when you walk into a room?
Note: you can create a focal point where there is none by using A) accent color on a wall, B) vibrant artwork, C) unique or beautiful piece of furniture
Area with Command View of room

Thank You

Q&As
Q. How far away from door should staircase be to not be considered bad FS?
8-10’
My listing has a staircase against the wall as you open front door, where can I hang mirrors or artwork with red?
Suggest hanging 3 individual pieces (small mirrors or artwork) on staircase wall angled with stairs.
Is it bad to have your bed directly in front of the bedroom door?
Yes. FS considers this the “coffin position” and should be avoided if you wish to have a peaceful night’s sleep. Take another look at your bedroom from the doorway and locate the command position.
What do you do with a bathroom right off the kitchen?
Unfortunately, this is a horrible FS situation as is a bathroom in the center of the house. Solution is to hang a full length mirror on the outside of the bathroom door to deflect the Chi from being drained away. Keep toilet seat down. If this seems impractical to you, place artwork with reflective qualities on the door or use smaller, decorative mirrors to accomplish similar result.
What about a bedroom with vaulted, slanted ceilings? Where do we place the bed?
Find the command position – usually the tallest, solid wall. Avoid placing bedding and seating arrangements underneath a sloping ceiling. Use these areas for storage or dressers.
Is it bad to have a direct line of site from the front door out to the back door or window?
A. Yes. The energy will rush directly through the house. Solutions include using a live plant, a decorative screen, or perhaps a large piece of furniture such as an armoire against the wall in the back living area. This will slow down the chi and redirect it throughout the area.

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Feng Shui for Real Estate Professionals

by Carol Schulenberg on May 07, 2010

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Feng Shui for Real Estate Professionals — Presentation Transcript