Create Living Energy to Attract Homebuyers Using Feng Shui
Here is an article I wrote in the Nov/Dec 2015 edition of Green Homebuilder Magazine…
Feng Shui is simpler than you think. The application of Feng Shui in a model home can help increase sales, even in non-Asian communities because it subconsciously gives prospective homebuyers a feeling of harmony and balance.
Have you ever walked into someone’s home and immediately felt so comfortable that you didn’t want to leave? Perhaps you stayed until late in the evening soaking in the ambiance and energy of the home and its residents. Simply put, that is the experience of good Feng Shui. Now, imagine if all of your model homes could create the same feeling—a feeling where prospective buyers want to move in right away.
We know that people buy out of emotion, not out of logic. It is our goal when building and marketing homes to drive the positive emotional triggers in prospective buyers. While everything may look good on paper, we ultimately want them to fall in love with the home they tour. People naturally feel harmonious and safe in a home when they subconsciously sense the right balance of cleanliness and living energy.
When I work with homebuilders, I try to emphasize the living energy of a home. Living energy gives you the impression that people actually live in the home. They care for it and it cares for them, so to speak. This living energy helps people feel recharged. In a model home, however, it can be difficult to achieve living energy since nobody actually lives there; this is where Feng Shui can be a good complement.
So how do we achieve Feng Shui’s living energy through interior design and staging? How do we ensure that a model home doesn’t feel stagnant and cold? Since we don’t have anybody living in model homes, we need to create a feeling of life—flowing and growing energy through the furnishings, features, lights, plants, and artwork we select.
Many of the model homes that I walk through can be quite frigid and unwelcoming. I have seen themes concentrated on dried flowers and twigs, sharp metal edges in furnishings and artwork, and even dead animals with heads mounted on the walls. These themes seem cold and unwelcoming, don’t they?
Now imagine the uplifting energy of a model home with a calm water feature as you enter the front door, a pot of aromatic fresh flowers in the hallway, the smell of fresh-baked cookies in the kitchen, and a soft couch with a crackling fireplace in the background.
Avoid textures that are rigid, rough, and particularly those that appear lackluster. Stay away from driftwood textures and keep cold metal objects dominating the model home. Instead, use soft patterns such as soft textures on walls, furniture, blankets, towels, and flooring that allow people to lower their guard and sink into the comfort of the home.
The master bedroom should tempt prospective buyers to curl up into the bed. Though a little counter-intuitive, avoid mirrors and ceiling fans in your model bedrooms. While mirrors may give an impression of more space, they can give a feeling of anxiousness as opposed to harmony and security. Likewise, ceiling fans may make logical sense in that they can reduce utility bills, but they subconsciously make people nervous that the ceiling fan will fall on them while they sleep.
Bathrooms are generally the most difficult areas to Feng Shui. They figuratively drain away uplifting energy. Bathrooms should be bright and colorful to create something that could feel like a fun space. To add to that feeling, try some fresh flowers and a small crystal chandelier.
As we know, the kitchen is the area where many women fall in love with a model home. While most of her needs should be addressed in the home design stage, interior design is where we make her feel like she can provide nourishment to her family. The kitchen should be bright and clean with a bowl full of (real) fresh fruit to provide positive energy.
Don’t forget about the kids. Create an interior design that engages children. Use features in the bonus room like a working foosball or small air hockey table that allows them to play and have some fun. Who can resist smiling when a child laughs with enthusiasm? Focus on creating a sustainable and harmonious energy within a model home with soft features that stay active even when nobody lives there. These small things give so much energy back in the home that a prospective buyer will feel welcomed—as though it was designed just for them.
Jessie Kim (Ms. Feng Shui) is a 3rd generation Feng Shui consultant who primarily works withhomebuilders. She can be reached at [email protected] or at www.MsFengShui.com.
Green Homebuilder, Nov/Dec 2015, Page 82
Originally posted at: http://greenhomebuildermag.com/2015/12/22/create-living-energy-to-attract-homebuyers-using-feng-shui/
2016 Year of the Fire Monkey
What will my year be like? What is my fortune for 2016? Will I find love, wealth and a better job in 2016?
2016 is the year of the Fire Monkey in the Chinese Zodiac, or Lunar Calendar. The Chinese New Year doesn’t officially begin until February 8th this year, but that shouldn’t keep us from getting prepared right now!
The elements for the Year of the Monkey are Metal and Water. Metal is connected to gold. Water is connected to wisdom and danger. Therefore, we will deal with more financial events in the year of the Monkey. The Monkey is a smart, clever, and attentive animal. If you want to have good return for your money investments, then you need to outsmart the Monkey.
Metal is also connected to Wind. That implies the status of events will be changing very quickly. Think twice before you leap when making changes for your finance, career, business relationship and love relationships.
2016, like any other year, will not be the same for everyone. Just look at your friends and family. Some had a great 2015, while it may have been awful for others. We need to break it down by when you were born – the more precise, the more descriptive the fortune.
Here is general snapshot of 2016 for each of the Chinese Zodiac signs. Please note that I can provide more detail if you give me your accurate birth date and time. If you are interested, please learn more about a Birth Date Numerology Analysis. You will get a month-by-month breakdown of your year specific to you.
These Chinese Zodiac forecasts are good little guidelines to see how you should be presenting yourself in 2016 and how you should arrange your home to make sure you are boosting the energy you need and protecting the areas that need protecting, like the Wealth Corner of your home.
Don’t know your zodiac sign? No problem. Just click here to find out your Chinese Zodiac Sign.
Born in the Year of the Rat: For people who are born in the year of the Rat, the year of the Monkey will be a good interactive year for you. If you are looking for a job, learning some new skills may be beneficial to you. So be sure to beef up your Knowledge Corner. If you are looking for a promotion, you may receive some support from your co-workers. Enhance your Helpful People Corner. You have opportunities to increase your wealth, and this is a good time for loving relationships, as well as social ones.
Born in the Year of the Ox: The Year of the Monkey can be good for Year of the Ox to build a good reputation. Year of the Monkey will create opportunities for career development. It’s time to put worries and concerns aside to accept your career challenges. Money opportunities are there, but you will need to work hard for them. This is a good year to build your social relationships, but be careful not to get into arguments with others. As long as you would stand out to prove your ability, the opportunity can bring you anywhere. Boost your Fame & Reputation Area and your Career Area.
Born in the Year of the Tiger: If you were born in the Year of the Tiger, you may face some bumps in your career. You will have to use your experience and knowledge to solve some problems. This is not a good year to make career changes. Try to stay away from getting into arguments with your loved ones. You will need to be patient with your career and the people who are around you. Work on your Love & Relationship Corner, as well as your Knowledge Corner.
Born in the Year of the Rabbit: The Year of the Monkey is a great business relationship year for people who are born in the Year of Rabbit. People will seek you out for career opportunities or business relationships, so make sure your Career Area is in order. Your reputation will help you to create money making opportunities. Boost your Fame & Reputation Area for even better results. Your relationships with others are strong and everything will seem like it’s coming your way. Overall, you’ll like your results from this year.
Born in the Year of the Dragon: Year of the Monkey gives great new opportunities for people who are born in the Year of the Dragon. This year will bring Dragons wealth and happiness. Your career opportunities should bring you good friendships, as well. This will be a good fortune year as well as for your loving relationships. Ensure everything is in good order in your Career Area, Wealth Corner and Love & Relationship Corner to maximize your returns this year.
Born in the Year of the Snake: For the Year of the Snake, the Year of the Monkey will become a good assistant to the Snake. You will have opportunities for career and money luck, as well as a good loving relationship. When opportunity knocks, make sure to answer it. Make the most of 2016 by boosting your Career Area, Wealth Corner and Love & Relationship Corner.
Born in the Year of the Horse: For people who are born in the Year of the Horse, your workload and responsibility will increase in 2016. That’s a good sign for your career development. Your income will grow in direct proportion to the efforts you put into your career. The main topics of your social networks will focus more on career and finance. The Year of the Monkey should bring good fortune to you. If you set yourself up right, fame and wealth are coming your way. Make sure you pay special attention to your Career Area, Wealth Corner and Fame & Reputation Area to maximize your year.
Born in the Year of the Sheep or Goat: For the Year of the Sheep, this is the time to encourage yourself to show your knowledge, experience and wisdom to others. Your talents and experience will win you respect and build your reputation. Respect your love partner and be more attentive to their feelings. Focus on your Knowledge Corner, Fame & Reputation Area and Love & Relationship Corner to enhance 2016 for you.
Born in the Year of the Monkey: For those actually born in the Year of the Monkey, being in the Year of the Monkey could keep you very busy without much reward. You have lots of competitors this year. You need to stay humble and keep a polite attitude. Try to stay away from making huge financial investments. Build good relationships with others by showing courtesy and humility. Focus on your Career Area and Love & Relationship Corner this year.
Born in the Year of the Rooster: For the Year of Rooster people, the Year of the Monkey means career changes. You will spend lots of time and energy on your job. Stay away from financial investments where others are pressuring your investment. You will feel the pressure from love relationships as well, so make sure you spend time with your close friends and family. The potential for unexpected pressure is out there, so be careful of your choice of words to make it a calm year for you. Just make sure you do what you need to do in your Career Area and Family Area. Before making any significant career moves, find out which months are best for you with a Birth Date Numerology Analysis.
Born in the Year of the Dog: If you were born in the Year of the Dog, you will find your career luck to be quite stable. You should work with a creative partner to assist you, if you need help with your projects. Just make sure to share your workload rather than put all of the pressure on your partner. If you are offered a promotion or new job offer, it may be a good time to accept the new career challenge. Make sure to save up your money when it comes in for some later rainy days. Work on your Career Area and Wealth Corner to maximize 2016 to your benefit.
Born in the Year of the Pig: For Year of the Pig people, your career luck is good this year. Your job may feel easy for you, but make sure to stay alert. Any negligence could ruin your reputation and career development. It may seem like there are lots of changes coming your way, so try to stay humble and level-headed. Your relationships with others are great. Those around you are caring and will give you the support you will need emotionally as long as you stay humble. Boost your Career Area, Fame & Reputation Area, and Helpful People Corner for a great 2016.
Use these Chinese Zodiac forecasts as a guideline to make sure that your home has good Feng Shui to support the energy it needs to boost or protect your energy.
Next Steps
Again, if you want a month-by-month detailed analysis of 2016 based on your birth date and time, please learn more about a Birth Date Numerology Analysis. This is especially important if you are looking to make big changes this year.
Contact me right now to inquire about a Feng Shui Consultation so I can help you add harmony and balance to your life. It will be the best investment you ever make. I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert that has helped thousands of people improve their lives through Feng Shui.
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