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Home Buying Checklist for Good Feng Shui
When the real estate market was hot, it was difficult to even get an offer in on a home, let alone be picky enough to win a bidding war for a home with good Feng Shui. With interest rates and home inventory on the rise, it’s no longer a great time to sell a home. But that’s a good thing if you’re looking to buy a home with great Feng Shui.
When I work with home builders, I advise against site plans that include cul-de-sacs, T-intersections, overhead power lines, and other Feng Shui no-no’s, especially in Feng Shui aware areas. If home builders don’t take my advice, they are often forced to significantly reduce pricing to unload their homes with bad Feng Shui. But there are several homes already on the market and we need to know which ones have good Feng Shui and which ones have bad Feng Shui.
If you’re not a believer in Feng Shui, that’s fine. Please note, however, that most of the Feng Shui suggestions I provide also have more modern and practical reasoning. Besides, if you ever intend to eventually sell a home with good Feng Shui, it’s likely to sell faster and for more money than homes with bad Feng Shui. You like money, don’t you?
The following checklist will help if you’re looking to buy or build a home and you don’t want to compromise on harmony and balance. However, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of all that is good or bad in Feng Shui. Avoiding homes that don’t keep with the checklist below is your best option because such home issues are difficult to remedy. If I didn’t list an issue, that probably means it is relatively easy to cure later during an individualized Feng Shui consultation. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Home Location
⬜ No Corner Lot: While a corner lot home may come with a little extra land, they also provide bad Feng Shui. An overwhelming amount of energy inundates corner lot homes, so they should be avoided at all costs. From a practical sense, corner lot homes also have more disturbances like car and foot traffic. More info…
⬜ No T-Intersection: Overwhelming energy is also an issue for homes at a T-intersection, especially those at the top of the T. You’ll notice also that such homes often have concrete blocks along their sidewalks because sometimes cars end up mistakenly driving right into the house. Avoid homes at a T-intersection. More info…
⬜ No Cul-de-sac: The idea of neighborhood kids playing street hockey at the cul-de-sac can be an enticing reason to buy a home on one. But if you want to avoid potential money and health issues, I will also suggest you avoid buying a home on a cul-de-sac. On a cul-de-sac, energy sweeps through like a vortex while headlights from cars turning in front of the home cause a frequent disturbance. More info…
⬜ No EMF Radiation: If you’ve read my blog post on electromagnetic fields (EMF), you’ll know that we should probably avoid sources of electrical energy. Anecdotally, I have found that they disturb sleep. The jury is still out on several studies that may prove more harmful effects of EMF. Have you ever stood under major power lines and heard zapping or humming sounds that they emit? Yeah, I would just completely avoid homes near, and especially under, major power lines, cell towers, and other objects that radiate significant electromagnet fields that you can measure at the house. More info…
⬜ No Cliffs: You should not have a home at the top of a cliff, whether it is at the front or back of your home. While the view might be amazing, you just won’t get the positive energy you need. It would be better to have a home that backs up to a hill that is higher than your home, as this helps capture the flow of any energy headed your way. Just make sure there aren’t any loose rocks up there!
⬜ No Large Bodies of Water: Avoid large bodies of water behind your home as this will douse the Fame & Reputation Area of the home. Having a view of the lake or ocean in front of your home, however, is just fine because it supports your Career Area. Just don’t be right along the shoreline because that energy can be overwhelming.
⬜ Not Below Street Level: The vertical location of the base of the home compared to the street level is rather important in Feng Shui. The best scenario is if the bottom of the home is a little higher than the street level. We want to avoid homes that are lower than the street level because career opportunities will pass over you and because those homes are more prone to flooding.
⬜ Front Door Visible From Street: The front door should be clearly visible from the street so that positive energy can flow to your home. Objects like large trees would block visibility from the street and would therefore block energy coming into your home. If there is a small tree, see if there are any rules that would prevent you from moving it. More info…
⬜ Front Door Doesn’t Face Neighbors’ Doors: To avoid confrontations with your neighbors, make sure that your front door does not directly face any of your neighbors’ doors.
Home Shape Aligns with Bagua
⬜ Rectangular Shape: I only suggest homes that have a top-down view of the home that is generally rectangular in shape so that it can match with the Feng Shui Bagua. Otherwise, I would avoid purchasing it. More info…
⬜ Front Door Location: Make sure that the front door is aligned with the outside edge of the rectangular outline of the home. Avoid homes where the front door is recessed in much. Any parts of the home hanging out beyond the door will be outside of your Bagua.
⬜ No Missing Sections: If there is a significant section of the rectangle missing (L-shape or C-shape, for instance), you are likely missing an important section of the home’s Bagua, like your Prosperity & Wealth Corner or your Love & Relationships Corner.
⬜ No Protrusions: If a section of the home is protruding out (other than just the garage), that area will be outside of your Bagua. Anyone in that space would feel left out and any designated functions in those spaces, such as a home office, may be ineffective.
⬜ No Open-Air Courtyards: If you have an open-air courtyard in the middle of your home, you are likely missing an important section of the home’s Bagua for your Health Area.
Inside the Home
⬜ No Front & Back Door Alignment: Try to avoid homes where the front door directly lines up with the back door in your sightline because your energy will just flow right out the back. More info…
⬜ Front Door Energy Flow: If you don’t want your energy to go down the drain, you do not want to see a bathroom or the kitchen when you open your front door. When you open your door to walk in the home, you should not immediately face stairs, another door, or a wall because you want energy to flow more freely through the downstairs areas.
⬜ Bedrooms in Back: In general, all bedrooms should be in the back part of the house. This is especially important for small children in your family. If you want calm, rested children, having them see the street from their bedrooms might be counterproductive. More info…
⬜ No Spiral or Grand Staircases: Consider a spiral staircase to be like a corkscrew, harmfully digging into a particular section of the Bagua in the home or office. Because of their often-circular nature, any energy that flows up the left side of a grand staircase just goes right back down the right staircase, completely bypassing much of the second floor of the home. More info…
Next Steps
⬜ Make an Offer: Timing is sometimes of the essence when making an offer on a house, but that doesn’t mean you should rush through a purchase without doing your due diligence. Make an offer with an inspection contingency, during which time you can make sure that the house is perfect as a home. More info…
⬜ Schedule a Feng Shui Review: Contact me to schedule a review before removing contingencies. This way, we can confirm that there aren’t any other major issues to be concerned with before you commit to the purchase. More info…
The information here is rather thorough. When you’re shopping for a home, here is a printable PDF version of this checklist.
Through my inexpensive Feng Shui Real Estate Review, I have helped thousands of people analyze homes they are looking to potentially buy to make sure they are getting a house with great Feng Shui. I also provide more thorough Feng Shui consultations for recently purchased homes without requiring investment in a bunch of silly trinkets. I can do the same for you with a Feng Shui Video Consultation.
EMF in Feng Shui
While electromagnetic fields (EMF) occur naturally, they have been heightened by modern technology. Any device that runs on electricity emits EMF, whether they are wired devices or battery powered. For any of us living a modern life, electromagnetic fields are unavoidable. We are almost always within a few feet of cell phones, computers, Bluetooth devices, and smart devices that are constantly emitting EMF, not to mention all the radio waves, television waves, cellular signals, and WiFi signals that are bombarding us from all directions. Is that necessarily a bad thing? What does Feng Shui have to say about it?
EMF is a flow of energy, but it is an energy caused by a spectrum of sources that vibrate at different frequencies to include the Earth’s magnetic field, electrical power, radio waves, cellular technology, microwaves, sunlight, x-rays, and even radioactive sources. We already know for certain that some of these sources are harmful. This is why those working with radioactive materials wear hazmat suits, you wear a lead apron when you get dental x-rays, and why it is recommended to apply sunscreen before spending time in the sun.
It would stand to reason that extended and close exposure to at least some other frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum may also have harmful effects. A deep dive into the differences between ionizing radiation and non-ionizing radiation aside, there have been a variety of contradictory studies about the effects of EMF on the human body. Then again, there were also several contradictory studies about the effects of smoking, asbestos, and leaded gasoline for decades before it was widely accepted that they were all bad for our health. Just maybe Mother knows best when she says not to stand too close to the TV or microwave.
While Feng Shui deals largely with balance, it is also concerned with the flow of an energy called Chi. In fact, Feng Shui literally translates to “wind-water”. We look for ways to guide the flow of Chi energy for our benefit just as someone could guide the flow of water in a river to irrigate their farm while also preventing the overflow of the river from flooding their home. While the ancient practice of Feng Shui may not have originally dealt with the electrical technologies of today, Feng Shui practices regarding Chi dealt with at least Earth’s magnetic field. It is only the past few centuries that humans have discovered other EMF sources, from electricity to gamma rays.
In my personal experience and from the experiences of many of my clients, electromagnetism from everyday devices can have at least an anecdotal impact. I’ve noticed, for instance, that sleeping with an electric alarm clock or a cell phone charging next to the bed negatively impacts sleep. In turn, that nighttime restlessness causes nervousness, fatigue, headaches, and reduced concentration during the day. Some of my clients are also convinced that extended exposure to wireless devices and unshielded electronics have caused much more harmful effects on them.
I can’t say for certain that EMF is a cause of health issues, but I can make and do recommend minor daily changes to reduce the potential risk — just in case. I don’t want to scare you or expect you to completely cut yourself off from technology, but even minor changes may be very beneficial in the long-term. Here are some steps that I personally commit to and recommend to my clients:
Bedroom Changes
If possible, remove or significantly reduce all electronics around your sleeping area. I recommend to all of my clients that they not have a television in their bedroom, for instance. If you absolutely must have a cell phone in your bedroom, charge it during the day instead of next to you at night and set it to Airplane Mode or another feature to prevent or limit wireless signals (including cellular, WiFi, and Bluetooth) from emitting while you sleep. The only electronic devices I like to see in a bedroom are soft lighting and a white noise sound machine away from the bed.
Distance Yourself From Wireless Devices
At all other times, try to reduce your proximity to wireless devices like cell phones, WiFi routers, smart devices, etc. Keep WiFi routers in the most remote area of the house that still provides a decent signal where you need it. When working, keep your cell phone at least a few feet away instead of in your pocket or bra. When you’re on a phone call, try to use earbuds (preferably wired Air Tube headphones) or the speaker function on the phone. Limit or tuck away “smart” assistants, speakers, plugs, and bulbs, as well as other Bluetooth and WiFi-enabled devices.
Make Changes to Your Computer Desk
You spend a lot of time at your desk. Use wired devices instead of wireless ones at your computer workstation. Whenever possible, opt for a wired mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, speakers, and network connection. With computer screens, keep your distance of at least a foot away, if not more.
Be Careful of Larger Appliances
Sit far from TV screens, just like Mom used to tell you, and don’t stand next to cooking devices like microwaves when they are running.
Insulate Electrical Wiring
Use shielded wiring when possible and shielded wire looms to wrap several cables together. This not only blocks EMF, but also reduces the clutter.
Use House Plants
Use house plants to help absorb radiation. While specific plants should be chosen for certain areas of the home or office for Feng Shui purposes, studies have shown that there are some plants in general that have been found to best absorb radiation. These include cactuses, snake plants, stone lotus flowers, aloe vera, asparagus ferns, and mustard greens. Learn more by reading my blog post about plants.
Take a Break
Take frequent breaks from electronic devices. Ten minutes here and there during the day certainly helps. Take some time to go on a walk, meditate, or have an electronics-free lunch or coffee break with your spouse or a coworker. Take an even bigger break by taking a vacation to a place where you can completely disconnect for a little while to allow your body to rejuvenate.
Get an EMF Reader
Get an EMF reader to check the electromagnetic readings of the various outlets and devices in your home and workspace. For an eye-opening intro to your new device, place the reader near a microwave actively running and pull the reader back slowly until the EMF reading eventually goes away. You’ve just essentially measured the distance of the microwave’s electromagnetic field. Do the same with other devices like your WiFi router, cooking devices, computer equipment, cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, smart devices, etc. Some power outlets, fuse boxes, and wiring behind your walls may emit more EMF than others because of poor shielding around the wires and connections. Use your findings to help you determine which devices and wiring to replace or further shield. You’ll also understand how large the electromagnetic fields are around the devices you absolutely can’t live without so you can keep your distance, when possible. Note that consumer-grade EMF readers won’t be able to measure longer-range EMF like radio waves, television waves, and 5G cellular, but we all know that they exist. Otherwise, our radios, TVs, and cell phones wouldn’t work as intended.
Other Actions for Health
Besides EMF, Feng Shui deals with so many more situations that may impact your health and wellness, including homes at T-intersections, having a spiral staircase, sleep tips, and various bedroom layouts. If you are particularly interested in learning more about how to Feng Shui for better health in your home and office, be sure to read my recent blog post about health and all about the Health Area of the Feng Shui Bagua.
Next Steps
Think of your home as an energy magnet and focus on bringing in things that will bring positive, fresh energy into your life. May you and your family have a home filled with health, happiness and abundance.
If you need guidance to improve your space and your life, I’m always available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better Feng Shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Notes: I’m careful to link to products that I use myself and recommend to my clients, when those products are necessary. I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, which enables me to produce and publish free content for you to learn from.
Health, Above All Else in Feng Shui
Have you ever studied or even looked at a Feng Shui Bagua? The basis of Black Hat Feng Shui is the Bagua, a tool used to analyze the energy of a space. This tool is also a type of map of your space that helps show you which areas of your home are connected to specific areas of your life. It helps to think of this map as a tic-tac-toe board with nine segments.
Right at the center of this Bagua map is the Health Area. The Health Area touches every other aspect of the map: Career, Knowledge, Family, Prosperity & Wealth, Reputation & Fame, Love & Marriage, Creativity & Children, and Helpful People & Travel.
Using the colorful Bagua, we can now look at the individual areas so that we can determine how we affect and are affected by the Chi that flows through these segmented surroundings.
Your Health Area is in the middle of your home and should be the center of your life. With your good health, all other areas of your Feng Shui Bagua can be supported. Intrigued? Read on to find out how you can enhance your health with Feng Shui.
More Details on the Health Area of your Home
When looking at the different Bagua areas of your home, it’s important to always have good health in the forefront of your mind. With good health, you can better enjoy all the other aspects of your life like relationships, creativity, travel, abundant wealth, etc.
- Primary element: Earth
- Best color: Earth tones/yellow
- Best shapes: Horizontal, flat, squared
- Complementary items: Red, fire, pointed, triangular
- Destructive items: Green, wood, tall columnar elements
First Things First, Clear the Clutter!
Good Feng Shui is all about positive energy flow throughout your home. Having clutter is a sure fire way of creating low, stagnant energy that is confusing and draining. This is why it’s important to clear the clutter and organize the space before moving forward to the next step. Sometimes that can mean just completely removing the items from the area and starting fresh. Once you have a clear space to work with, you can start fresh and create a health-friendly area.
Now Let’s Clear the Air
As mentioned above, earth is the primary element in the health area. So placing a potted plant in a ceramic pot or even a picture of a luscious mountainscape can help improve or maintain good health. Good air quality helps with good health, so air purifying plants are a great way to go!
Some great air purifying plants include a Cat Palm, Parlor Palm, Rubber Tree, English Ivy, Boston Fern, and Peace Lily, to name a few. If you are unable to have live plants, then silk plants or pictures of plants will have to do, but attempt other ways to boost the air quality in your home to enhance your health!
Complement the fresh air with a diffuser and natural essential oils to further clean the air and promote your health. Start with a purification essential oil to freshen the air and neutralize odors. Use frankincense and thieves essential oils to support your immune system.
Other Items to Include to Aid in Good Health
Everything in our surroundings carries an energy and that energy is playing a part in moving our lives forward in that direction. So it makes sense then that our décor, photos, paintings, sculptures, etc., or the things we look at each day are working on a subconscious level to bring those things that we see into reality, kind of like the law of attraction. This is why it’s important to choose objects that bring joy and fulfillment into our lives with our décor.
Look for photos of happy, healthy times with joyous memories and display them in the health area of your home. Place personal artwork such as vision boards or objects that represent what you desire to bring into your life in terms of a healthy family into this area. To create a warm feeling for your space, try something like a Himalayan pink salt lamp, as long as it fits your general interior design.
Affirm Your Health
The health area is also a good space for written affirmations about ideal health. These handwritten affirmations can be placed in a health and family box. Affirmations should be written with gratitude and written in present tense as if they are true right now.
If you are struggling to make ends meet, it could help by writing an affirmation about your ability to support yourself and your family. Affirmations should end with, “this or something better for the good of all concerned.” Remember to keep it positive and write it as a thank-you note, like it has already happened to you.
In Feng Shui, it’s believed that by working with the energy centers, you can both identify what’s going on in different areas of your life and improve it by certain practices and by putting objects in the respective Bagua area to encourage the energy to become activated.
Next Steps
Think of your home as an energy magnet and focus on bringing in things that will bring positive, fresh energy into your life. May you and your family have a home filled with health, happiness and abundance.
If you need guidance on how to improve your space and your life, I’m always available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better Feng Shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
Know someone who always seems to have bad luck with their health? Share this post with them on Facebook!
Notes: Some essential oils should not be used around small children, certain pets, and anyone with allergies. I’m careful to link to products that I use myself and recommend to my clients, when those products are necessary. I earn a small commission if you purchase through these links, which enables me to produce and publish free content for you to learn from.
Feng Shui Cures for Unemployment
Let’s be honest: unemployment sucks. Being out of work is stressful and it can be challenging to stay positively motivated while looking for a new job. Feng shui can help to create a better environment so you can better navigate this difficult time.
Here are six feng shui tips I give to my individual consulting clients that have been out of work for a while:
- Declutter your space: I can’t stress enough that you need to get rid of clutter because it blocks the flow of positive energy. It’s important to keep your space organized to give you a better feeling of focus. Get rid of items that you no longer use and ensure your space looks well-organized.
- Check your doors: Make sure that all doors and cabinets – inside and out – open and close easily. No squeaks or other noises. No cobwebs or dust. Ensure that your front door and the area around it is clean and clutter-free and that you have a clear path from your front door to the street.
- Clean your windows: Make sure you can see your opportunities clearly by cleaning your windows. Again, get rid of the dust and cobwebs and make sure the glass itself is adequately clear. If your windows are generally covered, open them up during the day to let in some natural light to improve your mood.
- Activate the Career Area: The Career Area of your home or office is located just as you walk through the front door. Again, make sure this area is clean and clutter-free. Because water is the element of the Career Area, you could add a fountain or artwork that shows water calmly flowing in towards the interior of your home.
- Practice daily affirmations: Positive affirmations will help you shift your mindset so that you can focus on your goals. Write down your affirmations that relate to your job search, such as “I am confident and capable in my job search” or “I am open to receiving new opportunities.” Read them aloud to yourself twice daily.
- De-clutter your friends: The people around you can have a significant impact on your job search and career success. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family that will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. If you’re having trouble here, you may want to de-clutter your friends.
Feng shui can be a helpful tool to support your job search and create a positive environment. Follow the above steps so you can create an energy flow that supports your success and well-being. Good luck on your career journey!
If you need more specific and custom guidance to improve your space and your life, I’m available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better feng shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation feng shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with feng shui. Contact me today!
How to Feng Shui Your Bathroom
The bathroom is often overlooked when it comes to feng shui, but it’s an important space in the home that can greatly impact your energy and well-being.
Historically, homes didn’t have indoor bathrooms because there was no indoor plumbing. Try as I might with my home builder clients, there’s no avoiding indoor bathrooms now. If we don’t feng shui them appropriately, positive energy called chi could be drained, causing problems with your health, finances, career, etc.
Here are some tips to feng shui your bathroom:
- Choose the right colors. Select a color scheme appropriate to the section of the Bagua where your bathroom is located. There’s no need to paint the whole bathroom – simply accenting the area with décor should be fine.
- Use natural elements & shapes. Incorporate elements and shapes appropriate to the Gua where your bathroom is located.
- Use soft lighting. Bright lighting can be stressful, so it’s best to use soft, indirect lighting in the bathroom whenever possible to create a soothing space. You can use dimmable lighting and vanity mirrors with focused lighting when necessary.
- Keep the bathroom clean and clutter-free. Clutter can create a sense of chaos. It disrupts the flow of energy, so it’s important to keep the bathroom clean and organized.
- Choose comfortable and relaxing materials. The materials you use in your bathroom can have a big impact on the energy of the space. Plush towels and rugs can create a sense of relaxation and comfort. Avoid hard, cold materials such as marble or concrete that can feel uninviting.
- Add the element of fun. Be creative and have fun when decorating your bathroom space. All of the energy coming into your bathroom is designed to go down the drain. Counteract that by creating an uplifting environment.
- Redden the drains. Wrap red duct tape or string around drains in the bathroom or even paint them red if they’re hidden by a cabinet. Doing so slows down chi energy that is escaping your home through the drains.
- Use bagua mirrors. Further slow escaping chi by reflecting it back up your drains with a flat bagua mirror placed underneath each drain.
Follow these tips and use the principles of feng shui in your bathroom design to improve your energy flow and stop the loss of uplifting energy in your home.
If you need more specific and custom guidance to improve your space and your life, I’m available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better feng shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation feng shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with feng shui. Contact me today!
Feng Shui Tips for Studio Apartment Renters: Creating Harmony and Balance in a Small Space
If you’re a renter living in a studio apartment, you may be looking for ways to create a sense of harmony and balance in your small space. The principles of feng shui can be a helpful tool for optimizing the layout and design of your apartment to promote well-being and support your goals. In this blog post, we’ll explore some feng shui tips for studio apartment renters.
- Declutter and organize your space. One of the most fundamental principles of feng shui is the idea that clutter blocks the flow of energy in a space. By decluttering and organizing your apartment, you can create a sense of clarity and calm that supports your well-being and goals.
- Choose colors and materials that align with your desired energy. In feng shui, different colors and materials are believed to have different energies and properties. By choosing colors and materials that align with your desired energy, you can create an environment that supports your well-being and goals.
- Pay attention to the layout and design of your space. The placement of furniture and other objects can have a significant impact on the flow of energy in a space. By placing your furniture and objects in a way that promotes harmony and balance, you can create an environment that supports your well-being and goals.
- Incorporate natural elements. In feng shui, incorporating natural elements like plants, wood, and stone can help to bring a sense of balance and harmony to a space. In a small studio apartment, consider adding some natural elements to bring a sense of the outdoors inside.
- Use the bagua map to guide your design. The feng shui bagua is a map that helps practitioners understand how different areas of a space correspond to different aspects of a person’s life. By using the bagua map as a guide, you can create a space that supports your well-being and goals in each of the eight areas.
By following these feng shui tips, you can create a sense of harmony and balance in your small studio apartment. By decluttering and organizing your space, choosing colors and materials that align with your desired energy, paying attention to the layout and design of your space, incorporating natural elements, and using the bagua map as a guide, you can create an environment that supports your well-being and goals.
If you need guidance to improve your space and your life, I’m always available to help. Learn more on my website today and book a virtual consultation. Better Feng Shui can help you in profound ways on life’s journey.
I am a 3rd generation Feng Shui expert and have helped thousands of people add harmony and balance to their homes and offices without making it look like a Chinese restaurant exploded.
I can help you attract the life that you deserve with Feng Shui. Contact me today!
