Sometimes, you walk into a house and it’s just…well…wrong. Colors are garish, furniture is in odd places, and the clutter is out of control. 7 years of bank statements next to a computer desk that is spawning cobwebs. Sigh. Homes like this rarely show well and generally languish on the market for longer than competing properties. This isn’t to say that everyone should use a professional stager or that your home can’t be personal, but here are two strategies that can help market your home better.
Feng Shui is a Chinese meditative principle dealing with harmonizing energies in spaces. Primarily concerned with color and the 5 elements, this principle involves placement of furniture in different quadrants that correspond to sections of your life (see 9 quadrants below). In theory, aligning your physical surroundings corresponds to changes in these areas. Whether you ascribe to this or not, Feng Shui offers ideas for arranging rooms and balancing colors to create experiences. Ideally, a motivated seller will arrange their home to appeal to the widest range of buyers. If you happen to move items in the “health” quadrant of your home at the same time and have more energy, it’s a win-win!
Another tenant of Feng Shui and good marketing is to de-clutter. It’s everywhere. In everyone’s life. I am just as guilty as everyone else of the stacked pile of “important” papers. Clutter attracts and retains energy and the more static energy there is, the less flow can get through a home. This results in homes that feel “stale”, or “odd” or just plain “dirty”. One of the best books I’ve read on this is Karen Kingston’s guide, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui. Accessible, practical and easy to read, Kingston’s ideas have stuck with me for years. Always a good read (or re-read). Energy, flow and the feel of homes is one the most intangible concepts to evaluate, change and improve. Also, one of the most important to selling your home. Stay tuned for other ideas on more successful marketing!
