Image by Joseph Gareri
More to a House than the Home Itself
Can the name of a street provide you more information on a home than just an address? Well, it may not be the defining factor when deciding to buy a home, but it can be an indication of what kind of lifestyle a buyer might encounter once they move into the property.
Streets are Like Waterways
In Feng Shui (wind-water), streets are like waterways. Energy moves down the street just as it would if it were a body of water. A wide busy freeway with loads of traffic has energy rushing at a frenzied pace making it too hectic to be healthy to live right next to. A rambling, bumpy, unpaved country road would likely lead to a laid back, relaxed and much more slowly paced lifestyle. Depending upon where a person is in their life, their personality and what type of living situation they are looking for determines what type of living environment is best for them. If they love excitement, a busier street with lots of activity and even mixed use buildings will probably suit them best. A person that prefers quiet times is most likely going to prefer a street with less traffic and a few stop signs along the way to keep cars from past too quickly.
Names Carry Energy
Names also carry energy. The name of a street can have an impact on residents. This is personal because it depends upon what the name means to the individual. For instance, most people are happy to live on a street named Sunshine Avenue, but living on Drippy Drive has a whole other connotation. Something like Castle Street can mean different things to different people; some might think of a grand castle and others might think of a scary castle, so you can see how personal perception plays in.
So if you have a client that you know is young, hip and looking for adventure, you can probably save yourself a trip if you see a listing on Fossil Lane. If you have a client that is looking for peace and serenity when they come home, Tranquil Place just might be a winner!
Chris Shouse
August 30, 2008 at 10:41 am
So very true did you also know that if you have clients from China they do not like the number 4 and will not have it in their house numbers. The number 4 sounds like death in their language.
Upstart Agent
August 30, 2008 at 11:09 am
I have thought about this myself sometimes – House numbers like 911 or 13 seem to always draw comments and no doubt it may negatively impact a buyer’s impression before even seeing the house.
Jim Gatos
August 30, 2008 at 1:58 pm
1312 Mockingbird Lane?
1164 Morning Glory Circle?
Is there really a “Divorce Court” in Heather Highlands, Pa?
Louis Cammarosano
August 30, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Nikki
Interesting article and good advice for buyers agents but what would you advise sellers to do if their homes are on the wrong side of Karma street?
Benn Rosales
August 30, 2008 at 3:56 pm
This is pretty cool stuff Nikki, we’re more and more often being asked if we know anything about Feng Shui, and I remember offending a few folks early on in my career not understanding issues with house numbers, directions homes face, etc… We had to study some to undestand what the consumer was asking, because at first glance it seemed odd to lose a deal over something like this but folks really do tend to take it pretty seriously…
Do you see this becoming a more perm niche for agents(some used to call it a fad, not so much anymore)?
Nickie Rothwell
August 30, 2008 at 5:31 pm
Hi Chris! You’re absolutely right, that is how the number 4 is perceived by many from China and it can be a deal breaker. From the Western perspective, 4 represents Security and Self Discipline-completely different. Much the same as how our cultures differ in how we view the color white, in other cultures it is a color used for funerals, so in landscaping, white flowers should never touch a home. In our culture, white has a different meaning, so perspective does have an impact on some aspects of Feng Shui interpretation.
Hi Upstart! Numbers and names do carry energy with them; I’m not sure if a street name would be a deal breaker for most, but it is part of the whole package and something to consider.
Hi Jim, I wouldn’t know about that, but I sure hope there isn’t! 🙂
Hi Louis! It would probably be fun to live on Karma Street! There are optimal positions to live on a street and places to avoid; we’ll be getting to those soon! (Hint: Avoid living at the end of a dead end street-if you do, there are fixes!)
Hi Benn, you’re right, some people do get a bit off-put, but I think it is because they are unfamiliar with Feng Shui. Feng Shui is very simple yet complex at the same time. The principles are common sense and once you “get it”, you see how it all makes sense. But if you’ve never had the chance to see it in action, it can seem very abstract. For others, it can be a deal breaker. Hopefully as we get to talk more about the different aspects of Feng Shui, it will start to all come together for folks and bit by bit, people will have an opportunity to see how making a few simple adjustments in their environment can greatly improve their well being.
A niche for agents? Definitely! The practice of Feng Shui has been around for thousands of years; it’s definitely not a fad.
Louis Cammarosano
August 30, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Nickie a post on the “fixes” for sellers would be grand…
Could you do one?
Nickie Rothwell
August 30, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Absloutely Louis, my pleasure!
Next post, fixes for sellers!
Thanks for the input!!
🙂
Missy Caulk
August 31, 2008 at 7:45 am
Nicki, interesting observation. I am at my cottage this weekend on Devils Lake. I HATE with a passion that name, but we loved the cottage and bought it. I have angels throughout it, but it is embarrassing to tell people where it is. So I usually say, “the Irish Hills area in Mi” which has many lakes.
If they ask me which lake, I tell them.
Got a good fix for that one? (((sigh)))
Nickie Rothwell
August 31, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Hi Missy!
This is such a good question!
I wasn’t familiar with that area, so I did a little bit of research on the history of the name of the lake.
It seems the lake got its name from one sad occurrence way back in the 1700’s and from what I could find, there hasn’t been anything else except great things talked about in the area.
It sounds like a gorgeous place and thriving lakes are very auspicious. I saw that this is a great fishing area. You love your cottage and from I read, others love the area too.
The best thing to do is to think about how you can change your perspective on the name and come up with a way that makes you feel better about it. Perhaps just plain consciously accepting how the father felt when he lost his daughter in the drowning accident, validating his feelings and then just releasing it all will do it. Since you already love everything else about the area, I’m sure you will feel even better about it if you no longer “HATE with a passion that name” and just accept it.
I hope I don’t sound like I’m preaching, but oftentimes changing our perception just a little bit, can alleviate any feelings of discomfort over things like this. Sometimes with Feng Shui, making a little change inside is where it really matters.
Missy Caulk
September 1, 2008 at 4:46 am
Thanks Nicki, amazed and appreciated you did so much research. So much of our history with the American Indian is based on tragedy, so you’re right I need to focus on the good. Thanks for taking the time to respond in sincerity and not a flip answer.
Glenn fm Naples
September 1, 2008 at 6:45 am
I worked with a client that is very spirtual and love in with a home – address was 668, but doing some additional research on the property I found it was originally 666. I did disclose the fact to my client and they still purchased the property and appreciated my noting this immaterial fact to them.
Nickie Rothwell
September 2, 2008 at 2:28 pm
My pleasure Missy!
I’m so glad it worked out Glenn. Interesting that the address was changed through the years.
If anyone should come across this with a client who does show concern, in Feng Shui, the number for a house with this address is 9 which represents tolerance, compassion and thinking of the greater good.