We are fast approaching spring, traditionally a time when many folks consider putting homes on the market for sale.
In addition, there are home sellers sitting in long unsold houses. And there are homes that have managed to make their way into escrow, only to see the transaction later fall apart. Still other properties, which by all logic ought to be on the market for an extended period of time, sell quite rapidly.
A Realtor friend tells a story about a little house she was marketing, on a very busy street. The house didn't show well, it needed updating, and was also in need of a roof. And the property wasn't attractively priced for a quick sale. Yet, within a few days, the little house had a good offer, went to pending, and quickly closed.
The seller confided to the agent, that he had buried a statue of St. Joseph in the yard, near the For Sale sign. This is a little “tradition” that is being increasingly heard, if not actually implemented by real estate agents themselves. Some choose to bury St. Joseph upside down.
Real estate professionals will often hear about these stories, be part of them, or may even buy these statues themselves, believing that divine intervention may help facilitate a sale.
Those claiming miraculous results from the use of St. Joseph statues, also report that it seems to work even with seller or agents are of other faiths.
The Catholic saint has long been believed to help with home-related matters. And according to lore now spreading on the Internet and among desperate home-sellers. One agent, reports she keeps a St. Joseph statue in her workstation, and says, "St. Joseph is also the patron saint of "falling" escrows." In other words, prayer and St. Joseph can help "heal" a troubled sale or escrow, when things just don't seem to be going right in the transaction.
Catholic clergy aren't sure how St. Joseph would feel about his replica ending up on its head in the dirt, and suggest displaying it somewhere in the house instead.
"I think it's much more respectful than burying the poor guy," says Msgr. Andrew Connell, the archdiocesan director of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith in Boston.
On one of my previous blogs about this topic, Phil Cates of www.StJosephStatue.com commented his personal beliefs about St. Joseph – “StJosephStatue.com's Vision Is a World...where hope and optimism is imparted to those seeking promise in an otherwise gloomy real estate market, regardless of religious affiliation.”
Cates went on to say, “For those Catholics and non-Catholics alike, practicing the ancient tradition of calling on St. Joseph to sell their home, www.StJosephStatue.com will respect and honor their beliefs and encourage them to continue their faith. For those who are spiritual yet unfamiliar with the St. Joseph tradition, but are still in need of help to sell their home... www.StJosephStatue.com will encourage them to consider how the act of burying a St. Joseph statue can invoke the energy of positive thought. Often times, the strength and intensity of the human sprit can move mountains. Our thoughts create our future.
The phone number for Phil Cates’ "Underground Real Estate Agent Kits" is 1-888-BURY-JOE.
There are several vendors, who support the little industry surrounding St. Joseph Home Seller Kits. Mr. Weigang, owner of http://www.catholicstore.com is also one who encourages buyers to put the statues in homes.
Do you have a miraculous St. Joseph story surrounding the marketing of a home? We'd love to hear it!
Comments(18)