It is a challenge to understand and respect the cultural differences that we encounter in the San Francisco Bay Area. We are in a changing world. Selling real estate in Castro Valley, like so much of the San Francisco Bay Area and, specifically Alameda and Contra Costa Counties where I mainly work, requires at least some understanding of the needs and customs of the culturally diverse clientele with whom we work.
I am working with a buyer couple whose ethnic origins are Indian. Not American Indian…the continent of India. This couple is quite Americanized but they also respect their cultural roots.
We were looking at a Castro Valley house that was attractive to them. It appeared that the house might make their short list.
“Now we need to do a “feng shui” check on the house”, said the wife. That was a pretty funny statement coming from her since feng shui is a Chinese term. The husband responded, “Yea, John, now we are going to go all Indian on you.”
What they were saying was that they needed to check the direction towards which the front door faced. Modern technology being what it is he and I pulled out our smart phones with their compass apps. We got the same readings and they said the direction was acceptable. My bad, I did not ask which compass points are good or bad. Next time I am with them, I will ask them. Obviously, I am still learning.
We really do learn more, much more, about selling real estate after we pass the licensing exam.
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