Home > Blogs > Joseph Najm > Joseph's Blog

Agents, did you know that some cultures only buy houses that face a certain direction.

By Joseph Najm

Home Inspector with VA HOME INSPECT, LLC

May 01, 2007 11:02 AM

This is why it is a good idea for agents to carry with them a compass so they can answer the question of which way does the house faces.

Comments(62)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Judy Greenberg

Compass - Long Grove, IL

Compass- Long Grove -Buffalo Grove

As discussed in other comments, some cultures do not like certain numbers, but one of my clients real took feng Sui a little bit farther , ie, if the address was 1228 they add up the digits to 13 which adds up to 4. Now that's being very analytical or Feng shui...ish They wouldn't buy the house because the numbers added to 4.

Nov 07, 2007 12:42 PM

Anonymous

Ginny Theriot Cypress Texas Realtor

There are even books on Feng Shui that are just for Realtors. I got one online.

Nov 07, 2007 01:05 PM

#44

Lisa Hill

Florida Property Experts - Daytona Beach, FL

Daytona Beach Real Estate

I know this is an old post but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Most cars indicate the direction they're facing. Many times I've run out to the car when it was parked in the driveway, just to check the direction it's facing, for my buyers. Oh, and our MLS has that as a required field.

Nov 13, 2007 09:46 AM

Sally Zatkoff

Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty - Fairfax, VA

Making a Difference

I do know that, and since I do not carry a compass I have to use my car. I back up into the driveway and see what direction the car would be going if I went straight ahead.

Culture is a wonderful thing.

Nov 20, 2007 10:03 AM

D B

Quakertown, PA

e-PRO, Realtor - Bucks County PA - 610-952-3578

Yes, I had a buyer once that loved a particular home, but would not buy it because it faced the wrong direction. We found one around the corner, just like it that faced the opposite direction.

In ancient times as well as today, Feng Shui, (風水) pronounced in English as [fʊŋ'ʃweɪ] ("fung shway"), was known as "Kan-Yu" which means 'The Law of Heaven and Earth.' ^[1] Today's Feng Shui schools teach that it is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve harmony with the environment. Feng shui literally translates as "wind-water."

Nov 24, 2007 01:13 AM

Michael J. O'Connor

Diamond Ridge Realty - Corona, CA

Eastvale - 951-847-4883

I had someone not put in an offer on a listing that I had because the home did not face south. I had not heard about the number 4 being a problem but I bet that was another consideration because the address had two 4's in it and no 8's. The things we learn!

Nov 24, 2007 10:57 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

It is not uncommon in my area with certain buyers - certain ways NSEW makes for bad luck - the door color makes for bad luck or bad fung shui. I have used the compass in my car as I pull in - tells me what direction we are facing for the buyers. Surprised you haven't run into this before!!

Nov 27, 2007 02:22 AM

Mary Ellen Elmore

Nunnelly, TN

Certain Native American Nations want their doors facing East or West.

It does surprise me that many have not ran into this before also, not as a culture or feng shui but just preference--I wanted the sun coming up in my kitchen/breakfast room area, my family room windos facing the sunset.

Dec 04, 2007 10:24 PM

Tina Merritt

Nest Realty - Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Real Estate

It's always a good question to ask buyers in those first meetings.

Dec 31, 2007 12:07 AM

Michael I. Pulskamp

Mainstreet Brokers - Jackson, CA

REALTOR, EcoBroker, GREEN Desingnee

Solar efficiency is quickly becoming a huge part of our culture also. Correctly placed South facing windows and heat-sinks, shade trees and sun angles, these things are selling points even without ethno-cultural bias. Great post and great comments!

Dec 31, 2007 03:02 AM

Michael I. Pulskamp

Mainstreet Brokers - Jackson, CA

REALTOR, EcoBroker, GREEN Desingnee

Dec 31, 2007 03:02 AM

Hank Roeters

Platinum Partners Realtors - Darien, IL

Yes, and these same buyers will not even consider a home that backs to a cemetery.

Dec 31, 2007 03:28 AM

Graham Holmes - Yucaipa Homes Listing Agent

Reviron Realty - RDCPro e-Pro Listing Broker - Yucaipa, CA

When Experience Matters

I am thinking of starting a company to turn houses to face the correct direction on the lot.... :-)

Dec 31, 2007 11:38 AM

Blatt + Cutino

Coldwell Banker Realty - Monterey, CA

Broker-Associate 831/206-8070*Call today*

I ran into this a few times and always had to preview and make sure a home faced the right direction for my clients. When I asked the listing agents they usually couldn't tell me. Maybe it would be something to consider listing in the MLS? Angelica

Jan 16, 2008 09:06 AM

Ross Quintana

Real E Smarter - Spokane, WA

Real E Smarter Real Estate Coach - 509-362-1966

Yes, Asians want their homes facing a certain way and also they want the house numbers to not be unluck numbers.

Mar 04, 2008 03:29 AM

Karen Turney

Homesmart - Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix Real Estate

I have had several clients for the direction of the home was very important. Though many do not refer to it as feng shui. Culturally it is just what is for them. There are things that you can do for a home that does not allow for good energy. Reading a good book about feng shui can be helpful and giving you the starting tools to ask the right questions. I have had people of all cultures interested in the karma, I-ching or flow of energy in a home.

Mar 18, 2008 12:09 PM

Ryan Vivo

Gateway Realty - Fairfield, CA

NRBA Realtor Solano County, Gateway Realty 707-384-5894

Feng Shui is very interesting stuff. My mom believes in that kind of stuff.

Mar 21, 2008 05:30 PM

TENNESSEE HOME TEAM

Adaro Realty, Inc. - Murfreesboro, TN

LUXURY HOMES & SUPERIOR SERVICE

With the diverse population of the US, this is a great idea.

thanks

daniel

Mar 25, 2008 09:07 AM

Kat DeLong

Realty ONE Group Mountain Desert - Prescott, AZ

REALTOR

This is sooooooooo true. In fact, I had a client who wanted to look at lots priced at $29,000...ended up, with compass in hand--his hand--buying two lakefront lots totally well over a mil. They (the lots) had to FACE a certain way.

I really SHOULD get a compass!

Mar 26, 2008 01:14 PM

Inna Ivchenko

Barcode Properties - Encino, CA

Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I do know that after working with Indian and some Asian clients.

My iphone has a compass, but if I know that my client have certain preferences, I would just call a listing agent and ask before bringing my clients there.

Mar 28, 2015 04:23 PM