Ever wonder why some real estate seems to sell in a matter of days while other property seems to stay on the market forever? Some places, no matter what we do, just seem to fall short on appeal to prospective buyers. As an agent, the frustration of trying to sell these properties can drive one crazy as you see your labors starting to exceed your potential commission.

As such, many agents have sought out the services of a Feng Shui consultant. The hope is that the consultant can implement measures that will help the property’s appeal to prospective buyers. Those who believe and understand the ancient principles behind Feng Shui know that it can have a positive impact in making property more appealing. However, many nonbelievers view the practice as nothing more than Voodoo. This split in beliefs is not that surprising considering that Feng Shui practitioners’, by in large, are not united in their approaches.

The average person is probably not aware that the profession of Feng Shui has three predominating philosophies that govern how and what measures will be used within the practice.

The first philosophy is one that has limited appeal. This practice incorporates a great deal of “New-age” ideology, which might seem a little too esoteric for the mainstream population. These practitioners tend to utilize many transcendental concepts that may or may not have an impact on an environment. Additionally, many of these practitioners tend to speak in ethereal terms, which may or may not resonate with the client. For example, many “New Age” Feng Shui practitioners equate sharp corners or points (poison arrows) to beams of energy that wreak havoc within an environment.

In this practice of Feng Shui, energy and magnetic fields are the underlying theme. While this practice of Feng Shui tends to be embraced by other New Age thinkers and has a high satisfaction appeal for those who seek out this service, it lacks mass appeal and proven sales applicability partly because the concepts are a little too esoteric for the average person.

The next Feng Shui philosophy to be discussed has a more tangible foundation and is more in sync to the actual ancient practices. This practice of Feng Shui is one that follows Taoist philosophies, which basically mean predestination. Predestination concepts translate to our destinies being determined at the time of our birth. Our choices are very limited, and the role of the Feng Shui practitioner is to help us live within our predetermined destinies. Practitioners of this philosophy believe that all houses should face the south, and use astrological charts and a compass to develop environments. Individuals who subscribe to this practice benefit most when they are building up from the ground, or when they have the ability to redesign every detail. For use by Realtors to increase sales, this philosophy might not be the best selection because of the predestined ideology. The practitioner, through the tools of their trade, might conclude that the listing Realtor should not be listing that property because it is not in their destiny, or that the structure needs to be completely removed. Neither of these solutions have any value to the Realtor.

The third practice in Feng Shui subscribes to Confucius beliefs. These beliefs state that we are all in charge of our destinies, and our purpose on this planet is to strive for perfection. This practice of Feng Shui is also the oldest practice and is based on simple concepts of observation and assessment, the underlying premise behind much of behavioral science. With a turbulent history, this form of Feng Shui, just as the Taoist form of Feng Shui, has undergone evolutionary modifications. One modification is the merging of observation and assessment principles with Buddhist beliefs. However, if you remove the Chinese luck charms and icons, this practice of Feng Shui becomes very logical and has a solid foundation based on human behaviors. Ergo, this form of Feng Shui is more on human preferences, which lends itself nicely to realtors and those who have environments that are already built.

Feng Shui as a profession provides an important function in today’s society. For Realtors, a Feng Shui consultant can help with the sale of property by modifying it to be more appealing to the potential buyer. However, as with anything else, one must research what it is they are considering. Also, be it New Age, Taoist compass, or Confucius black hat, the professionals who dedicate their lives to these forms of Feng Shui are experts in their fields. This means that one needs to determine which philosophy the Feng Shui consultant follows before enlisting their services.

But, be very wary of that person who has read a couple of books and hence calls himself or herself a Feng Shui expert. These people may be able to regurgitate information, but when it comes to the successful analysis and implementation, these people typically fall short. As with any other profession, a Feng Shui professional will offer sound advice that comes from experience and understanding. They will know what to look for and will know how to achieve the optimal results without frivolous spending.

For Realtors, Feng Shui is just another tool to sell homes.

Published: April 3, 2003

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David Alan Kopec "DAK" has a Ph.D. in Environmental Psychology with a concentration in perception and design and two master's degrees, one in Architecture and another in Community Psychology. He also has a bachelor's degree in community/public health, is certified by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC), a member of Interior Design Education Council (IDEC), and studied the practice and principles of Feng Shui in China. Among DAK's most notable accomplishments include the completion of the first textbook on environmental psychology for design, published by Fairchild Books, which won ASID's 2006 Joel Polsky Prize. He has also authored two monographs; the first analyzes the Americans with Disabilities Act along with the common issues faced by an elderly population, published by ASID. The second monograph discusses the design of long-term care facilities in a multicultural society. This is being published by NCIDQ. Currently DAK is working on a second textbook that analyzes health, sustainability and design. Fairchild Books will release this book in the Spring of 2008. Also, DAK is a 2006 award recipient from Rebuilding Together San Diego. DAK is an Associate Professor of Design at the Newschool of Architecture and Design. In addition, DAK has a private practice, provides consulting services and educational lectures at events such as Neo-Con World’s Trade Fair in Chicago, the annual leadership conference for the American Society for Interior Designers (ASID), and dozens of physician conferences and meetings.