Buyers are seeking feng shui- compliant homes and here’s why

There is an increasing number of home and other property buyers who look for feng shui-compliant homes nowadays. In my real estate career, I am inundated with specific questions even before I show a certain property to potential buyers. This is because feng shui is a part of life for many people.

The fundamental part of feng shui is energy called qi. Feng shui is based on techniques that create a natural balance and a positive flow of this energy into surroundings to create abundance, and positive energy. Feng shui is said to balance the relationship between nature and the dwelling spaces. It is said to balance the energy so that it brings good fortune and good health to the home dwellers, while the negative energy is channeled out or “cured” as not to affect the family living in the home in a harmful way.

What are the things to look for when buying a good feng shui home:

1. A home should have adequate windows for energy to flow freely. Have you ever been to a house that feels madilim (dark) for the lack of windows? Apart from the obvious, a home without adequate windows is also said to have no energy coming in. As Madame A, a client of mine who loves floor to ceiling windows would say, “Kulang windows, kulang liwanag, kulang suwerte!”
2. The front of the house should be free of obstructions. It should not have anything in line with the front door such as a Meralco post, or a big tree. My client’s feng shui master would say it is like an axe that “chops” into a house. Also, it blocks the luck coming in. If there is no choice but you absolutely love that house with a big pole or tree you refuse to cut down, there are certain “cures” like putting a bagua mirror on the front door.
3. The stove cannot be beside the refrigerator or sink. The sink and the stove are contrasting elements. They cannot be beside each other.
4. The master bedroom is one of the most important positions in the house. The home office desk comes second. Where the bedroom lies is important especially the master bedroom where the head of the family sleeps. It should be a place where relaxation is achieved and clutter is kept to a bare minimum.

There are four things to note inside the bedroom. Number one, the bed should be in a commanding position, meaning the headboard is up against a wall, never a window where there is no stability. Secondly, the bed should not be in direct line to the door, but rather, diagonal to the door in such a way that if someone enters your bedroom, you can see the person and not have your back to the door. It also is based on something practical as this position of seeing the door from where you are lying gives you a sense of security. What if you are doing the deed or there is an attempted burglary into your home?

Thirdly, no mirrors should face the bed. They are said to cause infidelity in marriages apart from bouncing off energy when the bedroom is for restful sleep. Fourthly, avoid bedrooms with ceiling beams above as this cuts the energy and can make the person sickly.

5. Location of the house is very important as well. Most of my clients will never buy homes with too much energy — like next to a busy highway, fire or police station, mortuary, cemetery, school, or church. However, I also have clients who live in Santuario de San Jose in Greenhills East, and clients near Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park and Dasma in Makati. Their home values have risen even if situated near these churches. Greenhills West has both Xavier and Immaculate Conception Academy, and the surrounding home values are up, but of course we do not know what is happening in their home life. And for others, the proximity to these high traffic areas has worked for their lives.

Apart from Greenhills, the Wack Wack area is also prime — and practical. Wack Wack is very central — one can get to Makati, EDSA and Quezon City with ease from its location. With the horrendous Manila traffic, being in the city center is becoming more of a common sense decision for many. Some of my clients want to live in the area because of Wack Wack Golf and Country Club, which has been in existence since 1930.

High-end developer Shang Properties is developing the luxe residential tower Shang Residences at Wack Wack in front of the golf course, affording residents stunning views of the greens, and the city and beyond. Keeping in mind the Shangri-la brand’s resorts around the world, the condominium features picture windows in its large units and an oasis-like atmosphere in its public spaces.

6. A business can be lucky at a T-intersection or corner because it can be seen by more people. But this is not good for a private residence because it is too much energy. A T-intersection is when streets meet in a “T” shape. In feng shui, it’s very inauspicious for your home to be located at the top of the “T”. Basically, your home is sitting on a street with another street dead ending into you, which sends a lot of energy directly at you. It’s sort of like pointing a sword or an arrow right at your face. If possible, avoid living in a home located at a T-intersection.

There are a lot of people who are allergic to “tumbok” homes. However, one of the richest men in the Philippines lives on a tumbok lot in Forbes park. So if you are able to absorb all the good energy, then there is a chance that it could be good. In my experience though, most people will avoid “tumbok” properties.

7. Research, and then research again, to not buy a home on a flood plain! Even if you need to go city records or city hall’s engineering department, research the history of the plot of land you are considering. There was a time when people also avoided reclaimed areas but with the recent developments around Mall of Asia, it seems that people are willing to forego this feng shui concept as it has become a vibrant business hub the last five years.
8. Homes on dead end streets are a dead end, as are cul-de-sacs that have you going in circles, and are to be avoided. Avoid homes adjacent to dilapidated buildings, empty lots, mortuary, funeral parlors and cemeteries. They are very yin energy, which signifies lack of life. A home is a space for the living, so best to stay clear of homes very close to these types of spaces. Instead, surround your home with life rather than death.
9. Everything that happens in a space creates energetic vibrations and gets imprinted on land and the house. If possible, research the history of the home, and see if there are patterns of negative life events. Some examples include: untimely deaths, divorces, or health issues. It is also helpful to look at the history of the property if you can. In other countries like Canada, where I also have a professional real estate license, asking the seller or seller’s agent about the motivation of selling the house is taboo. The seller has a right to her privacy and the agent is not at liberty to disclose the reason for the sale of the house if the seller instructs the agent to keep it private.

In the Philippines, where chismis (gossip) is prevalent, the house’s history can be learned by asking the security guard, the tambay maids and drivers who hang around the property. You will be able to gather a thing or two regarding the property — who lives there, why they are selling, and other shenanigans associated with the house.

I showed Madame C some townhouses in the Valle Verde area and literally the place looks like it was never lived in. Apparently, according to the grapevine a.k.a. the maids hanging out at the townhouse complex’s pool area, that particular townhouse unit was a love nest of a certain politician who brings his hot dates to the townhouse for some *wink wink,* which is why it looks brand new.

There was another property I showed Madame D in the Kapitolyo area and we found out the reason they were selling from the tambay was because owner went into gambling debt in casinos so they needed to sell the house.

The patterns of the home after time may also emerge into your life or not. If you believe in the negative energy and feel that it may affect your life, then follow your gut. At the end of the day, follow your intuition. Most people know right away if a home is right for them by how they feel about the place. On the other hand, if you found a good place with the best location for your family, you can just work around the issues with a Fengshui master or choose to ignore it. Let the wisdom arise from your heart and your intuition, then trust your own judgment. You will know it is the right property for you when you are ready to grow and work with the place that you have chosen to make it truly your home.