| As someone in the real estate industry, I'm always | | | | Another route is to bury a statue of St. Joseph |
| eager to find out more about buying and selling | | | | somewhere in the lawn. St. Joseph, one-time husband |
| strategies. However, I'm not sure what to think about | | | | of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is also the patron saint |
| using astrology to sell a home. Or Feng Shui. Or magic | | | | of real estate sales. One site selling St. Joseph statues |
| spells. There are a lot of people more than happy to | | | | intimates that you can sell your house faster if you buy |
| take your money in exchange for your magic number, | | | | the bigger statue size. One wonders why it is |
| star alignment, or real estate amulet, though. | | | | necessary to deep-six an effigy of a saint in order for |
| Astrology has been used to divine the future since | | | | him to take notice of your house selling woes, but |
| before the Common Era. Many people today view it | | | | there is no explanation forthcoming from history aside |
| as a harmless amusement. even has a section for | | | | from anecdotes. |
| "homestrology" profiles. Realty Times did an article | | | | Feng shui is a Chinese practice rooted in ancient times. |
| entitled, "Look to the Stars for Decorating Advice", | | | | Basically, the idea is arranging objects in one's life to |
| featuring astrologer John Marchesella, who claims that | | | | attract positive energy. However, feng shui also |
| knowing your Sun Sign can help you choose colors for | | | | attracts money from people who believe that this |
| your home. | | | | practice can help them sell homes. 19.95 buys one |
| In some cases, astrology becomes serious business, | | | | information about their element at one website. One |
| spawning websites like that sells subscriptions for | | | | feng shui consultant who works in real estate charges |
| astrology questions, natal charts, and business outlooks. | | | | $150. An hour. On the plus side, feng shui does |
| These cost between $25 to $50 a month. Some | | | | encourage people to pay attention to their color |
| astrologers promise results if you buy a personal | | | | scheme and the placement of furniture in the home. |
| profile from them, ranging from 19.95 to hundreds of | | | | The principles of feng shui may actually work in real |
| dollars. One website promised that my problems selling | | | | estate simply because they encourage people to |
| a home stemmed from not having my home in proper | | | | arrange their house in an uncluttered fashion, with an |
| alignment with the stars. For only 39.95, I could get a | | | | eye for pleasing colors. Magic spells and astrology, |
| astrological profile that would improve my real estate | | | | though... are these people genuine, or are they simply |
| transactions. Some Realtors even claim that they use | | | | taking peoples' money? The truth is that the efficacy |
| astrology to sell homes. | | | | of such things has never been proven. It's one thing to |
| Magic spells aren't just for Mickey Mouse in "Fantasia" | | | | look at your horoscope for fun; another to hand |
| any more. Some people believe that they can help you | | | | someone hundreds or thousands of dollars, only to be |
| sell your house. One spell requires allspice, myrrh and | | | | told that your house didn't sell because the stars |
| benzoin. If Eastern magic appeals to you more, there's | | | | weren't aligned properly. |
| a site that sells Chinese Prosperity Oil at the bargain | | | | In the end, I would urge you to put your faith in a |
| price of 39.95. Apparently you can anoint the doorstep | | | | Realtor, whose 'magic' you can rely on. |
| with it or burn it for a pleasing 'buy-me' scent. | | | | |