Would your property satisfy this ancient Asian art?

While dream homes have traditionally had to tick the boxes of location, looks and the right amount of lucre, providing spiritual support hasn’t previously been in the job description.

But for an increasing amount of buyers, their property has to be personally right for them – so they are applying the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui to house hunting, according to Knight Frank agents. Meanwhile Vastu, the Indian equivalent of Feng Shui has also had a share of interest with the increasing amount of Indian buyers looking for property in the UK, many of whom will bring a Vastu expert with them to determine whether the direction in which the house faces is auspicious for their client.

William Furniss from Knight Frank’s Beaconsfield office comments; “We are seeing an increasing number of potential purchasers bringing their Feng Shui experts to a second viewing, many will not make a decision without their advice.”

Feng Shui practitioners are not concerned with mere surface practicalities. Instead they will look at where a property is situated in a street, what sits behind it and either side of it – all key factors, as they are what provide the building with “support”. A house in the centre of a street, with easy access, an open view and a solid building behind scores highly, while corner properties, those next to empty space in a road or houses near graveyards may have problems.

Buyers who adhere to Feng Shui principles will also play a numbers game, avoiding certain properties at “unlucky” numbers such as four. When they have settled on one they like from the outside, they will get their Feng Shui consultant round to check out whether the “chi” or positive energy of the property is right for them. Feng Shui principles dictate that the individual horoscope of a person demands certain specific support from a property, which can be dictated from the points of a special feng shui compass. If the specific support is lacking, then it means no sale – a rule that applies to Vastu adherents as well.

Grant Alexson from Knight Frank’s Hampstead office comments; “Far Eastern buyers do not like the number 4 in any part of the address. At Mount Vernon a development in Hampstead all apartments with that number were simply renumbered the next number along so 24 became 25 etc. Additionally as a result of Feng Shui far eastern buyers consider it a major risk to buy a house at the end a of road as the luck may either run into the house or away from the house.”

It’s not all doom and gloom however – sellers can take advantage of some Feng Shui tips too. Clear a way to your property by making sure entrances are clean and open – chop down any tall trees near the front door or dismantle rock gardens – they give evil spirits a place to hide. Inside, make use of a special tool called a Ba-Gua – an octagonal chart that outlines the best arrangement for rooms – in the kitchen, for example, the door should never face the oven. Other common factors apply – declutter as much as you can to create a light, open space – but avoid strong overhead lighting as it tends to make everything seem harsh and jagged. Keep long narrow corridors clear and well-lit and think about colour – pale shades will create calm or if you want to concentrate energy in one particular area, go for bold colours and dramatic shades. Meanwhile to get the best out of your sale, it could even mean waiting until a certain auspicious date to put your house on the market. Most Feng Shui consultants will be able to suggest basic changes without having to rip down walls or spend a huge amount of money.

And what doesn’t work for you might be perfect for the next buyer. Which means spiritual support all round.