A Message to All My Realtor Friends on Activerain
The year I was in school for Feng Shui Studies was 1996. I don't know if any of us in that first graduating class knew what would come of Feng Shui, if anything. At that time very, VERY few people had even heard about it. Often, if they had, it was very misunderstood. We ourselves didn't know if it would be a passing "fad" or something that people would come to know and believe in.
I don't believe ANY of us then EVER realized that Feng Shui would become so popular and sought after as it is now. That every year the number of people who have an interest, understanding and belief in Feng Shui would be calling for consultations not only for homes, but for businesses, corporations and new construction continue to grow and become more popular.
We also learned the study of Bio-Biology which is, in effect what is now known as "Going Green." Relating the two made perfect sense and I have to think how many years it has been for people to even grasp that. Thankfully, they have and have learned more about it then we were able to cover during our classes.
I was not, then surprised to receive this email today. I can hear total frustration in it and I am paraphrasing:
"I live in _________, Long Island, New York and have been searching for a different home in the area since September. Would you happen to know of a Real Estate Agent in this area who has at least some Feng Shui Knowledge"? Needless to say, I can't communicate with ordinary realtors, many of which have never even heard of Feng Shui and refuse to be sensitive to my Feng Shui beliefs."
I know many Realtors, I thought. I have given workshops and have spoken at the Long Island Board of Realtors in 2006. Yet none to my knowledge had ever pursued learning enough about Feng Shui to be able to help this frustrated potential client. They will refer to me but it can delay the process of a purchase.
I mentally ran through my list and came up with one who I know who has the principles of Feng Shui and is absolutely sensitive to her beliefs, she has them as well. I met her years ago when she had a Feng Shui Consultation in New York for her own home. One.....and I am not sure if she is in that area of Long Island.
Two of my favorite books that are easy to read and understand are "Feng Shui Made Easy" by William Spear and "Clear your Clutter, Change Your Life" by Karen Kingston. Feng Shui is not going away....it's just growing every year. Having a knowledge and understanding of Feng Shui will, I believe, help your business GROW and prosper. So many of you work so hard at your business plan for the year and perhaps adding just a bit of reading will help you in the long run.
If you are interested in seeing a look at Feng Shui Consultants who have registered around the world, you can look at http://internationalfengshuiguild.org
There is a membership fee for this so many consultants are not registered but it gives you an idea how many of us are out there now.
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & New York providing Feng Shui Consultations for New York and all of Long Island for homes, businesses, offices, corporations, renovations, pre purchase and new construction with on site visits and Feng Shui distance consultations are also available. Please visit http://www.FengShuiLI.com for more information.
Great post as always! Thank you for the link, I know we will need it. Have a great morning!
I always see some of the sense of Feng Shui, but I have a hard time reconciling it with my Christian beliefs. So I've kind of treated the same way as yoga. I teach yoga. I just pulled out all the New Agey or Eastern religion stuff. Then I'm left with the baic structure of a much needed concept, without anything controversial.
Thank you for sharing interesting post.. Hope you had a great mothers day!!
Carole..you just inreased the Realtor applications for Feng Shui istruction three fold! LOL
Lorinda, I just believe it will help you in business....maybe sooner then you think. The books might be helpful.
Hi Lisa, I am Catholic and have never thought of Feng Shui as a religion. We use sage which native americans have been using for years and we seek to open up the energy. It's gotten such a bad rap its a shame.
Andy, Thank you, I did. Thank you for your comment.
Joan, Believe me, it's in your neighborhood and you don't even know it (I only know that because I knew a Feng Shui Consultant who lived in New Hampshire :) But Canadians now can get Continuing Education Credits by taking Feng Shui!
Carole- Ok I admit, I would be one who doesn't know a lot about Feng Shui, but do have an interest. Thank you for sharing your recommended reading.
Carole--isn't it gratifying to see all that good chi go around?!
Carole, I was one of the doubting Thomases about Feng Shui, and its mystical hocus pocus at one point in my life. But I have learned about increasing energy by how you organize an envrionment. If I lived in your area I would partner up with you on the Realtor side in a heartbeat. An expert like you could assist with a Stager and Realtor team and clean up. I think these other Realtors just don't get it yet.
I sold real estate in the east bay area, near san francisco. I became a believer in Feng Shui, even if I couldn't pronounce it. ;-)
I"m glad you are sharing your wisdom with us!
Acquiring a property is one of the most important decisions anyone can make in a lifetime. Buying or selling real estate can be so overwhelming, especially, when you don’t know what property to choose or what to do when searching for a new home. Selling a home, scouting out a new location for a business, or buying multiple properties is when you should not only hire a qualified real estate agent, but a Feng Shui expert as well. Yet; the optimal time to call in a Feng Shui expert is even before a home is built.
Some people say they have a gut feeling when they find the right property; they just know they’re at home. But, why not have some basis to form that feeling. Your gut is probably a good indication that you’re on the right track and the property is the right choice for you; nevertheless, the placement and direction of the home or business, in question, can be analyzed before a purchase is made. This gives you more than a gut feeling; it gives you choice information. A lot of Feng Shui problems can be prevented in the planning stage. Before committing designs onto paper, Feng Shui Real Estate can consult with you on optimising the flow of beneficial energy throughout your home or development. The result can be more profitable for you, as the character of your venture will improve; thereby drawing increased favourable consideration from potential buyers. If you acknowledge and understand the all-pervasive life energy (Chi), you can affect the whole tenor of your well-being. Simple things like placing your furniture the wrong way, using wrong colours, and elemental conflicts (i.e. having the water 'refrigerator' next to the fire 'stove', can create factors that impact negatively on your life.Is it a Superstition? It really doesn't matter. What does matter is that if you are a builder it behooves you to know Feng-Shui as it relates to building. Whether you believe in it or not, feng-shui is seen by millions as an ancient science full of philosophy and practical wisdom.For more view- realtydigest.blogspot.com
Carole--People like working with people who understand them and do not discount their beliefs. I appreciate the limited knowledge I have of Feng Shui learned mostly from your posts. Thanks for the tip!
Kim, I hope you pick up one of those books, you'll get a client looking for a good realtor sooner or later.
Real World, I LOVE to see good chi everywhere I go---and hope I find it :) Thank you for your comment.
Gary, I sure wish they did. With as many realtors as I know, there is only one with an understanding of it..nevertheless, they shouldn't make fun of a potential client's beliefs. That's not right.
Riathareja, Thank you for your detailed comment. Feng Shui is certainly helpful in new construction and in all matters relating to real estate.
Teri, thank you for reading my posts. I hope they help you one day when you get a contact from a potential client with a belief in Feng Shui (or Vastu).
Hi Carole,
Just arrived back home from my trip north to my Uncle's memorial service and catching up on the posts I missed. I loved reading this post about how much feng shui has grown. The west is finally catching up to the east, or I should say the 'new' west is finally catching up the east since the Aboriginal people of north America practiced their own version of feng shui for as long as their tribes have been in existence. They've always been in rhythm with nature and it WORKED.
I'm going to be studying feng shui as much as I can in the coming years as I feel it is very valuable for me to know this in order to help my home buyers and sellers.
Interesting email! Thanks for sharing this....
Jo
Hi Jo, I hope the trip wasn't too stressful for you and that you're feeling ok. It was sad to get that email and the one person I know does not handle that part of Long Island---so I have no one to send her to. I guess when enough people demand it, realtors will learn more.
Hi Carole, you raised a very important issue. It is our responsibility as REALTORs to help clients to the best of our ability. I have much appreciation for your field. Even though I don't dare to consult my clients on feng shui, I have a local consultant who will be happy to take care of them. As more and more clients are interested in getting an expert opinion for their existing or a new home, I want to make sure they are in good hands.
Marzena, This woman wanted someone to go and preview homes for her. So even though there are many consultants, she would have to pay one to ride around with a realtor which is not possible. With a basic understanding of the principles of Feng Shui, when you get a client you can go look at the homes instead of wasting your time. The realtor I work with does this but she doesn't do that area of Long Island.
Carole, at least I spell it right now (thanks to you)- no more Fung Shui!
Laurie, She is not at all in your area or I would have give you a crash course in Feng Shui for this client!