Imagine arriving at your new home on moving-in day only to find

that there is someone already living there—no room for your

belongings; no room for your provisions; in fact, there is no room

for you or your family!

On a subconscious level, that is often how potential buyers feel

when they first walk into an occupied listing. They are so

overwhelmed by the presence of the occupants and their stuff that

they can't even imagine themselves moving-in. They will discount

the property within seconds.

Agents know that people, even investors, buy homes emotionally

and then justify their decisions with rational. It is critical to appeal

to the emotions of a potential buyer through the presentation of the

home at show time. Sellers have a small window of opportunity to

capture the buyer's heart.

These days, sellers have to go through hoops to make potential

buyers feel welcome. It is up to the sellers' agents to guide them. In

this respect, Feng Shui is a helpful tool in creating a "homecoming"

atmosphere that welcomes prospects, enticing them to buy.

What is Feng Shui? It is an ancient art that has gained a great deal

of exposure in the past decade. The Chinese have used Feng Shui

for thousands of years to create harmony with their surroundings

and foster good fortune. Essentially, it is orienting and reorienting

the environment in order to create a desired outcome.

For sellers, that desired outcome is a fast sale, with little

inconvenience and the greatest profit possible.

Recognize the psychology of a home buyer and not just any home

buyer, but the buyer who is going to purchase that home. What is

the listing's unique selling point? Who will want to buy it? How

will the buyer find the home and once they have, what will capture

their emotions?

Clear the clutter and clean, clean, clean! In order to make room for

the buyers' emotional attachment the home must be free of dirt and

debris. Often, people are far more tolerant of their own messiness

than they are a stranger's. Clutter is a subconscious weight that

discourages people. Have the sellers purge! A housekeeper and a

landscaper will help.

Fix everything that is in disrepair. Anything broken in the home

manifests into the daily lives of those living in the home. Over

time, these minor issues manifest as bigger issues in the form of

frustration, arguments and broken relationships. While homeowners

may become accustomed to the squeaky door, the broken handle,

the leaky sink, etc.—potential buyers will notice them immediately.

They will sense the irritable energy and will choose not to buy.

Remove obstructions. Make sure that it is effortless to walk from

the car to the door as well as throughout the home and yard.

Remove bulky equipment and furniture. Then, place the remaining

furniture in an "easy to move around" manner. Make sure windows

and doors glide open and are not blocked. Do not store anything

behind doors, so that they can open all the way.

Trigger happy memories. Most people are sensitive to scent and log

memories with smell. Play on comfort scents from apple pie to

chocolate chip cookies—something that is reminiscent of home.

You can use candles, potpourri, air fresheners or the real thing.

Improve air quality. Purified oxygen is energizing. If the sellers are

heavy smokers or have pets, ionize the home. Also, bathrooms are

full of toxins that can spread throughout the house. Keep bathrooms

immaculate with the toilet seats down.

Lastly, make room, literally. The buyers are coming home! *

Tamara Larisa Tyrbouslu has been practicing Feng Shui since 1992.

As a licensed real estate agent she understands the relationship

between agents, sellers, buyers and homes. She teaches a Feng Shui

class designed specifically for real estate agents in the Las Vegas

area. For more information, call Tamara at 702-730-2828.