Field Guide to Feng Shui And Vastu
(Updated February 2009)
Feng Shui (meaning Wind and Water in Chinese) is the ancient art of placement to promote harmony, wealth, success and health. A working knowledge of Feng Shui can help when buying or selling a home in today's multicultural world. Vaastu is an ancient Indian system of harnessing the positive energy of the environment to benefit those living there. Vaastu uses a complex, 3-layer grid system to provide the best layout for a home, office or commercial site. An ideal house, according to Vaastu, is perfectly square with a central courtyard. Get more information on these ancient arts and their role in real estate with the articles, books and websites gathered here. (D. Winchester, Information Specialist)
Feng Shui Tips
- The more burners you have on your stove, the greater wealth you will have
- Avoid sleeping under beams in the bedroom
- Avoid having the stairs as the first thing you see when entering a house
Source: Feng shui: the Chinese art of placement, (New York,NY : Arkana, 1983).
Vaastu Tips
- The best shape for a house is a square
- Wood is considered the best building material
- Circular staircases should be avoided
Source: Vaastu: the Indian art of placement, (Rochester, NY: Destiny Books, 2000).
Feng Shui
Handouts for Customers: 5 Feng Shui Concepts to Help a Home Sell, (REALTOR® Magazine Online, 2009).
Sell your house the easy way with feng shui, (About.com: Feng Shui, 2009).
Right vibes for 'successful' office space, (Deccan Herald, Jan. 16, 2009).
Embracing feng shui at home, (RealtyTimes, Nov. 25, 2008).
Distressed Homes Get a Feng Shui Lift: Enlisting a feng shui expert for a spiritual housecleaning may help move a distressed home. Here's how it works, (REALTOR® Magazine, Nov. 2008).
My space, (Intheblack, June 2008). Q
Five feng shui staging tips, (REALTOR® Magazine Online - The Weekly Book Scan, Sept. 21, 2007).
A healthy office, a healthy mind?, (Forbes, May 2007).
The Bagua Map: Creating positive energy in a home, (Realty Times, June 12, 2006).
Home & family--cranky consumer: finding feng shui at home, (Wall Street Journal, Jan. 2006). Q
Using feng shui to help a home sell, (Realty Times, Feb. 10, 2004).
Is feng shui useful to Realtors?, (Realty Times, Apr. 3, 2003).
Vaastu
Principles of Vaastu Shastra, (Homedesignfind.com, Dec. 19, 2008).
Vaastu home is in harmony with the sun, (San Francisco Chronicle, Sept. 3, 2008).
5 elements that rule, (The Telegraph, May 2007).
Can Higher Powers Sell a Home? Learn about four alternative approaches to attracting buyers, (REALTOR® Magazine, Aug. 2006).
The correct orientation, (Building Design & Construction, Mar. 2005). Q
Beyond bamboo: India's feng shui, (Wall Street Journal, Oct. 3, 2003). Q
Vastu Living, (www.vastuliving.com).
Vastu sastra, (www.india4u.com).
Vastu frequently asked questions, (www.vastucreations, 2003).
Feng shui's Indian cousin, (South Coast Today, 2000).
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The Learning Annex® Presents Feng Shui (Adobe eReader)
The Essential Feng Shui (Overdrive AudioBook)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Sell your home faster with feng shui, (Arroyo Grande, CA: Dragon Chi Publications, 2001). NA 2755 Z7
Vaastu: the Indian art of placement, (Rochester, NY: Destiny Books, 2000). BF 1779 Ar9
The Vastu Vidya handbook: the Indian feng shui, (New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2000). BF 1779 P34
Feng Shui handbook, (San Francisco, CA: Aquarian, 1991). NA 2755 W17f
Interior design with Feng Shui, (New York, NY: Arkana, 1987). NA 2755 R73
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Preparing and Staging a House For Sale
Field Guide to Diversity for REALTORS®
Field Guide to Business Etiquette when Working with Other Cultures
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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