The real estate market has changed in recent years. For example, the old adage, “location, location, location,” has been augmented to include Feng Shui principles like placement, colors, and numbers. This is because Feng Shui has grown in popularity in architecture and interior design. Thus, house numbers play an important part in the house buying decision for an increasing number of buyers.
Recently, I spent some time helping my clients find their “right” house. After scouring neighborhoods, floor plans, school districts, and amenities, we settled on a few finalists. These houses were in the same vicinity. All things being equal, it came down to emotions and the “deal.” One house in particular, seemed like quite a deal. The layout was nice, the color was to their liking, it had all the modern amenities. I called my buyer to schedule a time with his wife to have a look.
On the way over to the house that was for sale, I explained to my clients that if they liked the house, we could probably negotiate 10% more off of the already low asking price. They were excited about the prospect of finally coming to a closing decision — and a deal to boot.
As we pulled into the driveway, all was well…or so I thought. I parked the car. Unbuckled my seat belt. My clients stepped out of the car while I gathered my folder and phone. No more than 5 seconds passed when I heard the back door of the car open again. My clients got back into the car and said, “Let’s go.”
I was shocked. “What’s the matter?” I inquired. My client quickly replied that they couldn’t and wouldn’t buy that house. I pressed for more information. He said, “look at the 4s.” I looked up at the house and searched for the house number. I found them and read, “444.”
“Why would I buy a house that screams ‘death, death, death?'”
The revelation came upon me in an instant. My client was right. The number “4” is pronounced very similarly to the word “death” in Chinese. So there was no arguing with that. What caught me off guard was that my client was not Chinese. So why was he so concerned?
“I will have a lot of difficulty selling that house when it is time for us to move.”
Sure enough, my client was right. Nine months later, that house is still on the market.
When it comes to Feng Shui numerology and house numbers, I’ve learned that it is better to play it safe. Look for lucky house numbers first like the number “9”. On the Feng Shui 8-sided compass, the most auspicious direction is “South”. It is at the top of the compass. Fame, fortune, festivity, red, fire, birds, summer, and the number “9” is associated with the South. A house number like “999” would be very lucky and desirable.
Here is something else you may not realize about “9”. It is the only number where if you multiply it by another single-digit number, then add the sum of the two digits in the answer, the equation equals “9”. For example, 9 times 8 equals 72. Add 7 with 2 and you get 9. Can you see the appeal of this number?
The second luckiest number is “8”. This number sounds similar to the word “prosperity” in Chinese. The combination of 8 with other numbers like 2 also sound similar to “easy prosperity” in Chinese. Thus, 28 is also good for a house number.
