Long life and the Feng Shui factor

Triskaidekaphobia afflicts mainly Europeans. It is the fear of the number 13 and it is relatively common to find high-rise buildings that skip a 13th floor or streets with no house 13.

Maori buyers can be put off if they learn a tragic death occurred in a house or if it is near a tapu site.

Even so, superstitions have not been a major consideration for most New Zealanders - but they are when selling property to Asians.

Asians avoid the numbers four, 14 and 44, says James Chan of Bayleys Commercial Property.

Four is unlucky because the Chinese word is similar to the word for death. On the other hand eight denotes wealth, six sounds like prosperity and three promises health.

A Chinese investor bought 99 Queen St in central Auckland because nine is a "good number" - meaning longevity.

Chan says people from most Asian countries are superstitious - even professionals such as doctors, lawyers and dentists. As a result, some apartment buildings with Asian residents have no fourth floor.

Eric Koh, of Barfoot & Thompson in Howick, and Chan both warn that Asian buyers give properties next to areas associated with death - cemeteries, funeral parlours or churches - a wide berth.

Most New Zealanders would rather live next to a cemetery than a petrol station, but an Asian buyer would choose the petrol station.

One Asian investor wanted to buy office space in Symonds St close to the Sheraton Hotel and near the junction with Karangahape Rd. But when he spotted the cemetery nearby that was the end of the deal.

"The most important thing about a house from an Asian perspective is that it has a good feeling when you enter it," Koh explains. "If it has a calm, peaceful atmosphere the house has good energy."

Most Asians like bright, light colours that give "a bigger feel" to a place.

They don't like older brick houses that appear dull or dark interiors with heavy wallpapers. That's why older homes don't appeal to most Asian buyers.

When it comes to business, red and yellow are powerful colours denoting wealth, and green balances emotions and brings peace.

Any house at a T-intersection facing an oncoming road is to be avoided.

Koh says most Asians do believe in the ancient practice of Feng Shui and have a basic knowledge of it.

Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) literally means "wind water" and is not a religion or magic.

It's described as the ability to understand and use environmental forces to bring happiness and success to someone's life.

According to Feng Shui, everything on earth is made up of energy called Qi. The energies in and surrounding properties can be positive or negative and, by placing themselves in a positive environment, people can maximise the positive Qi, and flourish.

Kerry Douglas set up her Simply Feng Shui consultancy in Kohimarama after studying with an international centre in Australia.

Her website describes Feng Shui as "the art of placement" and "where you live is what you become".

Today many architects incorporate Feng Shui into their buildings and interior decorators use the placement of furniture, mirrors, plants and other objects to appeal to prospective buyers.

Douglas says a Feng Shui consultation takes up to three hours, depending on the size of the home or business.

She has to know the age of the house and work out "the facing direction" using a special compass with Chinese characters.

Then she can make suggestions to improve the energy in a building by rearranging furniture, placing mirrors or plants and introducing water fountains.

Flowing water should always be clean as it represents wealth, abundance, added income, wisdom and financial success. This is why Chinese restaurants often have a fountain at the entrance.

"Most of the time negative energies can be remedied, but if they can't, I tell people to move or not to buy."

Douglas says the front door is important and is "like the mouth of the building". It should be clear of rubbish, large trees and clutter and should open to the inside.

The front door should never face the back door because the energy will go through the house, leaving the occupants feeling lethargic.

Instead, it should open into a lounge or living/dining area where residents spend most of their time. This is where most of the energy needs to stay.

A bathroom or toilet should not be seen from the front door. Neither should the front door open near a bedroom, because the residents will be awake at night buzzing with energy. Bedrooms should be away from the front door and at the back of a house where it's quiet.

A section can be square, rectangular or circular, as long as the dimensions are evenly balanced.

A triangular section isn't good, especially if it's wide at the front and narrow at the back because the wealth drains out the back.

The landscaping of a property can also be a sales factor.

It is best not to have plants that are sharp and pointed, such as cacti. Trees with large, rounded leaves are preferred, especially "money trees".

Plenty of light as an energy source should come into a house or building.

"However, not too much light either," says Douglas. "It's a balance - the yin and the yang."

Previous occupants can leave negative impressions behind, which can affect the new owners.

However, this can be remedied by "space clearing" involving the use of things such as incense..

Overall, a house or business premises shouldn't look tired or run down or the people living in it will also feel tired and rundown.

"This goes for most people," Douglas says.

"Everyone feels better in themselves after they've painted their house or had a spring clean."